Maki opens up about experiencing harassment at an audition years ago
Maki has opened up about the sexual harassment he experienced at an audition when he was only 15 years old.
The OPM singer and songwriter guested on "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda" Thursday where he shared some of the struggles and rejections he faced when he was starting out in the industry.
But there was one incident that significantly challenged him more than the rejections, he told Abunda.
"Dito po ako pinakana-challenge if I were to pursue this industry. Actually 'di po 'to alam masyado ng mga tao sa akin, I don't even know if my parents know this," he said.
According to Maki, he went to the audition because he wanted to surprise his parents.
"I was 15 and sobra po akong full of passion, full of dreams, and then I auditioned. I did everything, nag-acting, nag-singing, dancing, in front of one person kasi ni-lock niya 'yung pinto," he said.
In narrating the event, Maki artist had to pause and take deep breaths to continue. He did not drop any names.
Maki recalled that after the audition, the person started asking him questions that were not appropriate for children.
When asked by Abunda if he was sexually harassed, he initially said that he is not sure if he could call it such.
When asked again if he was "verbally, sexually harassed" and felt violated by what the person did, Maki answered in the affirmative.
"Opo, yes po," he said, confirming to Abunda that the person asked him sexual questions.
Per Maki, he did not know how to answer the person's questions, adding he also no longer remembers what he answered.
"Sabi po kasi niya is, 'kailangan alam namin 'tong mga bagay na 'to kasi dapat kilala ka namin as an artist,'" he recalled.
"So ako po, naniwala po ako, so kung anu-ano pong sinabi ko na mga bagay na-expose — feeling ko po, first time ko po kasi mahiyain po akong bata eh."
During that time, Maki told the person that he needed to go to the comfort room so he could leave the room.
"Di na po 'ko bumalik, tapos nag-jeep po ako pauwi, tapos umiiyak po ako sa jeep. Dun ko lang po na-realize na hindi ko po alam kung ano 'yung ginawa sa akin pero na-realize ko po that time, I was thinking about my dream. 'Yun lang po nasa isip ko, pumunta po ako ng kwarto na 'yun for my dream," he said.
Maki also said he went home in tears not because of what the person did to him, but because he thought the industry might be too harsh for him to handle and be able to pursue his dream.
"Maybe I'm not ready yet for this dream, so if my dream is too big, baka di ako big enough to achieve it."
He also clarified to Abunda that the person did not physically violate him, saying, "Hindi po, hindi ko rin po hahayaan."
Maki is known for the songs "Dilaw," "Saan?" "Kailan?" "Bughaw," "Kahel na Langit," and more.
He is set to release his album "Kolorcoaster" on September 19.
The Philippines has several mental health hotlines and services. These include: DOH-NCMH Hotline: 0917-899-8727 or 02-7989-8727; Natasha Goulbourn Foundation Hopeline: 0917-558-4673, 0918-873-4673 and 02-8804-4673; and In Touch Crisis Line: 0917-800-1123, 0922-893-8944 and 02-8893-7603.
—CDC/LA, GMA Integrated News
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Trigger warning: Mentions of sexual harassment and abuse. Maki has opened up about the sexual harassment he experienced at an audition when he was only 15 years old. The OPM singer and songwriter guested on "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda" Thursday where he shared some of the struggles and rejections he faced when he was starting out in the industry. But there was one incident that significantly challenged him more than the rejections, he told Abunda. "Dito po ako pinakana-challenge if I were to pursue this industry. Actually 'di po 'to alam masyado ng mga tao sa akin, I don't even know if my parents know this," he said. According to Maki, he went to the audition because he wanted to surprise his parents. "I was 15 and sobra po akong full of passion, full of dreams, and then I auditioned. I did everything, nag-acting, nag-singing, dancing, in front of one person kasi ni-lock niya 'yung pinto," he said. In narrating the event, Maki artist had to pause and take deep breaths to continue. He did not drop any names. Maki recalled that after the audition, the person started asking him questions that were not appropriate for children. When asked by Abunda if he was sexually harassed, he initially said that he is not sure if he could call it such. When asked again if he was "verbally, sexually harassed" and felt violated by what the person did, Maki answered in the affirmative. "Opo, yes po," he said, confirming to Abunda that the person asked him sexual questions. Per Maki, he did not know how to answer the person's questions, adding he also no longer remembers what he answered. "Sabi po kasi niya is, 'kailangan alam namin 'tong mga bagay na 'to kasi dapat kilala ka namin as an artist,'" he recalled. "So ako po, naniwala po ako, so kung anu-ano pong sinabi ko na mga bagay na-expose — feeling ko po, first time ko po kasi mahiyain po akong bata eh." During that time, Maki told the person that he needed to go to the comfort room so he could leave the room. "Di na po 'ko bumalik, tapos nag-jeep po ako pauwi, tapos umiiyak po ako sa jeep. Dun ko lang po na-realize na hindi ko po alam kung ano 'yung ginawa sa akin pero na-realize ko po that time, I was thinking about my dream. 'Yun lang po nasa isip ko, pumunta po ako ng kwarto na 'yun for my dream," he said. Maki also said he went home in tears not because of what the person did to him, but because he thought the industry might be too harsh for him to handle and be able to pursue his dream. "Maybe I'm not ready yet for this dream, so if my dream is too big, baka di ako big enough to achieve it." He also clarified to Abunda that the person did not physically violate him, saying, "Hindi po, hindi ko rin po hahayaan." Maki is known for the songs "Dilaw," "Saan?" "Kailan?" "Bughaw," "Kahel na Langit," and more. He is set to release his album "Kolorcoaster" on September 19. The Philippines has several mental health hotlines and services. These include: DOH-NCMH Hotline: 0917-899-8727 or 02-7989-8727; Natasha Goulbourn Foundation Hopeline: 0917-558-4673, 0918-873-4673 and 02-8804-4673; and In Touch Crisis Line: 0917-800-1123, 0922-893-8944 and 02-8893-7603. —CDC/LA, GMA Integrated News
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