Charice Pempengco left fans in shock with the sudden name change after staying silent for months. This time, it’s no longer Charice, but it’s Jake Zyrus. It’s not“supercharice” on Instagram, but “jakezyrusmusic.” Although receiving mixed reactions with different points of view, Jake is still thankful as he expresses on his new Instagram.
Apart from fan reactions, influential people from the LGBT community also reacted on the singer’s decision. One of which is singer-songwriter Aiza Seguerra.
Aiza Seguerra Warmly Welcomes Jake Zyrus
National Youth Commission’s chairperson Aiza Seguerra is on Jake’s side for the name change. Also identifying as a transman, Seguerra expresses his sentiments over Twitter. Seguerra says that if your name hinders your true self, then he sees nothing wrong with changing it. Seguerra releases this statement after some netizens weren’t so welcoming to the new Charice.
The tweet goes to show Seguerra’s support for the gender identity Jake Zyrus identifies with and respect his decisions. Although the name change is not yet official by the court, Jake still prefers recognition through his new self, as Jake Zyrus.
Raquel Pempengco’s Hard Feelings And Sentiments
One would expect Jake’s mom to be one of the first to know but surprisingly Raquel Pempengco was also taken aback by the name change. In an interview with Oprah three years ago, Jake tells that he knew he felt different when he was 5 years old. And at age 10, he finally knew the proper term for his feelings, which was the title “gay.”
As for deciding to change his name, his mother tells PEP through a text message that she did have hard feelings or “sama ng loob”. But despite the circumstances, she decides to understand Jake. Her sentiments are that it’s where he’s comfortable and happy. Additionally, Jake’s grandmother, Thess Pineda, frowns upon the recent name change.
In the same 2014 interview with Oprah, Jake expresses that his “soul is male”. Although he adds that he doesn’t have plans on undergoing extreme physical changes like through sex change. Instead, he’ll focus on changing his image through his hair and dressing like a man.