TRIGGER WARNING: THIS ARTICLE MENTIONS OF RAPE, SEXUAL ABUSE

Singer Jake Zyrus has once again become a trending topic on social media after excerpts from his 2018 autobiography, I Am Jake, resurfaced online.

In the book, Zyrus openly shares the struggles he faced while rising to global fame as the singing prodigy formerly known as Charice Pempengco. He also gives a raw and unfiltered account of his tumultuous childhood, including the harrowing abuse he endured at the hands of his uncle.

Seven years after its release, netizens have rediscovered these painful revelations, reigniting discussions about his past. This was after the Facebook page Pageant Talk shared on 2 March, passages from the memoir, highlighting the chapter where Jake bravely recounted his traumatic experiences. According to the excerpt, the abuse began when he was just six years old.

Jake initially believed it was an isolated incident, but it turned into a recurring ordeal. For an entire year, whenever his mother was away, his uncle took advantage of the situation. At times, other relatives were nearby, unaware of what was happening. His uncle would get too close and issue threats, warning him to stay silent.

“My uncle then asked me to come with him to his room. We were going to sleep, he told me. Even if I had said no, I was so small and helpless. All he had to do was pick me up. Of course, we didn’t sleep. He lay behind me, spooned me, and started touching me all over. My uncle, supposedly my second father, asked me to touch his genitals. I refused to move and didn’t talk. I just lay there stiffly waiting for the nightmare to be over."

Fifteen years later, Jake finally opened up to his mother about what had happened. However, his then caretaker, with whom he now has a strained relationship, dismissed his revelation, accusing him of fabricating the story.

While writing his memoir, Jake described it as a compelling and deeply personal narrative of his journey through adversity, including challenges with identity, financial struggles, and personal hardships. In her back cover blurb, she echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that more than a testament to resilience, it is an inspiring and continuous journey of self-discovery — one that explores life’s most profound question: Who are we truly?

I Am Jake was released under Pride Press, Anvil Publishing’s LGBT-focused imprint.

In 2023, Zyrus took a break from social media to focus on his mental health. Despite this, he expressed gratitude for his past as Charice and the experiences that shaped him

Now primarily working in the US, Zyrus assured fans he remains committed to his Philippine projects and continues to be managed by a local team.