Charice’s mom reveals she’s an ex-lesbian

Pop sensation Charice, who recently came out of the closet, answers questions from the media during the Yahoo! OMG Awards launch. (Photo by Thea Alberto-Masakayan)

“I used to be a lesbian,” an emotional Raquel Pempengco, mother of Charice, told the media in a press conference held at their Marikina residence on June 7, Friday.

The revelation came less than a week after Charice confirmed on national television that she’s a lesbian.

The international singer’s mother related that she turned her back on homosexuality after her  mother, Tess Relucio, convinced her to build her own family.

Her marriage with Rick Pempengco eventually bore two children, Charice and Carl.

Racquel also laments that Charice seems to have turned her back on her family.

In a lengthy open letter she read before the members of the press, Raquel said she’s pinning all her hopes through prayers.

Accompanied by her son Carl, Racquel admits she doesn’t approve of the people who surround Charice, but she hopes that they will take care of her only daughter.

“Pinagdarasal po namin na lahat ng nakakasama at makakasama ni Charice ngayon, na silang lahat ay aalagaan siya, poprotektahan at mamahalin siya, oo, bilang isang singer, pero higit sa lahat bilang isang tao.”

Also read: Local celebs express support for Charice

The single mom also resented that she and Carl were unable to be with Charice on her 21st birthday last month, as well as some Christmases and New Years before that: "Hindi po namin siya nakita ni Carl noong kaarawan niya, gayon din noong mga nakaraang taon. Ilang Pasko at bagong taon na rin na hindi namin nakapiling o nakausap.”

However, in previous interviews, Charice has repeatedly apologized to her mother and brother for what they’re going through.

While her mother was a no-show during her birthday celebration in Laguna last May 10, Charice dedicated Yeng Constantino’s song “Salamat” to her.