Gerald Santos decides to reinvent himself

Although what happened to him 19 years ago took a long time for him to come out in the open and disclose it, Gerald Santos felt there was really a time for everything.

- By LEAH C. SALTERIO

Following the headline-hogging sexual abuse that Sandro Muhlach allegedly experienced last year, Gerald also bravely went public with the same thing he experienced with a veteran songwriter nearly two decades ago.

"That was not abrupt when I decided to expose what happened," Gerald said. "Back in 2022, I also shared it in an interview with Butch Francisco. It just so happened there was a big name in the music industry that got involved in the issue.

"Because of what I went through last year, a lot of people told me I was courageous," Gerald said. "At the same time, I felt naked in public. When I came out in the open about what happened to me nearly two decades ago, I really felt naked in public. Those two words perfectly define me."

"When I came out in the open last year, I realized how hard it was for the victims of sexual abuse," Gerald said. "Other victims approached me, like (singer) Enzo Almario, who experienced sexual abuse in 2008 when he was only 12 years old.

"I was the breadwinner at that time," Gerald disclosed. "Instead of focusing on filing a complaint at that time, I opted to concentrate in making a living for my family.

"What I went through was not a good experience, but it made me a strong person. That gave me whatever wisdom I have now. So in time, I developed my strength as a person, not just because of what happened but everything that I went through."

Gerald is willing to extend help to other victims so they can bravely come out in the open and expose what they experienced.

"As of now, we are partnering with PAO (Public Attorney's Office) and we are extending psychological therapy to the victims to strengthen our foundation.