Jake Zyrus called out by mom Raquel Pempengco for ‘leaving’ Charice behind

(From left) Raquel Pempengco and Jake Zyrus. Images: Facebook/Raquel Relucio Pempengco, Instagram/@jakezyrusmusic

Raquel Pempengco again voiced her displeasure toward her transgender son, Jake Zyrus, whom she called out for “leaving Charice Pempengco” behind.

Pempengco took to her Facebook page on Friday, Sept. 6, share an old video from Tiktok of Zyrus’s earlier days as “Charice.”  She remarked: “Bring back the times,” and “Grabe ka Charice at this young age, napaka-matured mo na kumanta (You’re amazing, Charice. At your young age, your singing voice sounded so mature).”

“Sana maalala mo nung oras na ito, kung paano ka dinaya. Nung nakamit mo ang pinabayaan mo, tao nga [naman, hindi] marunong makuntento. Di pa huli mahaba pa ang panahon. Laban lang,” she said in the caption, without specifying who she was referring to.

(I hope you remember the time when you weren’t corrupted. When you got what you’re looking for, you leave everything behind. People aren’t contented after all. It’s not too late. You still have a lot of time. Keep fighting.)

Zyrus has yet to address his mother’s post, as of press time.

Pempengco made headlines in June 2024 after claiming that netizens shouldn’t compare Zyrus’ cover of “All By Myself” to the viral rendition of SB19’s Stell Ajero.

She then clarified in a separate post that both singers are good in their own rights, adding that she didn’t know that Ajero was a member of the P-pop quintet. Despite this, Ajero said he’s unaffected by Pempengco’s remarks.

Zyrus’ mother also revealed in a November 2023 interview that she is not yet on civil terms with the singer-songwriter.