Before her artista days, Francine Diaz endured financially challenging times, when simply putting food on the table was already a struggle.
On PEP Live last Friday, April 10, 2026, she had no qualms recalling those days and the moment she told herself, "I want to help my family."
The third child from a brood of six, Francine elaborates: "Tanda ko nun kasi wala kaming kuryente nito.
"Tapos naalimpungatan ako. Tapos nakita ko si Mama nagpapaypay siya sa amin—yung karton lang na ginupit. Tapos baby pa nun yung bunso namin."
Apparently, their electricity was cut off due to non-payment of overdue bills.
"And then, ramdam mo yung lahat ng kagat ng lamok sa yo kasi hindi ka naman makapagkumot, e, kasi ang init. Yung pumapasok lang na hangin is yung galing sa labas.
"And then, pag ikaw naman napaypayan ni Mama, may konting lamig."
It was definitely a hard time as her family didn't have enough means to buy groceries.
"And then, nung kinabukasan, wala namang gatas yung bunso namin, so nag-am na lang siya."
Am refers to rice water or a thin rice porridge that is typically used by Filipinos as a weaning food, but not recommended by doctors as a substitute for breast milk.
The 22-year-old actress continues, "Wala rin kaming pang-almusal. Wala ring pananghalian.
"So parang, 'Paano tayo kakain?'
"Pag binuksan mo yung ref, wala rin namang malamig na tubig or, like, wala nang tubig kasi hindi pa nakaka-order ulit ng panibagong galon.
"So, parang doon ko naisip na, 'Ay, ayoko ng ganito.'"
Even at a young age, Francine was driven to build a better life, not for herself, but for her family.
"Ayoko ng walang gatas si Eisa. Ayoko na wala kaming kakainin," Francine says.
"From that moment, doon na ako talaga naging committed sa promise ko sa sarili ko na tutulungan ko sila Mama."
Francine learned to save even from her own baon.
She adds: "Dati kasi binibigyan po kami ng baon ng tita ko. So kunwari, kung bibigyan niya kami ng PHP100, pero titipirin mo yun.
"Na minsan naipon ko siya. Tapos kapag umabot ng PHP300 or pinakamalaking naipon PHP500, pero kailangan na...
"Like, walang pambili ng pagkain sa bahay, binibigay ko kay Mama. So, si Mama magdi-divide dun."
Despite the challenges, Francine persevered. She entered showbiz at age 10 and patiently waited for her big break.
"And then yun, kada gabi, may specific star akong tinitingnan nun dati sa labas ng bintana doon sa may puwesto ko sa kama.
"And then, yun, lagi lang akong nagpe-pray na tulungan kami ni Lord."
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FRANCINE DIAZ ON ANSWERED PRAYERS
Her biggest break on TV was when she starred in the defunct Kapamilya afternoon drama series Kadenang Ginto (2018-2020).
She was also part of the defunct primetime series Dirty Linen (2023) and Sins of The Father (2025).
Looking back, Francine pointed out that it didn't take long for God to answer her prayers.
"I think siguro kasi pag bata ka, hindi ka sobrang aware na nasasagot na pala yung prayers mo.
"Kasi kung matagal ako sinagot nun ni Lord sa mga prayers ko, paano kami naka-survive nun?" says the Kapamilya actress.
She appreciated the little blessings that came her way.
"So, yung simple prayer lang na, 'Sana may pagkain kami bukas, sana hindi na kami maputulan ng kuryente, sana ganito, ganyan,' nangyari namán siya.
"So, I wouldn't say no sobrang matagal [yung answered prayer]. It takes time lang talaga siguro."
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ON THIRD MOVIE WITH SETH FEDELIN
Aside from endorsements, Francine is now on her third movie with Seth Fedelin via She Who Must Not Be Named, coming out in theaters on April 29.
Directed by Christopher Novabos and written by Lawrence Nicodemus, the movie is produced by Oh Aye Productions Inc. and Solar Studios Inc.
Previously, they starred in the movie My Future You for the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), and then for Shake, Rattle & Roll Evil Origins for the 2025 MMFF.
Francine says, "May perfect timing talaga si Lord.
"Like, siguro yung pinagpe-pray ko before, namin, na sana magkaroon ng kahit isang maayos na project tapos magtuluy-tuloy lang siya, okay na kami dun.
"He gave it to us at the right time. So I wouldn't say na-late Siya, kasi perfect timing namán siya."
As for fulfilling her dream to have a better life for her family, Francine tells PEP, smiling, "And then ayun, okay naman kami.
"I mean, we're not very rich, pero masasabi kong medyo rich na sa pagkain."
WATCH FULL PEP LIVE WITH FRANCINE DIAZ & SETH FEDELIN: