Screengrab from Fast Talk with Boy Abunda

In a time when the showbiz industry is rocked by allegations of sexual abuse involving personalities like Sandro Mulach and Gerald Santos, veteran actress Rita Avila bravely shared her own harrowing experience on Instagram. Her heartfelt post sheds light on the dark side of the entertainment world, offering both reflection and a message of hope.

Rita began her post with a poignant statement: "Nakakalungkot na may mga BIKTIMA at NAMBIKTIMA sexually sa SHOWBIZ. Pero hindi naman LAHAT." She acknowledged the existence of abuse in the industry but also highlighted that not every production she worked with was tainted by such issues.

She revealed a disturbing "SECRET" from her past, recounting a chilling encounter with a director before she even became an actress. The director not only exploited her but also tried to "sell" her to a producer. Rita vividly described how the director would forcibly kiss her, leaving her feeling disgusted and terrified.

What made her story even more heart-wrenching was the reaction of her mother, who seemed unfazed when Rita sought her help. Little did she know, her mother had been receiving "incentives" from the director, making the situation even more painful. Rita also recalled how she narrowly escaped another horrific incident involving her cousin-in-law, pushed into an unsafe situation by the same director.

In her post, Rita reflected on why she chose to share her experience, connecting it to a previous message she had posted. She wrote, "Kanya-kanyang kapalaran at paglalakbay sa buhay. May mga taong gagawa ng MALI sa atin, tayo man ay may gagawing MALI dahil di pa natin alam ang gagawin." Her words carry a powerful message of resilience, growth, and the importance of learning from life's painful experiences.

Instead of harboring bitterness, Rita encourages others to rise above their trauma, saying, "Imbis na MANAPAK, MANG-AKAY." It's a reminder that healing and understanding can lead to a better path, even after enduring the darkest moments.

Rita Avila's revelation is a courageous step in the ongoing conversation about abuse in the showbiz industry. Her story adds to the growing chorus of voices demanding change and accountability, not just in the entertainment world, but everywhere.