Did you know that JM Ibarra used to be a carpool driver?

That’s what he revealed in a recent interview on the weekly online talk show PUSH Bets of PUSH ABS-CBN.

“Before ako mag-PBB, yung pinaka-last kong ginawa is yung pagka-carpool talaga,” JM mentioned.

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But aside from that, the Pinoy Big Brother alumnus also shared that he took on various other jobs as a certified "raketero" and breadwinner.

“Nag-start ako doon sa pag-aahente nga, doon sa negosyo namin. And then, noong nawala yun, doon na pumasok na yung kung anong raket, nagja-judge doon ako ng kung saan-saang pageant sa Quezon Province,” he recalled.

JM was referring to their coco lumber business, which he recalled was a challenge that he tried to keep afloat.

"Simula nung nawala yung stepfather ho namin, dun ang naging magulo yung negosyo namin, yung pasok ng pera sa pamilya ho namin,” he shared.

The rising star added that despite working on it, it ultimately didn’t work in their favor.

"Kahit habang nag-aaral pa ako noong college, nagsusubok na, nasusubok na rin ako noong pag-aahente, biyahe pa Batangas at deliver kung saan sa hardware. And then, noong time na yun, peak pa noong negosyo, noong kalakasan pa. And then noong medyo pahina na, sinubukan ko rin, sinubukan ko, sinubukan ko i-handle kung kaya. Sinubukan ko tulungan si mama kung kaya pa bang i-salba yung kahoy-yan. And then, wala. Hindi kinaya,” he admitted.

This also became a turning point for JM, as he decided not to step back from his studies in becoming a pilot and instead pursued different jobs along the way.

"Sobrang raketero ko ng taon. More on raket dito, raket dyan. Kung saan may dumating na trabaho, nandun ako. Iyon yung days before talaga pumasok ko ng PBB. And ayun lang, nakafocus lang ako kung saan ako kikita nun,” JM revealed.

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What started out as something to support himself eventually became a way to help his loved ones too, something JM clarified that he did wholeheartedly as the eldest sibling.

"As in, noon nung una, ang nasa isip ko lang nun para sa sariling ano lang, para sa sariling gastos lang, para sa sariling pangangailangan lang. And then patagal lang patagal, hindi na iwasan. At hindi rin naman siguro obligasyon ng bilang panganay, kung baga kusang loob ko rin, na ginagawa para sa pamilya yung pagtatrabaho that time,” he explained.

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He went on, ”Parang nature na siguraduhin ng mga panganay. Ganun sa, the same time, lalaki din ako. Parang, wala ho sa bokabularyo ko ba kung susuko o hindi. Laban lang, palagi lang ganun,” the PBB alumnus added.

JM also shared that supporting and helping their mom has also become a motivation.

"Wala na hong naisip ko lang na wala nang ibang maasahan din yung mama ko. Wala na ibang maasasandalan. So, siyempre, bilang panganay, eh, hindi ko man ho obligasyon yun (ginawa ko pa rin). Wala rin naman ho yung papa ko that time. Yung biological (father) ko. So, technically, ayun, technically, walang ibang maasahan yung mama ko. Kung hindi, ako lang, yun lang yung tinatak sa utak ko noon."

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But the reality star also emphasized that his younger brothers also helped the family in their own way.

"Naka-focus lang kami sa kung saan kami kikita ng pera. At halimbawa yun sa bunso ko, kapatid, pinagsasabay niya yung trabaho at pag-aaral. At yun sa pangalawa ko naman, kapatid, e, pamilyadong tao na kasi. So, kung baga obligado talagang humanap ng trabaho."

You can watch the full episode here:https://youtu.be/XBLeLF9YRrM?si=0Bn95S9slkqWdokl

Aside from the PUSH YouTube Channel, it can also be streamed on abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz.

—By Jemuel Tandoc