“I just feel fear of bringing shame to my Mom, even though she was the one that did me wrong.”

Filipino-American actress Liza Soberano has spoken candidly about her painful childhood, sharing stories of abuse, survival, and resilience in a heartfelt interview with visual artist Sarah Bahbah for the three-part series “Can I Come In?” which premiered on YouTube on August 14.

Soberano recalled how, after her mother’s detention, she and her younger brother were placed in foster care because their grandparents were too old to care for them. Living under the custody of her mother’s best friend—identified only as Mellisa—she said she was treated “like a family dog.”

A turning point came when a social worker noticed signs of abuse during a surprise home visit. Authorities intervened, and the siblings were removed from the foster household before eventually being placed under the care of their grandparents.

Despite the hardships, Soberano shared that there were still fleeting moments of joy. She recounted how her mother would occasionally visit, introducing them to new siblings and spending precious time together. She also spoke fondly of embracing her role as a big sister.

Later, Soberano migrated from the United States to the Philippines, where she met her father for the first time. However, she admitted that living with him felt uncomfortable since they had not built a bond during her early years.

Reflecting on her journey, the actress said the first time she truly felt “worthy of love” was when she gained fans through her acting career. She also looked back on her past relationship with actor Enrique Gil, describing him as her “first love” and reminiscing on their years as an on-screen love team.

Toward the end of the interview, Soberano expressed gratitude to Bahbah for providing a safe space to finally share her truth. “I felt like nobody was listening to me, even when I was crying for help,” she said.

She closed with a message of empowerment:

“Don’t let people hurt you. Don’t stay because you’re afraid of rocking the boat. Love yourself first, and life gets so much better.”

Ira Tayapad

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