After seven years under ABS-CBN’s Star Magic, Aljon Mendoza is stepping into an independent phase of his career, guided by mentor Boy Abunda and turning to vlogging as a starting point for his goal of becoming a documentarist.
In an intimate press conference, Mendoza confirmed he is no longer under contract, ending a run that helped launch his career from a housemate in “Pinoy Big Brother: Otso” into mainstream acting.
According to him, the separation followed earlier efforts to pursue new opportunities while still honoring his contractual commitments.
“Yes, I am no longer with Star Magic. What happened was that last year, I received an offer from Viva, and I requested to be released by Star Magic, but my request was not granted,” Mendoza explained.
He added that he chose to respect his contract, which was originally set to expire later this year, before being released ahead of schedule.
“I understood that, and I respected the contract that I had. Originally, my contract was set to end in November this year, but this March, I was released. They said since I requested it before, they’re granting it now,” he said.
Despite the transition, Mendoza emphasized his gratitude toward the network and management that supported his early career and personal growth.
“I am thankful to ABS-CBN and Star Magic because that is where I started and they gave me projects. I was also able to provide for my family because of them. Everything I learned from them, I will carry with me as I move forward to the next chapter of my life,” he said.
Now working independently, Mendoza is navigating his next steps with guidance from veteran host Boy Abunda, who has taken on a key role in both his career direction and education.
Mendoza said the mentorship has been helpful, particularly as he continues his studies while building a more sustainable career path.
“Tito Boy’s help has been tremendous because studying is expensive. When the scholarship was offered to me, I grabbed it right away. It’s a three-year program, on a trimester basis, and I don’t know how I would have been able to afford it,” he said.
Alongside his studies, Mendoza has been producing online content, using vlogs not only to share his daily life but also as a starting point for documentary-style storytelling rooted in his hometown of Macabebe, Pampanga.
Reflecting on one of his most personal experiences, he described how recurring flooding continues to affect both his life and the stories he wants to tell.
“Last year, I woke up surrounded by flood water,” he shared.
He said these realities have pushed him to pursue more meaningful storytelling, including documentary work that captures real-life conditions.
“I want to try going back to making documentaries. Three years ago, I was able to create a documentary, and I have already made three in total. One of the documentaries I made was about the flooding in our area in Macabebe, Pampanga.
“I want to continue those documentaries, but I also want to try something different. Before, the ones I made were heavy. Now, I want to explore topics like delicacies in Pampanga and our culture.”
Mendoza said his interest in storytelling dates back to his early years, when he first became involved in broadcast activities in school.
“When I was in high school, I was already doing TV broadcasting. We competed in different clusters and divisions. I feel that’s where my curiosity about delivering news and creating stories began.
“I feel that no matter how much I try to avoid it, I always come back to it.”
As he transitions away from the traditional studio system, Mendoza said he is taking a patient approach, balancing education, content creation and selective acting work.
“To be honest, I am still figuring out what the right choices are that I need to make. I also tell him what I think I should do next. Little by little, we are not rushing,” he said.
For now, Mendoza remains focused on finishing his studies, supporting his family and building a body of work that reflects the stories he wants to tell.
