There are benefits of being contacted with the channel, one you are guarantee some salary even if you don't have work all the time, two you will eventually get some work/side jobs etc.
But if you're not under any contact you are just a floater, and there are so many actresses/actors so it will be a challenge to fight for a job if you have no big fans base and if you're not in the spotlight all the time. Majority of the stars will slowly disappear because you have no one to back/to push you or you're not the so call love-child of the producers, directors etc.
Regarding to P'Por I pray for him to get well and be healthy again soon, so he can read all those signatures/well wishes books thousand of peoples went to signed for him, so he will knows how much loves peoples has for him. I saw picture of some political leader went to signed well wishes for him too.
Regarding his daughter, I believe he was dating one woman that already has kid from previous relationship, so he always kept his relationship on a down low, but they had been dating for so long, I guess is normal to just kept it quiet when they made it official or has a daughter. I think what he did with his life is a good ideas though, too many open relationship now and too many dirty laundry to sort out when they fight etc.