Jake Zyrus' mom Raquel Pempengco hopes for reconciliation: 'Andito lang ako... Ako pa rin ‘yung ina niya'
The mother of singer Jake Zyrus said they’re still not on good terms, though she’s been trying to reach out to him.
In a guesting over showbiz reporter Morly Alinio’s vlog uploaded on YouTube on Nov. 5, Raquel Pempengco said she’s looking forward to reconciling with Zyrus, whom she still occasionally refers to by his old name, Charice.
“Andito lang ako dahil hindi luluwag ang pakiramdam mo hangga't ang magulang mo ang kalaban mo,” Pempengco said, adding that Zyrus may not have peace of mind if he’s still harboring resentment as she supposedly suffers.
Pempengco also recalled the day that Zyrus was reportedly seen drunk and aggressive while in the United States amid his supposed career setbacks. She said she immediately reached out to Zyrus’s friend to check up on him.
Amid reports that Zyrus is seen having a drinking spree in public, Pempengco said she has no idea and would only believe it if the news came from his friends.
“Hintayin na lang natin na siya ang magsabi. Karapatan niyang maging malaya,” she said.
Pempengco said she doesn’t mind if Zyrus no longer gives her (financial) support, but she’s at least hoping for him to talk to her.
“Siguro 'pag nag-reach out lang siya, 'Mi, okay lang ba kayo diyan? 'Wag kang mag-alala okay kami dito, okay ako dito. Gusto ko lang ng malaya na at malayo na sa showbiz,’ ‘yon sana ang gusto kong mangyari,” she said.
Amid his reported mental health struggles, Pempengco is hoping that Zyrus has a support system in his friends, though expressed frustration that she seems powerless about his situation.
“Sana kausapin nila ng puso sa puso,” she said.
When asked whether it’s Charice or Jake who's the spirit of her Christmas, Pempengco said they’re just one, and she loves them equally.
“Minahal ko si Charice noon, mas mahal ko ngayon si Jake,” she said, adding she has accepted him wholeheartedly. Zyrus previously told the media that his mother doesn’t accept his being a transgender man and his relationships with women.
She also regrets not communicating with Zyrus much, especially since he’s having mental health struggles even before his transition.
Ultimately, Pempengco said she’ll still be waiting for her child.
“Malalaman niya na andito lang ako,” she said, “at maiisip niya na ako pa rin ‘yung ina niya.”
“Para sa akin, wala akong ginawang masama. Charice, kung ikaw man ay nagbago sana hindi mo binago 'yung ugali mo para sa aming pamilya mo,” she added while in tears.
Zyrus, in his 2018 book I Am Jake, called Pempengco an “evil queen” and an “abusive mother” as he recalled alleged physical and emotional abuse he underwent ever since he was a kid.
Zyrus also previously claimed his mother made fake accounts to send hate messages when he came out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Pempengco expressed her disapproval of the claims.