Television and movie icon Alicia Alonzo is now serving as a lay person at the Caryana Monastery in Pampanga.

In an interview with Julius Babao for his latest YouTube vlog, the actress opened up about what led her to embrace a life of prayer and service.

"Ilang taon na ba ako ngayon, I am turning 79 sa June. All my life puro gusto ko ang ginawa ko... Ngayon naman naisip ko itong age kong 'to, kung ano pa natitira siguro dapat lang ibigay ko na sa Kanya (pertaining to God)," she said.

Alicia discovered Caryana through a friend. "Meron kasi akong neighbor sa village namin na member siya dito. Tapos inimbita niya ako na mag-simba dito so nagsimba ako and then nakilala ko 'yung founder si Father Odon (de Castro) tapos nagkaroon ng recollection."

Before joining the monastery, Alicia was already actively involved in charismatic church activities. "Medyo active na ako sa charismatic eh... Pero dumating 'yung time after so many years na parang may kulang. Hindi ko alam kung ano so 'pag nagpe-pray ako, ang prayer ko talaga nun kay Lord, 'Lord please show me the way, show me the truth. You're the way, the truth, and the life.' So nadala ako dito ng friend ko."

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What started as occasional visits soon became more frequent. "I kept on coming talaga, hanggang sa every weekend andito ako. Punta na ako ng Friday and papayagan nila akong mag-stay hanggang Sunday for the mass."

The first time that Alicia stayed in the monastery for a longer period was after she was hospitalized. "Akala ko okay na 'yung pasimba-simba pero nung time na nagkasakit ako, na-vertigo ako eh, na-ospital ako, hindi ako nakapag-trabaho, so dito ako nag-request ako kung pwede ako mag-stay. Nag-stay ako dito for one week so nakita ko 'yung buhay so dun ako parang nag-umpisa na maging seryoso, 'yung regular na talaga weekends ko dito tapos pag Holy Week, minsan 'yung buong Lenten season, 40 days, ganyan."

On her daily routine in the monastery, she shared: "Dito ginagawa ko nagjo-join ako sa prayers nila, like merong Divine office, we pray seven times a day... Everyday 'yun we start the prayer at 5:30 in the morning and then tumutulong ako kung saan ako pwedeng makatulong," she relayed.

Now in this new chapter of her life, Alicia said she’s found a deeper sense of faith and purpose. "Nung nandito na ako, parang feeling ko naramdaman ko 'yung freedom, parang I'm free... basta ang focus mo lang is sana makarating ako, parang ang goal ko lang is sana makarating ako sa langit. Salvation."