Kuya Jobert reunites with his biological mother, Amanda Villanueva, after almost 50 years. Image: screengrab from YouTube/KuyaJobert TV
Comedian Kuya Jobert, who is Jobert Austria in real life, has finally reunited with his biological mother after almost five decades.
Kuya Jobert’s journey of meeting his mother for the first time as an adult was shared via YouTube last Sunday, May 9, aptly just in time for the celebration of Mother’s Day. The reunion occurred on May 7.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos kasi nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon para makita ko na ‘yung nanay ko – ‘yung totoong nanay ko – mayakap, mahalikan, matanong ‘yung mga bagay na gusto kong tanungin mula nung bata ako hanggang ngayon na tumanda na ako,” an emotional Kuya Jobert said in the vlog.
(I thank God for giving me the opportunity to meet my mom – my real mom – to hug her, kiss her, ask her all the things I have wanted to ask her since I was a child until now that I am an adult.)
Before meeting his mom, named Armanda Villanueva, Kuya Jobert admitted that he did not know exactly what to feel—he was both happy he was going to see her and also upset that she had him adopted.
Kuya Jobert noted that he and his team, including his mother, all underwent COVID-19 testing before arranging the reunion and tested negative for the novel coronavirus.
When asked if she was excited to meet his long-lost son, Villanueva answered, “Syempre. Tagal ko siyang hindi nakita. Biruin mo, 50 years siguro (Of course. I had not seen him for a long time. Imagine, 50 years I guess.)
Villanueva disclosed that her own mother had Kuya Jobert adopted right after she gave birth, but he had been blaming her and had been mad at her since then for leaving him.
“Gusto ko magtagpo lang kami. Ayaw niya magpunta (All I wanted was for us to meet. He did not want to),” Villanueva said, who recalled that both Kuya Jobert and her other children were apparently too shy to plan a reunion back then.
Kuya Jobert also recalled that when his mother attempted to reunite with him way back by going to his home, he admittedly became upset and did not entertain her.
“Naaninagan ko lang nanay ko dati eh. Nagpunta ata sa bahay,” the comedian shared. “Nabastos ko po ata. Iniwan ko sa bahay, sabi ko, ‘May nanay na ho ako. ‘Di ko na kayo kailangan.’ Umiiyak, iniwan ko.”
(I just caught a glimpse of my mother back then. She went to my house… I think I also disrespected her. I left her at my house and told her, “I already have a mother. I do not need you anymore.” She cried and I left her.)
“Isipin mo, 50 years old na ako. Ilang taon din akong nagtampo doon, eh. Pilit ko nilalampasan ‘yun, kinakalimutan ‘yung—alam niyo, hindi n’yo pala malalampasan yung nakaraan n’yo. Hindi kayo makaka-move on hangga’t hindi n’yo naaayos yung relationship n’yo kahit kanino lalo na yung mabibigat sa buhay n’yo. Maaapektuhan talaga yung future n’yo,” he added.
(Think about it, I am now 50 years old. I spent years being mad at my mother. I forced myself to forget about it—but you know, it turns out you cannot really just move on from your past. You cannot move on until you fix your relationship with anyone, especially those who play a big role in your life. Your future will always be affected.)
Kuya Jobert also noted that it was not really his plan to look for his biological mom before until his long-lost sibling contacted him on Facebook and told him that his mother was looking for him.
However, he has now come to the realization that his mother sacrificed not raising him as her own because she wanted him to grow up in a better environment and not in poverty.
When the time for them to meet finally came, the two broke down in tears and held each other in a long embrace.
“Salamat Nay kasi kung hindi nangyari ‘to, siguro hindi ako naging artista (Thank you Mom, because if this did not happen, I would most likely not be an actor),” the comedian told his mother.
He also noted that they met just right in time as he will soon be moving to Canada, but promised that he will remain in contact.
“Sana humaba pa ang buhay mo. Sana makilala mo ang Diyos. At sana maging malakas ka pa. Sana malaman mo na pinatawad na kita doon sa mga dating nangyari sa atin noong ako ay binigay mo. Ngayon, okay na, eto na ‘ko. Napagdaanan na natin lahat ng kailangan nating pagdaanan,” he said.
(I hope you will live a long life. I hope you will get to know God. And I hope you will remain strong. I hope you’ll know that I have already forgiven you for giving me up for adoption then. Now, it is okay, I am here. We have gone through what we needed to go through.)
“Mag-aasawa na ako. Nagpapasalamat ako dahil bago ako pumunta sa Canada ay nagkita tayo. Bayaan mo, kapag nandoon na ako, palagi kitang kakamustahin at basta mag-usap tayo ha,” Kuya Jobert added.
(I’m getting married. I am grateful that I got to meet you before moving to Canada. Do not worry, when I get there, I will remain in contact.)
Kuya Jobert’s vlog ended with him and his mother having a meal together as the comedian ordered a lot of food for the special occasion. /ra
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