A Single Mother at 16, Valerie Concepcion Had to Work: Walang Aasahan Kundi Sarili

Heartbroken, the actress picked up the pieces and used her pain to her advantage

PHOTO BY@v_concepcion/Instagram

Valerie Concepcion revealed in an episode of ABS-CBN’s “Magandang Buhay” that because she got pregnant out of wedlock at a young age, she had no choice but to become responsible and mature at only 16 years old.

“Tinago ko [sa parents ko] na may boyfriend ako, tapos biglang buntis na nga. Habang buntis pa ako, kinukulong ako sa bahay kasi natatakot sila na baka makipagtanan ako. Kasi na-in love talaga ako nung time na yun sa tatay ng anak ko,” the 31-year-old actress recalled.

The mom of one thought she would have a happy ending with the father of her child, him being her first boyfriend, as in a fairy tale. And while the guy offered to marry Valerie, her parents said no because she was not even of legal age yet.

“Sabi nila, ‘Pag 18 na siya at nasa legal age na siya puwede siyang magpakasal, kung gusto niya pang magpakasal, bumalik ka na lang,” she said.

“Una iyak-iyak lang ako. Hindi ba dadating yung guy? Hindi ba kami ise-save? Hindi ba kami kukunin?” Valerie remained hopeful for a future with the father of her child, but she later realized that he was never coming back. She resolved to pick up the pieces, using her heartbreak to her advantage.

“Sabi ko [sa sarili ko] ‘Kung wala akong aasahan, kailangan sa sarili ko, magtrabaho na ako, kasi may buhay na akong susuportahan e. So, automatic, yung mother’s instinct ko lumabas,” adding it was with the help of her parents and their guidance that she was able to survive being a young mother.

Raising a teenager

Though her daughter Heather Fiona is only 14 years old, Valerie says she has been honest with her from the beginning about the identity of her father, whom she has never met.

“Bata pa lang sya, hindi ako nagsisinungaling. Sinasagot ko nang maayos, ini-explain ko lahat. Kahit hindi pa nya nakikita in person yung dad nya, pinakita ko yung picture. Eto yung tatay mo, eto ang pangalan nya. Wala akong sinisikreto sa kanya,” she says.

She feels this openness she showed her daughter is the reason why the teenager is also quite candid with her. It’s something she appreciates, having learned from her own experience.