Veteran TV and movie actor Ricardo Cepeda. ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Veteran TV and movie actor Ricardo Cepeda was released from prison in Tuguegarao last Thursday after an 11-month incarceration.

Cepeda said he was "very thankful" to be released, though it took a while before it sunk in that he is now out of prison.

"Yung unang labas ko, ayoko munang mag-celebrate nung first day, kasi disbelief eh. Eh yung as opposed to na na-arrest ako, a year ago, na feeling ko bangungot lang na baka I'll wake up na hindi. Akala ko when they see the case, napag-uusapan lang sa korte na ‘wala pala siya'. Akala talaga namin two months lang, akala talaga namin mahaba na yung two months eh," he told ABS-CBN News on Monday.

Cepeda admitted that he was angry in his first few days in jail.

"Sino bang -- pardon the word -- t*nga who doesn't know better na sinama ako. I've been hearing people filing complaints, pero never nila ako sinama," he said.

READ: Ricardo Cepeda released after posting bail

Cepeda was arrested in October 2023 after a syndicated estafa complaint was filed against him and 11 other respondents. Only the actor and another individual were arrested. 

"Yung inaccuse sa akin is lumalabas sa medyo na meron akong kaso na syndicated estafa. It's not me. I am one in list of 12 accused. Dalawa kaming na-arrest. And we go to court. The (other) ten, they have no idea where to find them. The reason ako yung nahuli, kasi visible ako dahil wala akong idea na may kaso against me, na may kasalanan ako na dapat ako magtago," said Cepeda.

"I've been hearing may mga complaints about this (company), pero hindi ako kasama," he added.

Cepeda initially believed that it would not take long before he would get released, but this was not the case. He shared that due to some delays out of his control, it took a long time before his petition for bail was approved by the court.

"Tapos it got longer, doon ko naisip na yung frustration kasi comes in, pag sinasabi mong dapat hindi ako nandito, bakit ganito?" he said.

Frustration and depression kicked in for the actor.

"Napansin ko, you get depressed when you say ‘bakit ako? Bakit nangyari sa akin to?' But when you find out na marami ka palang kasama, na ganun ang situation. Hindi rin sila dapat nandito. You start analyzing na, maybe your mission is to be a witness na maraming ganitong kaso," said Cepeda.

Cepeda said he turned to God and strengthened his faith that all will be well.

"Eventually, acceptance na. You're praying. Sabi mo ‘Lord, alam kong may plano ka, we'll just go with your plan," said Cepeda. "So tanggap ko na, I'm inside. Make the most of it. Mag-aral ka. Read books. Get more knowledge."

"Watch your diet, do your fitness. Para paglabas mo hindi ka mukhang victim," he added.

Last Friday, Benipayo announced the good news on social media that her husband will finally be free. But Cepeda admitted that getting out of jail needed some adjustment.

"Kasi yung reality mo nagbago na naman eh. From being inside, makakalabas ka. Baka bawiin na naman sa yo. Your liberty can easily be taken away for you for many reasons. Kasi wala kang liberty tanggap mo na, then meron na ulit," he explained.

"It took me two days bago ko natanggap na I'm out na. Thursday lang nangyari eh. As the days go by, mas nakakampante ako na I'm actually out," Cepeda added.

Benipayo regularly flew to Cagayan to visit Cepeda which helped the actor gather some strength to face his ordeal.

"I'm so so thankful to wifey ko, to my family staying strong, friends and relatives who showed up and who gave support. Strangers, yan ang nakakatouch. People you don't know, you never met them, yet marami silang nagdadasal," said the actor.

"The only power you can consider is God. You take whatever God has planned for you. Something that's going to be good for you. You only suffer because you're not listening and try doing it your way."