Gerald Santos to launch Courage Movement after ‘sexual abuse’ experience

Gerald Santos at the media conference for his upcoming concert “Courage” on Friday, Jan. 10 | Image: INQUIRER.net/Jessica Ann Evangelista

(Trigger warning: mentions of rape, sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment)

Gerald Santos is turning his personal pain into an advocacy as he is set to launch Courage Movement, a campaign aimed at empowering survivors of sexual abuse and raising awareness about the importance of speaking out.

Santos, who is set to launch the movement during his upcoming concert “Courage,” said he wanted to extend help “in the way that he can” to fellow sexual abuse victims.

“I’ll be launching my advocacy, Courage Movement, to help ‘yung mga victims ng sexual abuse, harassment, rape, ‘yung mga ganon. Kasi na-realize ko nung lumabas ako last year, how hard it was, doon sa mga biktima. I want to offer help. In every little way I can,” he said during a media conference on Friday, Jan. 10.

The grand champion of “Pinoy Pop Superstar” shared that they are partnering with the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) for legal help and will also spearhead psychological therapy for the victims.

When asked for his reaction to some people’s sentiments that he’s using his experience to advance his career, Santos stressed that his case has always been there, and the only difference is that now is the only time that the public has taken notice.

“Masasabi ko lang doon nasa kanila na ‘yon kung ‘yon ang opinion nila. Wala naman akong magagawa doon. Kumbaga sa issue na ‘yon, hindi naman ‘yon out of the blue in the first place. Kumbaga ‘yung pinagdaanan ko na ‘yon matagal na, year 2010 pa, may complaint nako dyan. Three years ago, 2022, meron rin akong interview, hindi naman pinansin. Nagkataon lang na meron malaking pangalan sa industriya, nagkasabay kaya nagkaroon ng atensyon ‘yung aking case,” he said, referring to Sandro Muhlach, who also recently came forward about his sexual assault experience in the industry.

In August 2024, Santos alleged that he was raped by veteran musical director Danny Tan when he was just a 15-year-old contestant in a singing contest on GMA.

Santos, who’s fresh from his portrayal as Thuy in the international production of “Miss Saigon” in Denmark, also recently launched his new single, “Hubad,” a companion piece for his upcoming concert. In the song, he said he blends “vulnerability” and “courage” into one.

Santos’ “Courage” concert is set to take place on Jan. 24 at the SM North Edsa Skydome.