Comedian Jobert Austria celebrated an emotional Mother’s Day with his biological mother, Armanda Villanueva. For almost 50 years, Austria and Villanueva did not have any contact until they were reunited on May 07.
Austria shared his journey of reuniting with his biological mother for the first time through his vlog Ang Muling Pagkikita | Jobert Austria on May 09 in commemoration of Mother’s Day.
“This is it, ito na ‘yon,” he started his vlog in excitement.
For him, as he was preparing to meet his biological mother has got his emotions mixed up. He was not exactly sure how to feel. He’s happy but at the same time quite upset because at a young age, his mother had him adopted.
However, he was grateful because God gave him the chance to finally patch things up between him and his mother.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos kasi nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon para makita ko na ‘yung nanay ko ‘yung totoong nanay ko mayakap, mahalikan, matanong ‘yung mga bagay na gusto kong tanungin mula nung bata ako hanggang ngayon na tumanda na ako.”
He also recollected his interview with Toni Gonzaga on Toni Talks where he planned to reunite with his mom and ask for her blessings before marrying Chad in Canada.
Austria’s team made a prior interview with his mother. They were asking if she’s excited to meet his son after long years of waiting.
“Syempre. Tagal ko siyang hindi nakita. Biruin mo, 50 years siguro.”
During the interview, Jobert’s mother also revealed that she was the one who had her son adopted right after giving birth. It made Austria blame his mom for the decision.
While Austria is filming his way to the studio, he repeatedly said that his feelings were mixed. He then wondered if his mom is as mischievous as he is.
“Alam niyo ‘yung nanay ko na ‘yan gusto kong malaman kung kasing kulit ko ‘yung nanay ko eh. Kasi ‘di ba imagenin niyo ganito ako kakukit, saan ako galing?”
When he arrived at the 10 Hour Studio, he showed his preparations for his mom. He bought foods from Boteyju and a cake from Paper Moon.
He then admitted that there was a time when his mom tried to reunite with him but he was driven by anger. He had a glimpse of his mom but he did not want to entertain her. Also, he disrespected her.
“Na ano lang naaninagan ko lang nanay ko dati nung nagpunta ata sa bahay, siyempre hindi ko na-entertain masyado dahil siyempre banggag banggag pa si Kuya Jobert n’un. Nabastos ko pa ata.”
He shared how he bitterly left his mom saying “May nanay na ho ako. ‘Di ko na kayo kailangan.”
For years, he was having a heavy heart toward his mom. He was upset to the extent that he tried to escape and forget about it. However, he had come to terms that things that have something to do with one’s past are those things that one cannot easily move on.
One can never move on from it until one fixes the relationship with anyone that has long been ruined.
Reuniting with his mom was not in his plans before but a long-lost sibling of his contacted him through facebook saying that his mom wants to meet him.
His conversation with his long-lost sibling led him to know more about his life when he was young. His family was staying in Matamias, Quezon City. His father was ill as his father had tuberculosis.
When he was a baby, he used to sleep on the table because their place was prone to flood.
It was due to poverty that caused his mom to have him adopted. His mom did sacrifices for him to have a much better life.
He then shared the story of King Solomon, who made his judgment between the two women who both claimed to be the mother of the infant.
King Solomon was able to tell who was the real mother when he said that the infant must be divided into two so that the two women could have each part of the infant.
The real mother cried to spare the life of her infant. Due to her great love for her son, she was willing to give the infant to the other woman.
When Austria and Villanueva finally met, tears fell on their faces as they hugged each other, tightly.
Austria expressed his gratitude to his mom. For him, if such things did not happen in his life then he would not have become an artist.
“Salamat Nay kasi kung hindi nangyari ‘to, siguro hindi ako naging artista.”
He also asked few questions such as at what age her mother had him adopted, if how does his father looked like, and if her mom misses him.
He also shared with his mom that he’s getting married and will be moving to Canada soon. However, he promised his mom that he will still contact her.
He wished that his mom will have a longer life and that she will have the opportunity to know God.
“Sana humaba pa ang buhay mo. Sana makilala mo ang Diyos. At sana maging malakas ka pa. Sana malaman mo na pinatawad na kita doon sa mga dating nangyari sa atin noong ako ay binigay mo. Ngayon, okay na, eto na ‘ko. Napagdaanan na natin lahat ng kailangan nating pagdaanan.”
To end his vlog, he shared a happy meal with his mother.
