“The Voice Kids” third placer Juan Karlos Labajo said in an interview with “Aquino & Abunda Tonight” aired on Monday August 18, 2014 that he was bullied in school before he became popular because of the singing competition.
Watch the interview:
The 13-year-old artist said that some his school mates would tease him because of his mixed race. Juan Karlos Labajo’s mother is a Filipina while his father is a German.
Juan Karlos Labajo is now being taken care by his uncle Giovanni Labajo since his mother passed away in 2013 while his father left his family when he was born.
“Marami din pong nag-bu-bully sa akin, especially po sa school, noon po. Kasi po ‘yung parang not accepted by the community,” he said.
His maternal grandmother, who sat beside him during the interview, said that there was a time that Juan Karlos Labajo was punched for several times by the students. Despite what happened, he managed to avoid having encounters with them.
When asked if he is still affected by the bullies until now, the Cebu-native said that he is thankful with them because they keep him motivated to perform better.
“Actually po, to all the bashers and the haters, nagpapasalamat po ako kasi naging motivation ko po kayo na mag-perform better,” he said.
Meanwhile, Juan Karlos is set to join the casts of the family drama series “Hawak Kamay” which airs every weeknights after “TV Patrol” on Primetime Bida block.