Ian De Leon reveals bitter truth about relationship with mom Nora Aunor: ‘This hypocrisy has to end’

In his vlog titled “The Bitter Truth” posted on his YouTube channel last December 13, actor Ian de Leon shared the story behind his non-appearance at the birthday party organized by his mom Nora Aunor with whom he had been estranged efor the past few years.

What prompted Ian to do the livestream video were the backlash of comments from fans of his mom who questioned why he chose not to take the opportunity to see her again on his birthday last December 11.

“Gusto ko bigyan ng liwanag ang mga bagay bagay lalo na sa pamilya namin. Lalo na sa mga kapatid ko. On their behalf, mag-o-open up na ako ng konti para at least alam ninyo ang totoo. Ma, mahal na mahal kita. Hindi magbabago yun. Pero kasi ang sakit na eh. Hindi ko na kayang manahimik pa. Lalong-lalo na sa mga kapatid ko,” he said.

The 45-year-old actor couldn’t help but get emotional when sharing how happy he felt when Nora first reached out to him.

“Let’s not play games anymore. Unang una sa lahat, kahit ang pamilya namin nasa industriya ng show business, kami ng pamilya ko mas pinipili naming maging private. Pero siyempre hindi maiiwasan yun dahil nasa industriya nga kami. Pero ang sa akin lang, ang gusto ko lang mangyari, kung ano ang magiging okasyon namin as a family, ang gusto ko yung kami-kami lang.

“Unang una sa lahat, tumawag ang mommy ko. Tuwang-tuwang tuwa ako kasi ilang taon kaming hindi nag-usap. Tuwang-tuwang tuwa ako dahil nag-I love you-han kami, nag-I miss you-han kami. Nagkuwentuhan kami. Plano niya nitong birthday ko maghahanda siya which ilang taong hindi nangyari yon. Nung nangyari siguro yun huli bata pa ako. If course, don’t get me wrong, I was truly happy. I was overfilled with joy. Nagbago ihip ng hangin. Lahat ng problema ko, lahat ng pinagdadaanan ng pamilya ko, lahat yun nawala nung sinabi ng mommy ko na magpaplano siya at magkikita kami itong birthday ko. Tuwang tuwa na ako,” he explained.

In the 38-minute vlog, Ian shared that his mom also apologized for all her shortcomings to him.

“The bitter truth ang title nito kasi gusto ko lang na malaman ninyo kung ano ang totoo. Kasi mas pipiliin ko at ng pamilya ko na mabuhay sa katotohanan kahit masakit at mahirap lunukin. Kesa sa nakikita ng tao masaya, everybody happy, pero deep inside pag nasa kuwarto, umiikot pa rin sa puso ko yung mga nanagyayari, yung mga sinasabi ng tao. This time, it’s not about the people. I am not doing this to please people. I am not doing this to put down anyone. I am doing this kasi gusto ko maglabas ng konting katotohanan tungkol sa aming pamilya,” he said.

The only child of Nora Aunor and Christopher de Leon shared how deeply hurt he was by his mom’s request after their heart-to-heart talk.

“Mommy, sobrang mahal na mahal kita. Hindi ko ipagpapalit ang buong mundo para sa ‘yo. Alam mo yan. Lahat ng mga tiniis namin buong buhay namin, mga kinikimkim namin, dahil mahal ka namin eh. Ibibigay ko ang buong buhay ko para sayo…. Bitter truth: ‘Yung phone call mo, nasaktan ako dahil kinabukasan tinext mo ako ng, ‘Anak, puwede ko bang gawing vlog ang pinag-usapan natin? Sumunod dun mayroon siyang gustong ipapunta na tao. Sagot ko, ‘Sorry, Ma. I don’t think na magiging comfortable kami,’” he added.

READ: Nora Aunor, lifetime achievement awardee sa 2020 Gawad Amerika

Ian said that he is aware and ready for the backlash he might get from netizens because of his vlog and why he chose to not meet his mom.

“This has to end. This hypocrisy has to end. We don’t like to live like this anymore. We don’t want to live a lie anymore,” he said.

During the vlog, Ian also gave an open message for his mom.

Shop at LAZADA’s 12.12 After Party Sale

“Ma, alam ko nanonood kayo. Uulitin ko, mahal na mahal kita. Hinding-hindi magbabago ‘yon, Ma. Pakiusap ko lang bigyan mo naman ng chance ang family mo. Bigyan niyo kami ng pagkakataon na alagaan ka, mahalin ka, lambingin ka, araw-araw. Pakiusap, Ma. ‘Yung mga tao sa paligid niyo, alisin niyo na ‘yan, pamilya mo naman. Nakikiusap ako, bilang anak mo, bilang anak mo na nagmamahal sa iyo. Ang hiling ko lang sa birthday ko ay maging Nora Cabaltera Villamayor ka, hindi ‘yung Nora Aunor. Gusto ko maranasan ng mga apo mo ‘yung pagmamahal na puwede mong i-share. Gusto ko makasama mo sila habang may lakas pa tayo,” he shared.