TRIGGER WARNING: THIS ARTICLE MENTIONS OF RAPE, SEXUAL ABUSE

Raquel Pempengco has responded to allegations of abuse made by her child, Jake Zyrus, formerly known as Charice. Facing backlash over her comments about the claims, Raquel turned sentimental on social media, recalling how she took care of her children.

In a series of Facebook posts, Raquel shared a throwback video of Charice performing on ABS-CBN’s singing competition Little Big Star, where Charice’s career began.

In the caption, Raquel emphasized that, as a mother, she always prioritized her children’s safety.

“Kahit na nagwo-work ako noon, I’ll make sure na kasama ko mga anak kong matulog gabi-gabi. Nawalay lang sila sa pagtulog nung nag-start sumikat si Charice. Araw-araw pa rin akong nasa bahay. ‘Di ba, Carl Ceiven Relucio Pempengco? Tanda n’yo pa ba ang pasalubong ko gabi-gabi? Taffy, fillet, at Safari? Hindi ako kumakain at naglalakad lang ako para mabili ko ‘yun gabi-gabi kasi alam ko na naghihintay kayo magkapatid. Kaya nasubaybayan ko ang paglaki nila,” she said.

(Even though I was working back then, I always made sure to sleep beside my children every night. They only started sleeping apart from me when Charice became famous. But I was still home every day. Right, Carl Ceiven Relucio Pempengco? Do you still remember the treats I brought home every night? Taffy, fillet, and Safari? I wouldn’t eat and would even walk just to buy those every night because I knew you and your sibling were waiting for them. That’s why I was able to watch over them as they grew up.)

Like any mother, Raquel said it was her dream to give the best to her children.

“Kahit gusto kong mag-abroad, hindi ko magawa dahil hindi ko sila kayang iwanan, kahit sa nanay ko. Naisip ko, wala na silang daddy, wala pang mommy, kaya mag-isa ko silang pinalaki na walang sino mang tumulong,” she added.

(Even though I wanted to work abroad, I couldn’t do it because I couldn’t bear to leave them, not even with my own mother. I thought, they no longer have a father, and if they lose their mother too, who would take care of them? So I raised them on my own, without any help from anyone.)

Raquel also reflected on her personal struggles and shared her well wishes for her children, including Charice, who has since transitioned into Jake Zyrus.

"Noon, pangarap ko lang ang makatapos ng pag-aaral at magkaroon ng maayos na buhay. Tadhana nga naman, hindi mo inaasahan kung saan ka dadalhin—kung sa mabuti ba o masama. Basta para sa akin, hindi ako naghangad ng ikasasama ng iba para mapabuti lang ako. Hindi ko ipagpapalit sa karangyaan ang pagmamahal ko sa mga anak ko. Gabayan nawa sila ng Panginoon,” she said.

(Back then, my dream was just to finish my studies and have a stable life. But fate is unpredictable—you never know where it will take you, whether to something good or bad. But for me, I never wished for anything that would harm others just to improve my own life. I would never trade my love for my children for wealth. May God guide them.)

Recently, Jake Zyrus’s memoir, I Am Jake, resurfaced online, reigniting controversy over his revelation that he experienced abuse from his uncle at six years old. Raquel responded with a series of fiery social media posts, dismissing the claims as “fake news.”

The singer, who came out as a trans man in 2017, has expressed gratitude for Charice and the experiences that shaped him.

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 remains thankful for his past as Charice and the journey that brought him to where he is today.