Raquel Pempengco opens up about Charice Pempengco
RAQUEL PEMPENGCO – The mother of Jake Zyrus admitted that she was hurt after Charice Pempengco changed her name.
Raquel discussed her struggles with Jake after the latter’s decision to transition from Charice. In an interview with Morly Alinio, Raquel recounted her wish for her baby to be a girl while she was pregnant with Jake, and she was overjoyed when God fulfilled her desire. “Nung pinagbubuntis ko siya, namata ako ng siyam na buwan para maging [ang anak ko],” said Raquel.
However, she lost all hope when Jake transitioned to being a man. “Mula nung nag-jake siya nawala lahat ‘yun. Mas masakit kasi nag-expect ako na for life kami magkasama eh. Naisip ko kung nagkamali man ako sa isang bagay pero hindi naman ganon kabigat para kalimutan na ina ako,” she said.
“Mas masakit ‘yung nagpalit siya ng pangalan dahil ako ‘yung nagbigay ng pangalan niya, tapos ‘yung nagpatangal siya ng breast, tapos nagpalagay siya ng tattoo dahil iniingatan ko ‘yung balat niya. Dahil siya ‘yung talagang ipinanata ko na ibigay ni Lord sakin,” she added.
Despite their differences, Raquel mentioned that she still considers Jake as part of her family. “Kahit gaano siya kalayo, kahit gaano katagal pa siyang hindi mag-reach out samin… family parin namin siya, hindi parin namin siya nakakalimutan,” she said.
Meanwhile, Jake Zyrus, previously known as Charice Pempengco, is a Filipino singer and television personality. He gained international recognition in 2007 after appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show.
He transitioned into acting by joining the cast of Glee in 2010 and later served as a judge on The X Factor Philippines in 2012. In 2013, Zyrus came out as a lesbian, but in 2017, he came out as a transgender male, adopting the name Jake Zyrus and discontinuing the use of “Charice Pempengco.” He underwent male chest reconstruction and began testosterone treatment. Jake has continued to pursue his music career and embrace his true identity.
Related Post: Raquel Pempengco on Jake Zyrus: “Huwag na po tayong umasa pa na babalik pa ang dating CHARICE”