Bugoy Cariño, EJ Laure and their daughter Scarlet. Image: Instagram/@iambugoycarino03
“Goin’ Bulilit” alum Bugoy Cariño recounted the hardships he had been through being a teenage father to Scarlet, his daughter with volleyball player EJ Laure, revealing that they initially considered to abort their baby.
Cariño made this revelation and opened up about how his life changed when he became a father, in an exclusive interview with broadcaster Karen Davila, as seen on her YouTube channel yesterday, June 18. The actor-dancer, who was 16 years old at the time, was taken aback when Laure informed him of her pregnancy, stating that he was not ready for it compared to Laure who was 21 years old then.
“‘Yun ‘yung time na parang ‘yung career ko is pataas na nang pataas so parang na-confuse ako sa sarili ko. Naisip ko na parang ang aga pala talaga,” he said. “Nawala lahat sa akin, so masakit din sa part ko na nung naging tatay ako, ‘yung family ko hindi ko na masyado natulungan.”
(That was the time when my career was at its peak so I got confused. I thought that it really was too early. I lost everything so it really hurt me that when I became a father, I was not able to support my family anymore.)
“Una po talaga, ang desisyon namin is ipalaglag na lang ‘yung baby. Sabi ko ‘OK’ kasi bata pa ako noon, parang hindi ko pa alam na buhay pala ‘yung mawawala ‘pag pinalaglag mo or something,” he added. “Kaya sabi ko, ‘Sige, para lang maibalik ‘yung career ko alang-alang sa family ko para makatulong ako at para maibalik ‘yung mga shows na ibinigay sa akin.'”
(At first, we really decided to have an abortion. I said, “OK” because I was still young back then and I did not know that doing it would mean losing a life. So I said, “Let’s do it to bring back my career as well as the shows I lost, so I can be able to help my family.”)
Cariño then spoke about how he decided to keep the baby after thinking thoroughly and realizing that it would have been the “biggest sin” he would ever commit in his life. He also addressed the issue regarding him being a minor when he had a relationship with Laure, stressing that it was his “choice” not to press charges against her.
“Nakikita ko po ‘yung mga sinasabi ng mga tao na dapat kasuhan si EJ, kasi nga minor ako — hindi naman po sila ‘yung magkakaso e, dapat ako ‘yung magkakaso kay EJ kasi ako ‘yung minor,” he added. “Pinili ko po na gusto ko maging masaya na lang. Gusto ko na maging parte ng buhay ko si EJ.”
(I am aware of people’s comments saying I should file a case against EJ because I was a minor [but] they would not be the one to press the charges. I should be the one [to decide] because I was the minor [in the relationship, but] I chose to be happy with EJ. I want her to be part of my life.)
Cariño recalled the joy he felt when he first saw their baby as well as how he thanked God for the “new chapter” of his life. He also disclosed his plans of getting married to Laure when they are both “stable” enough.
Cariño and Laure revealed Scarlet to the public in 2020 when the former “Goin’ Bulilit” star celebrated his 18th birthday. Their relationship sparked controversy due to Cariño being only 15 years old when he first got involved with Laure, who was then 19 years old. JB
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