Oprah Invited to Jake’s wedding

Yes, of course, if and when Jake Zyrus and his partner Shyre Aquino finalize the date and venue of their wedding, Jake said that he would invite Oprah Winfrey, after all Oprah (in absentia) was among those who served as godparents (together with Boy Abunda and Your Funfarer) to then Charice Pempengco when she was baptized and confirmed in Catholic rites after she converted from Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC).

“But nothing is final yet,” clarified Jake last Wednesday after the presscon for Frontrow Cares which will be launched in a big charity music festival set for Dec. 16 at the SM Mall Of Asia (MOA) Concert Grounds. “For now, it’s enough that we have announced our engagement, that I am hers and she is mine.”

Jake wouldn’t even tell what kind of wedding it would be. Jake is Catholic, Shyre is Christian.

Since same-sex marriage is not recognized in the Philippines, Jake confessed that he and Shyre plan to have it abroad (Canada or the US?) where same-sex marriage is legal. More than that, Jake begged off from revealing any other details, saying, “Sa aming dalawa na lang ‘yon, after all everything about my life is in the book,” referring to his controversial autobiography I Am Jake which was released recently.

Asked if he would invite her Ninang Oprah, Jake said, “Why not,” adding in jest, “if she’s not busy, she can always use her private plane going to the venue.”

Asked further who would be invited to the “very private” event, Jake said, “The date is too far pa and we haven’t even started the preparation for it. But for sure, very limited ang guests…only really close friends. Ilan lang naman ang close friends ko, di ba?” 

Hmmm, maybe…10?

“Even less pa,” Jake smiled, again adding, “those are details that we still have to discuss. Basta, we are happy that we have let people know our real status.”

What about his estranged mom, Raquel Pempengco?

“They will be invited,” admitted Jake, “but it would hurt kung wala sila doon.”

Raquel denounced Jake’s book as being full of “untruths” but Jake took it in stride, simply shrugged it off.

“By now,” he explained, “the public should know what our family relationship is like. We are in something like a game — you know, parang kampihan. I’m resigned to the fact that our family is like that. Iba-iba ang paniniwala. From the start, my life has been an open book and I know that some people are against it. Even if I didn’t write a book, even if I only released an album, mayroon pa ring hindi mag-a-agree. But that will change nothing.”

He might not be here this Christmas since he has signed up for shows abroad.

Jake with (from left) Frontrow founders Sam Verzosa and R.S. Francisco, Stephen Ku (of World Womb) and Tim Yap who hosted the launch presscon for Frontrow Cares.

But on Dec. 16, Jake is definitely performing in Frontrow Cares’ The Biggest Charity Music Festival (of the Year) together with Ely Buendia, Parokya ni Edgar, Billy Crawford, Gloc 9, Callalily, Andrew E, Spongecola, plus Ex-Battalion, Chicser, DJ Ace Ramos and Frontrow’s homegrown talents Luxxe Stars.

“Many more artists are willing to perform gratis et amore,” said R.S. Francisco, Frontrow co-founder with Sam Versoza. “It’s been a great year and we can’t think of doing anything more apt than to formally introduce Frontrow Cares. We’ve been in touch with various organizations for suite some time now, but we want to extend this mission to people outside Frontrow who might want to give more to inspire more.” (Note: R.S. produced and starred in the restaging of M. Butterfly and donated the proceeds to 28 charities.)

Back to Jake…

Since it’s Christmas, the season of glad tidings and goodwill, will he have the heart to make peace with his mom Raquel?

“Make peace are not the right words,” Jake said. “Wala sa dibdib ko na may kaaway ako. It’s not a war, wala ‘yung hate. As I said, our family is not like other families and we are better off na hindi magkakasama. You know naman how my family has a different perspective pagdating sa aking sexuality, but the fact remains that I am happy with who I am and who I am with. I know that my heart is in a good place.“

R.S. on Jake: Our hearts are with the LGBT community.

Incidentally, Jake has been getting testosterone injections for more than one year and a half. He said it would take almost four more years (“And a lot of patience”) before he reaches the limit.

And then, something more, uhm, “invasive?”

“Like sex reassignment?” asked Jake. “Who can tell?”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)