Maalaala Mo Kaya Jan 28: Enchong Dee Gets Lost In Drug Addiction

Maalaala Mo Kaya’s Jan. 28 tells the story of a 14-year-old boy named Jeck (Enchong Dee) who loses himself into drugs to alleviate the emptiness and loneliness he feels while growing up without guidance. Ever since his parents, Tonton Gutierrez and Lara Quigaman, decide to go abroad for “greener pastures,” he felt nothing but sadness, eventually leading to drug addiction. In the hope of rehabilitation, Jeck’s parents decide to bring him to the U.S. to start a new life. Although excited at first, he slowly fell into the same dark cycle he was previously in because he felt his parents did not have time for him. Things gets worse when he resolves to burglary, defrauding credit cards and stealing to maintain his addiction. Amidst the struggle, Jeck’s family does all they can to bring back his lost son.

Enchong Dee as Jeck Gets Into a Cycle of Addiction

After many years of being abroad, Jeck’s mom, Baby, finally visits home. Jeck and his siblings are shocked to see her. She was bald and appeared weak. They later found out that she was battling cancer and had to go through chemotherapy. Jeck immediately felt guilty for what he has done. While he was deep into drugs, his mom was very ill miles away. This made him decide to stop. In California, he did stop, but not for long.

He was thrilled to finally be with his family but everyone just got too busy with their lives, and he again felt neglected. His friends weren’t of any help. Instead, they would steal to get high. One crime led to another and eventually he got imprisoned along with the dreadful symptoms of withdrawal. In desperation, the family begged Jeck’s father to bail him out. This plea meant that the family would need to raise $100,000. Further, it would mean that the family may lose everything they have worked so hard for. Love prevails, however, and Jeck is bailed out. He tries his best to stay clean.

Jeck was doing well for a time with his job. Even his dad felt so proud of him. But just when things were turning out okay, Jeck gets arrested for credit card fraud. While law enforcers were putting the cuffs on Jeck, his father gets a heart attack. Not only did Jeck end up in jail (again), but his time, he lost his family almost completely. He was despised. Because of this he embraced his life in jail to pay for his faults.

Things Get Dark for Enchong Dee

After two years, Jeck is released from prison and goes back home to the Philippines to start over. His siblings helped him out but he still felt ashamed for what he has done. His family still does not trust him and he had to face that. That feeling of not being wanted kicked in again and in utter defeat, he went back to drugs. This time, it was ten times worse. Drugs destroyed him completely.

His addiction changed him. He was not Jeck anymore. When his father visited, they got into a heated argument saying only ill things. His father left enraged while Jeck left the house for the streets. He was homeless. His mom, on the other hand, wanted to look for her son nonetheless. Even if her husband chose not to help, she searched for Jeck herself. Soon enough she found him by the side of the road, cold and dirty. With tears of joy, the mother and son got reunited. She affirmed her love for him and him that she will help him through his recovery and that she will never leave him. She only asks him to help her help him.

Enchong Dee Finally Submits to Rehabilitation

After going through rehab, Jeck finally had a clear mind. He thanks his mother for his changed life. He laid out all his goals but most of all, he apologized for the things he had done. His mother assures him that the family has always loved him. The best thing is the father and son have forgiven each other. After some time, Jeck volunteered in a rehabilitation center. Soon, he opened his own center named, the Turning Point Wellness Center. Jeck strongly believes that each life is important and each one has the ability to change as long as there are people who will love and support unconditionally.

As Ms. Charo Santos says, drug addiction is a family disease. It is not only the addict, but also all his loved ones, who become its victims. The only thing that can save a life that has totally lost its way is true acceptance and a family’s unconditional love. “There can be no love without understanding. And with understanding there is always hope.“

‘Wag palagpasin ang kwento ni Jeck na siguradong kapupulutan ng aral. #MMKLost, Sabado pagkatapos ng YFSF Kids. #MMK25 pic.twitter.com/omXKnbuYIP

— MMKOfficial (@MMKOfficial) January 26, 2017