Trigger Warning: Mentions of sexual abuse

MANILA — Singer Jona disclosed in an interview with Toni Gonzaga that she experienced sexual abuse from her father when she was 10 years old.

Jona said her childhood was “good at first” until her parents separated, and that the abuse began after her mother left their home.

“Ngayon ko na-realize kung bakit ako tinawag na Fearless Diva. Kasi natutunan kong tumayo at harapin ang mga sakit ng nakaraan. Hindi ko na kailangang itago. Isa itong bahagi ng kung sino ako ngayon,” she said.

“Noong bata ako, at 10 years old, naging biktima rin ako ng molestiya… from my father,” Jona added. She described the abuse as happening during the daytime and recalled feeling frozen, unsure of how to react.

Despite the abuse, Jona said her relationship with her father has remained the same. “As if parang walang nangyari, okay pa rin kami ng father ko. Sinusuportahan pa rin niya kami, nagtatrabaho pa rin siya. Ako naman tuloy lang pagsali ko sa mga contest,” she said.

She also noted that she did not disclose the abuse to her siblings or close relatives, unsure of how they would respond.

Jona said she only later realized the impact of the abuse. “After those things happened from my childhood, parang unconsciously, hindi mo napapansin sa sarili mo… para kang nagsi-seek ng validation from other people na ang gusto mo lang naman to feel loved, to feel secured, to be worthy and to be adored,” she said.

Despite her painful experience, Jona expressed a willingness to forgive her father.