Amid Sandro Muhlach’s Issue, Gerald Santos Empathizes With Him
GERALD SANTOS – The actor-singer empathized with Sandro Muhlach amid the latter’s legal complaints against Kapuso creative directors Richard Cruz and Jojo Nones.
Gerald, who became well-known after winning the second season of Pinoy Pop Superstar, revealed that he was taken advantage of by a musical director when he was just 15. He described how the director started making inappropriate advances while he was still on the show. Gerald shared a specific incident when the director invited him to perform in Iloilo with other singers. However, he ended up alone at the director’s house, where he found only one bedroom and faced unwanted advances. Gerald turned down the advances, and nothing further happened.
When Gerald reported the issue to higher-ups at GMA Network, he was told to move on. His contract was ended early, which Gerald linked to the unresolved issues he faced. “The response was just, ‘Move on, it’s been a long time,’” Gerald said, explaining that although his contract was not finished, he asked to be released because he wasn’t getting new projects and wasn’t growing in his career.
With renewed attention on Gerald’s situation, particularly with Sandro Muhlach’s complaints, Gerald expressed strong sympathy for Sandro and his family. He noted that his own painful memories resurfaced with the recent news and appreciated the #MeToo movement for giving people a voice, unlike when he faced these issues.
“Nagbalik ang sakit sa akin at hindi ko maiwasan maluha to imagine ang sinapit nya. My heart goes to Sandro and the whole Muhlach family,” said Gerald. “I was once in this situation but back then wala kang boses, walang social media. Unlike ngayon na nagkaroon na ng #MeToo movement,” he added: “But I will hold my head up high for standing up amidst tremendous pressure to just let go of what happened. I hope he gets the justice I was once denied of.”
