TRIGGER WARNING: THIS ARTICLE MENTIONS OF RAPE, SEXUAL ABUSE

Jake Zyrus’s memoir I Am Jake has resurfaced online, reigniting controversy over his revelation that he experienced abuse from his uncle at six years old. His mother, Raquel Pempengco, responded with a series of fiery social media posts, dismissing the claims and calling them "fake news."

Many fans are aware of her strong disapproval of Zyrus’s transition. The two have been estranged for years, with Raquel frequently making bold statements against her child.

Following the renewed attention on I Am Jake, Raquel reportedly refused to believe the allegations and accused Zyrus of making up stories. As the memoir spread online, she took to Facebook to express her frustration. She claimed that misinformation was circulating again and hinted that if she were to tell her own story, people would be shocked.

"Meron na namang fake news. Galing daw sa isang libro. Mga bashers, hindi updated yang libro na yan… Abangan niyo ako ang mag-a-update ng librong ‘yan. Sari-sari na lang isyu niyo. Meron kilala daw ako? Mga gumagawa ng kwento ang iba. Baka magulat kayo kapag ako ang nagkwento… Kaya tumigil na kayo sa kaka-fake news na yan… Mga salot ng lipunan… Nababawasan tuloy ng konti ang ganda ko… Konti lang naman."

("There is fake news again. They say it came from a book. Bashers, that book is outdated… Just wait, I will be the one to update that book. You keep making different issues. Someone said they know me? Some people just make up stories. You might be surprised if I tell the real story… So stop spreading fake news… You are the scourge of society… My beauty is even slightly fading because of this… Just a little, though.")

She later wrote about choosing peace of mind instead of engaging with someone she described as ungrateful, but emphasized that no matter what happens, her blood still runs through Jake’s veins.

"Peace of mind pa rin ang pipiliin ko kesa patulan ko ang mga walang kwentang tao at mga walang utang na loob… Sila na magdadala ng lahat… The truth still prevails… But no matter what, my blood still flows in your veins, and you can only remove that when you’re already dead."

("I will still choose peace of mind rather than dealing with worthless people and those who have no gratitude… Let them carry everything… The truth still prevails… But no matter what, my blood still flows in your veins, and you can only remove that when you’re already dead.")

In another post, Raquel claimed she had no knowledge of the accusations but was already used to being painted as the villain. She insisted that no number of books could change the truth.

"Kwento niyo yan, malamang masama ako jan. Pero hindi ko alam ang kwentong ‘yan... Sanay na akong tawaging masama. Kung yan ba ikakasaya niyo. Tanggap ko na ang pangalan kong ‘Evil Queen.’ Basta ako, alam ko ang sariling kwento ko, pero di ko na isasali sa libro dahil ayoko ng may mapasama at madagdagan ang mga ‘Evil’… Dapat ako lang ang nagmamay-ari ng crown… Sige lang kahit ano ibato niyo basta hindi nakakabawas ng kagandahan ko… Wala pa rin akong pake."

("That’s your story, and of course, I’m the bad one in it. But I don’t even know that story… I’m already used to being called evil. If that makes you happy, then fine. I have accepted my title as the ‘Evil Queen.’ But I know my own story, and I won’t put it in a book because I don’t want anyone else to be dragged down and add more ‘evil’ to the world… I should be the only one who owns the crown… Go ahead, throw whatever you want at me, as long as it doesn’t take away from my beauty… I still don’t care.")

The singer, who came out as a trans man in 2017, said he is still grateful for Charice and all the experiences she had.

Pempengco's statements have once again sparked discussions among netizens, further intensifying the long-standing rift between her and Jake Zyrus.