Alden Richards emotional as he pays tribute to late mom at Upsurge concert

An excerpt from Alden Richards's thank-you speech at his successful Upsurge concert: "Ang hirap kasi na parang meron kang na-achieve, pero pag na-achieve mo yung bagay na yun, wala na yung taong pag-aalalayan mo. Yun yung medyo masakit lang, kasi hindi niya naabutan ang lahat ng 'to."

Alden Richards got emotional as he recalled fond memories of his late mother, Rosario Faulkerson, during his successful Upsurge concert.

The concert was held at Kia Theater in Cubao, Quezon City, last night, May 27.

In his thank-you speech, Alden said, “Sa nanay ko po na matagal nang wala, siguro almost 10 years.

“Ang sayang lang po kasi hindi niya nakikita lahat ng ito.

“Ang hirap kasi na parang meron kang na-achieve, pero pag na-achieve mo yung bagay na yun, wala na yung taong pag-aalalayan mo.

“Yun yung medyo masakit lang, kasi hindi niya naabutan ang lahat ng ‘to.”

Alden was only 16 years old when his mom died of pneumonia.

To this day, the 25-year-old Kapuso actor said that his mom remains his inspiration to become the best that he can be.

He continued, "Kasi every day, when you lose someone na napakahalaga sa ‘yo, ang hirap maka-move on, kahit nine years na.

“Siguro naiintindihan ako ng mga taong nawalan din.

“Alam nila yung feeling na gusto mo nakikita ka nilang nagpe-perform.

"Gusto mo nakikita ka nilang nili-live out yung dream for them."

MAKING HIS MOM PROUD.
At one point, Alden revealed his mom’s dream role for him.

“Sabi niya nung buhay pa siya, gusto niya ako maging Sergio ng Marimar,” said Alden.

To which, his avid fans responded, “Pwede!”

Like what he often says about his mom, Alden reiterated that it was she who really wanted him to become an actor.

He added, “Lahat ng lakas ng loob, lahat po ng challenges sa buhay ko, yung nanay ko po, alam ko nandiyan lang siya.

“So, Ma, wherever you are, this concert is for you.

“And, I love you so much. Hindi na magbabago every day.”

In YES! Magazine’s January 2017 cover story, Alden revealed that part of the reason why his mom was cremated, when she passed away in 2008, was because his family couldn’t afford to bury her remains at the cemetery.

"Walang-wala ako no’n," Alden recalled.

"As in, zero po ako no’ng mga panahon na ’yon. Hindi pa ako nakaka-first base sa showbiz no’n, may ilang mga commercials lang."

To date, Alden and his family reserved a special area in their Laguna home where they’ve placed a framed photo of his mother and an urn that bears her ashes.

GRATEFUL ALDEN.
Another highlight from the Upsurge concert was when Alden admitted that live performance is not his forte.

"Hindi naman po talaga ako performer. I'm an actor by heart," said the actor and singer, whose Wish I May album earned a Diamond record.

But with sheer determination and guidance from above, Alden said that he realized that nothing is really impossible.

"Si Lord talaga works in mysterious ways...

"Kaya always believe in yourself and believe there's somebody up there who makes your wishes come true.

"Lahat ng wish ko, tinupad Niya."

--PEP.ph