Rustom Padilla Gets Emotional as He Publicly Acknowledges Child with Carmina Villarroel for the First Time

In an unexpected yet heartfelt moment that left fans stunned and touched, Rustom Padilla — now known as BB Gandanghari — has made a rare and emotional public acknowledgment of the child he once shared with actress Carmina Villarroel.

The revelation came during a livestream on BB’s personal channel, where she opened up about her journey of acceptance, personal truth, and the emotional weight of her past. While BB has long been vocal about her gender transition and personal evolution, this marks the first time she has directly spoken about the child from her former relationship with Carmina in such a vulnerable, public way.

A Tearful Admission: “You are still part of me”

Midway through the livestream, BB paused, took a deep breath, and said:

“There’s something I’ve kept for years — out of pain, out of fear, out of love. But today, I just want to say… I see you. I’ve always carried you in my heart.”

Fans were shocked and moved as BB tearfully acknowledged her connection to the child she and Carmina never publicly spoke about — a child many didn’t even know existed, as their past relationship was short-lived and shrouded in showbiz mystery.

BB continued, “I may not have been there, I may not have had the courage to face everything then… but I want to say this now, with all my heart: You are part of me, and I hope someday we can talk, heart to heart.”

Revisiting the Past: A Love Once Kept Quiet

Rustom Padilla and Carmina Villarroel were one of the most talked-about couples in the early ’90s, their relationship unfolding under the glare of the showbiz spotlight. They married in 1994, but separated shortly after, with many speculating about the reasons behind their sudden split.

Years later, Rustom publicly came out as gay on national television in 2006 through Pinoy Big Brother, and later transitioned into BB Gandanghari. Carmina, meanwhile, moved on with her life and built a family with actor Zoren Legaspi, with whom she shares twins, Mavy and Cassy.

But this recent revelation suggests that the love story between Carmina and Rustom may have left behind a deeper and more complex legacy than the public ever knew.

Is There Really a Child?

Social media exploded following BB’s livestream, with fans asking: Is this a metaphor, or is there really a biological child involved? Some netizens speculated that BB might be referring to one of Carmina’s children, or perhaps a lost pregnancy.

Others believe BB’s statement might be symbolic — an emotional recognition of a life that could have been or was never openly acknowledged.

So far, Carmina Villarroel has remained silent on the matter. Her camp has refused to release a statement, fueling even more speculation about what really transpired between her and Rustom decades ago.

Netizens React: From Shock to Sympathy

The emotional confession quickly became viral, with hashtags like #BBGandanghariConfession, #RustomAndCarmina, and #AnakNiRustom trending within hours.

Many viewers expressed compassion and support for BB’s openness, calling her confession “brave,” “raw,” and “long overdue.”

One user wrote:

“BB may have lived a new life, but you can feel the pain she’s carried from her past. That’s a motherly love, even if it’s wrapped in decades of silence.”

Another added:

“Whether the child is literal or symbolic, what BB showed us is the importance of healing — no matter how late it comes.”

Healing, Forgiveness, and the Future

Toward the end of her livestream, BB said she wasn’t making the confession to reopen old wounds or ask for anything in return. She simply wanted to express something that had weighed on her for far too long.

“We live many lives in one lifetime,” she said. “And sometimes, we leave parts of ourselves behind — people we hurt, people we love, even those we never got to know. I just want peace. For myself. For Carmina. For that child, wherever they are.”

Whether or not Carmina Villarroel or her family will respond remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: BB Gandanghari has taken a powerful step toward closure — and perhaps, a long-awaited reunion with a piece of her past.

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