CEBU, Philippines — After a noticeable absence, Jessica Villarubin returned yesterday to “All-Out Sundays” to release a single under GMA Music titled “Ako Naman” written by Christian Bautista. The Power Cebuana Diva launched the victory song with a new look – courtesy of Doctor to the Stars, Dr. Vicky Belo.
“I really feel great and happy sa naging resulta and ngayon feeling ko ang ganda ko,” Jessica told GMANetwork.com.
The 25-year-old singer who hails from San Fernando, Cebu told GMA Digital Specials that she underwent rhinoplasty, plus, “konti sa eyes and nilagyan ng konting fats ang mukha ko” in January, a month after she was declared champion of GMA Network’s singing competition “The Clash Season 3.”
The youngest of nine siblings, Jessica took on the task of family breadwinner thanks to her singing talent as the income from her mother, a laundrywoman, and her father, a carpenter, was barely enough to sustain all their needs. She managed to earn a college degree and help her family through singing gigs and competitions.
Comments such as “maganda lang yung boses pero pangit yung mukha” scarred Jessica that she always considered cosmetic surgery if she could afford it. Her mind was set after winning “The Clash.”
Jessica is beside herself with joy at the result. “Parang’'di na ko nako-conscious sa camera 'pag nagpi-picture ako kasi noon parang nahihiya kasi ako. No'ng nag-taping ako for AOS, 'di ako nagte-take ng pictures kasi kailangan kong i-anggulo 'yung mukha ko kung saan ako maganda pero ngayon, feeling ko kahit anong anggulo parang ang ganda ko. Ang saya lang,” she further shared to GMANetwork.com.
“Ewan ko pero ito 'yung nakikita ko, 'pag maganda ka, iba 'yung trato sa 'yo ng mga tao. 'Yung bullying po na naranasan ko noon, grabe din po 'yung epekto sa 'kin no'n, parang bumaba rin 'yung confidence ko. Parang ayoko na kumanta kasi palagi lang nila sinasabi na maganda lang 'yung boses ko pero 'yung mukha ko hindi kasi dapat daw total package.”
Jessica reminded those who ridicule others for their looks to realize the damage they do to one’s psyche. “Alamin mo kung sino sila, ano 'yung mga pinagdaanan nila sa buhay kasi minsan 'yung mga tao 'pag nambu-bully sila, parang gusto lang nila sabihin kung ano gusto nilang sabihin habang hindi nila alam kung ano epekto nito sa sarili natin. Yung naging epekto sa 'kin, parang nawala 'yung confidence ko sa sarili ko, nahihiya ako kumanta.”
“I'm very thankful lang na strong din 'yung personality ko and dahil din sa kanila naging strong ako lalo. Parang ayokong i-mind din 'yung mga sinasabi ng mga tao, parang nagfo-focus lang din ako sa mga taong nagmamahal sa 'kin.”
Dr. Belo shared to GMA Digital Specials that working on Jessica was particularly special for her since she immediately identified with the singer’s experiences of being bullied.
“I really related to Jessica’s story dahil sa school pa lang binu-bully na siya at palagi siyang sinasabihan na ang pangit niya. And that was also my experience when I was younger in school because I was adopted. Everyone knew for some reason that I was adopted by the Belos. They would always ask. ‘Why did your parents give you away?’ And then my other classmates would answer ‘Because she’s pangit.’ And then the other one would say ‘Because she’s so fat.’ So when Jessica told me they called her pangit, kaagad-agad, it hit my heart.”
She added that Jessica was a challenge because “I had to fix many little things and I also wanted to be sure that it will all be natural, that she would still be Jessica but better.”
While online reactions to Jessica’s transformation have been so far positive, Jessica has this message to fans who would otherwise be less supportive: “Sana maintindihan niyo yung ginawa ko sa sarili ko. Sana mahalin niyo pa rin ako at suportahan.”
Last year, another Cebuana singing champion, Janine Berdin, also made headlines after undergoing rhinoplasty that transformed her look and greatly boosted the “Tawag ng Tanghalan” winner’s confidence.