Former Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Sarah Balabagan has confirmed years of speculation that Kapuso newscaster Arnold Clavio is the father of her eldest child.
“Sabi nga nila, walang bahong hindi lalabas,” said Sarah, now a US-based radio announcer and immigrant issues advocate, in her Facebook Live on August 22.
Sarah explained that she has decided to finally reveal the identity of her firstborn’s father for the welfare of her other children.
“In respect sa aking asawa, kay Jun Sereno dahil nirerespeto ko po ang aking asawa, humingi po ako sa kanya ng pahintulot o permission na magsalita para once and for all maging malinaw na kung sino ba talaga ang ama ng panganay ko,” she further said.
She added that a viral post on social media gave her the opportunity to finally clear up the matter.
“Ang ama po ng panganay ko ay, yes, si Arnold Clavio po. Siya po ang ama ng panganay ko,” she revealed.
In 1994, Sarah made headlines all over the world after she was imprisoned for killing her employer in the United Arab Emirates when he allegedly tried to rape her.
She shared that she met Arnold because he was exclusively covering her murder case.
“Alam ko pong nagkasala po ako at saludo po ako sa kanyang may bahay, sa kanyang asawa, dahil nung malaman niya yung totoo, talagang sinuportahan niya si Arnold,” she said.
“Kahit bata pa ako nuon, marami akong pwedeng gamiting dahilan para i-justify yung mga pangyayari, pero hindi na po. Naintindihan ko po na yun ay kasalanan,” she added.
Sarah said that she’s grateful to Arnold’s wife for reaching out to her to forgive her for her relationship with the broadcaster when she was only 17 years old.
“Gusto ko pong salamantahin itong pagkakataon na ito na, again, sa asawa ni Arnold Clavio, patawarin mo ako kung nasaktan ko damdamin mo nung mga panahon na nagka-relasyon kami ni Arnold nung mga 1996, 1997. Ganun din po sa mga anak ni Arnold, patawarin niyo ako dahil nasaktan ko kayo, nasaktan ko ang nanay niyo,” she said.
She also asked for her eldest child’s forgiveness for bringing her into the world with such circumstances.
Sarah said that she kept it a secret all these years upon the advice of Arnold.
“Alam niyo po, sa totoo lang, nakapag-move on na ko. Napatawad ko na nuon pa man si Arnold Clavio, lalo na po nung nakilala ko ang Panginoon, kasi hindi po madali magpatawad. By God’s grace, napatawad ko po siya…of course, kailangan ko po yun gawin dahil para maka-move on na po ako,” she said.
As of writing, the veteran broadcast journalist has not reacted to Sarah’s revelation.
Sarah was imprisoned and initially sentenced to death in the United Arab Emirates for stabbing her employer after an alleged rape attempt. She was only 14 years old when she started her job with the 67-year-old.
Her sentence was reduced to a year’s imprisonment, 100 lashes and blood money paid by a Filipino businessman before she was deported back to the country. A film on her ordeal, The Sarah Balabagan Story, was released in 1997.
