MANILA, Philippines (Updated 1:05 p.m.)— Former Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Sarah Balabagan claimed that Kapuso broadcaster Arnold Clavio is the father of her first born.
“Ang ama po ng panganay ko ay yes, si Arnold Clavio po," Sarah said in a recent Facebook live video.
My response to Arnold Clavio Issue. And If you have questions , you can join me at my radio program #SariSarah every Tuesday 7pm pacific time or Wednesday 10am pinas time @ #PHLVRADIO. Thank you all for your prayers, love & support. God bless you all! With Jun Santiago Sereno
Posted by Sarah Balabagan Sereno on Thursday, August 20, 2020
Sarah said she finally revealed her secret after 22 years because the issue resurfaced again. She assured watchers that she asked her husband's and family's consent first before speaking up because she respects them.
“Kaya ko 'to ginagawa dahil after 22 years, lumabas na naman. Sabi nga nila, walang bahong hindi lalabas. Hindi naman po ako nalungkot dahil by God’s grace, masaya na ako sa buhay ko,” she said.
“Paano ‘pag wala na ako sa mundo? Tapos hindi ko ito kinorek? Baka mamaya maging multo pa ito sa anak ko."
It can be recalled that the late ambassador Roy Seneres and broadcaster Rey Langit, Sarah's former radio co-host, were among those rumored to be the father of her first child.
Sarah, however, said that it was the former ambassador and his family who helped her while she was pregnant.
“Si late ambasador Roy po ang tumulong sa akin nu’ng ako ay nabuntis. Tinulungan niya ako para hindi kumalat sa public. Para hindi masira ang image ko noon at ‘yung image nu’ng taong ‘yun," she said.
“Kinupkop ako at itinago ni ambassador pero ang nakakalungkot, e, sinasabi nilang siya raw ang ama."
Sarah shared that she met Arnold when the GMA broadcaster was exclusively covering her murder case.
“Nagkakilala kami ni Arnold nu’ng panahong ako ay nakapiit pa at dinalaw nila ako doon. Naging close kami noon ni ‘Kuya Arnold’… At nu’ng unuwi ako sa Pilipinas noong August 1, 1996, isa po siya sa mga nag-cover ng kaso ko. Naging exclusive lang niya ang story," she said.
Sarah was imprisoned in the United Arab Emirates for murder. She stabbed her employer 34 times after he tried to rape her. She was only 14 when she began her job for the 67-year-old windower with four sons.
Sarah was initially sentenced to death but her sentence was later reduced to a year's imprisonment and 100 cane strokes, along with the payment of blood money that was sponsored by a Filipino businessman. She later returned to the Philippines. Her story was made into a 1997 film starring Vina Morales.
She shared that Arnold gave her her first tour of Manila and she admitted that they had a relationship from 1996 to 1997. She said they both agreed to keep their affair a secret and never confess about it.
But when Sarah, a former Muslim, became a devout Christian, she ended her relationship with Clavio and forgave him. She professed that forgiving him was not easy, but she had to do it to move on.
She said that Clavio's wife also reached out to her to also forgive her.
In her live video, Sarah again extended her apologies to Clavio's wife and family, and also to her own family, for the pain that their affair caused.
Before ending her video, Sarah clarified that she made the video not to take vengeance on anyone, but simply, to set the record straight.
"May mga nagtatanong sa'kin, 'Galit ka ba d'un sa nag-post (about her love child with Arnold)? Ang sabi ko nga, 'Hindi po. It's God's will para maitama ko na 'yung mga dapat i-tama'."
According to a 2017 Associated Press report, Sarah now lives with her family in Las Vegas. She has five children and is an advocate helping fellow immigrants who became victims of human trafficking.