Phoemela Baranda reveals she has 14-year-old daughter

MANILA, Philippines - After keeping it a secret for over a decade, model-TV host Phoemela Baranda admitted she has a 14-year-old daughter.

The 33-year-old model-TV host told ABS-CBN’s showbiz talk show “Buzz ng Bayan” on Sunday, Oct. 27, that she had her daughter Kim when she was 18, during the height of her career as a model.

Phoemela said it was her mom who urged her to hide the pregnancy, adding that her mother did not approve of her boyfriend at that time. She fled to the United States during the fourth month of her pregnancy. Phoemela further explained Kim grew up thinking she was her aunt, her cousin and, later on, her sister.

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“I can’t talk to my mom anymore,” Phoemela said. “Kami ni Kim, inaayos ko ngayon. Binibigyan niya ako ng chance to fix everything. Yung sa mommy ko, yung sa akin, hindi ko na maaayos.”

Phoemela’s mother died in 2009.

“Siguro sana mas binigyan ko ng mas maraming oras yung mommy ko and si Kim that time,” she added.

“Siguro kung inayos ko yung sa mommy ko, papayag siya na ayusin ko na at sabihin sa lahat. Pero hindi ko na nagawa dahil sa bilis ng panahon na lumipas.”

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Kim joined her mother during the TV interview.

“In-explain naman sa akin that they did it for security, for her career. I know naman how showbiz is,” Kim said.

“I think I’m kind of mature enough. Growing up I was raised to be strong,” Kim said when asked if she’s ready to handle the attention because of Phoemela’s confession.