Malaysian actor Ben Amir gets candid about his life-changing move to Philippines

The Star

09-05-2025

Leaving behind a 15-year career in Malaysia's entertainment industry, actor and YouTuber Ben Amir has traded the chaos of city life for the calm shores of Siargao, Philippines.
In a deeply personal video titled The Real Reason I Left Everything Behind | My Island Life Story, Ben opens up about his search for peace, purpose, and the courage it took to start anew.
After 15 years of acting — from humble beginnings as an extra at 20 to landing major roles in dramas such as Sweet Dreams and Lelaki Kiriman Tuhan , Ben felt something was missing. The glitz of Kuala Lumpur no longer aligned with the person he was becoming.
'I left Malaysia because I felt like I was living a version of my life that didn't belong to me anymore,' he said candidly in his YouTube video.
He described the capital city as 'fast and intense... loud, always full of traffic and just overall hectic.' But what he craved, was ultimately stillness.
'Deep down, I needed stillness and peace to compose myself. I needed space to breathe and to reset,' he shared.
Ben first discovered Siargao in December 2023, while touring the Philippines. The island immediately left a lasting impression.
'Something about Siargao, however, spoke to me. The rhythm, the people, that simple life in Siargao,' he said.
A return trip to the island at the end of 2024 sealed his decision. What was supposed to be a two-week getaway turned into a mission to find a home.
'Long story short, the two weeks in Siargao went from a two-week trip of surfing to a two-week trip searching for property. During the last day of the trip, we found the perfect spot and decided 'This is it.''
The island's charm, combined with what locals refer to as the 'Siargao Curse' — a compelling force that makes visitors stay longer than planned—was something he couldn't resist.
At 35, with a solid career and local fame, leaving it all behind was no small feat. But Ben knew it was necessary for personal growth.
'The scariest part for me is letting go of certainty,' he confessed.
'In Malaysia, I had my career, my routine, my version of stability ... and suddenly decided to change, to leave and start a new life and a new career in a place where I've never experienced the culture, the religion, the area, the country and anything about the place.'
Despite the fear, he knew the change was essential for his mental well-being and for a future that felt authentic.
'It's scary, but for me, I had to do it for my life, for my mental health and for me to evolve from the character that I've built these past 15 years. What I'm doing is for the future. It's for the next 15 years.'
Perhaps the most powerful message Ben shares is about courage — specifically, the kind it takes to break away from everything familiar and take a leap of faith.
'Honestly for me, don't wait until you feel ready. The hardest and most nerve-wracking part is taking the first step.'
His journey may have started as a solo pursuit, but through vulnerability and authenticity, Ben is showing others that sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is walk away from the familiar in pursuit of who we truly are.
'Just trust the version that you want to become. You know the vision that you see for yourself. Trust yourself, trust your vision and just go for it.
'The first step is always the hardest but once you do it, you're gonna be thanking yourself later. Everything after the first step unfolds in ways you will never imagine,' he said.
As he settles into his new life in Siargao, Ben remains the charming and friendly actor he's always been, hoping for new connections in his new hometown of Siargao.
'If you're ever in Siargao, don't be shy to say hello!' he said, wrapping up the inspirational video with a smile. – Sinar Daily