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'PBB Otso': Marie reunites with biological mother after 23 years

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/entertainment/01/15/2019115-pbb.jpg"/><figcaption>Marie Songalia could barely look at her mother, who put up her for adoption when she was still a baby. <em>PBB Otso</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Growing up, Marie Songalia always felt incomplete.</p><p>Her foster parents may have treated her well, but she has longed to know the whole story, to see the face of the woman who put her up for adoption and to find out the reason why. </p><p>Many years of wondering, praying, and searching online have yielded nothing. She began to accept the fact that she may never know her mother&#x27;s identity, counting her lucky stars that she has parents who care for her, even if they were not her real ones.</p><p>But when &quot;Pinoy Big Brother&quot; (PBB) offered to help her, Songalia did not hesitate to take their hand. </p><p>She started her life under the reality show&#x27;s spotlight as a &quot;guest&quot; housemate. The boys of the current adult edition were tasked to help her via the use of social media -- the use of which they had to earn through a series of random challenges. </p><p>There were worries that the boys might have found it too difficult, especially when the girls found out about their &quot;secret task,&quot; but the housemates managed to grant Songalia&#x27;s wish. </p><p>This Monday, the moment Songalia met with her real mother, Eunice Vergara, for the first time aired. </p><div><script src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&amp;version=v2.5" async="" type="text/javascript"></script></div><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXMkp-R-aN8" data-width="auto"> </div><p>It was not a joyous reunion, as some might have expected, given the celebratory feel of having a dinner for just the two of them prepared inside the &quot;PBB&quot; house, but there&#x27;s no doubt the emotions on display from Songalia and her mom were sincere. </p><p>Clearly in disbelief, Songalia could not even look at her mother, constantly avoiding her eyes and shielding them with her hands. </p><p>It has been 23 years in the making and despite saying that she has long wanted this moment, Songalia could not find any words, let alone the right ones, when they were finally face-to-face. </p><p>Watch the emotional moment below: </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pgPQwZDGqtI?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0O-YSX8WA0U?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>By the end, Songalia asked her mother for time. &quot;Hindi ko po talaga alam kung ano iyong mararamdaman ko,&quot; she said. </p><p>Vergara, who repeatedly apologized for abandoning her, responded by letting her know: &quot;Basta nandito lang ako bilang nanay niya, kung kikilalanin niya akong nanay niya.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Welcome naman po ang mga kamay kong yumakap sa kanya.&quot; </p><p>Vergara explained that she agreed to have Songalia adopted due to multiple reasons: a promise of a better life for her daughter abroad being the chief one. </p><p>But that broke down with Songalia revealing that she had visa troubles in previous episodes and she ended up in the care of her foster parents, who are a lesbian couple. </p><p>Vergara said that she, too, has been searching for her daughter online. </p>