Julia Christine Botin

Anthony Jennings’ ex Jam Villanueva speaks out: ‘My self-worth is non-negotiable’

Article (news)

Josh Mercado

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1738208816178image0 (4).jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Ampong Dental has introduced its whitening oral care kit, a doctor-formulated set of products. <em>Photo by Josh Mercado</em></span></span></span></div><p>Jam Villanueva has become a hot topic after exposing her ex-boyfriend Anthony Jennings&#x27; alleged cheating with actress Maris Racal, for which both Jennings and Racal have apologized.</p><p>Following the controversy, Villanueva, now an internet sensation, said she turned off the noise to focus on herself, and on Wednesday, a brave Villanueva made her first-ever public appearance at the launch of Ampong Dental Essentials, which she endorses.</p><p>What did she learn from the experiences she went through? “My self-worth is non-negotiable. Never lose yourself in the process kung anong nangyayari sa buhay mo. Kailangang kilala mo ang sarili mo. Alam mo ‘yung values and principles ng sarili mo.”</p><p>“As much as possible pinipili ko ‘yung mga taong nakapaligid sa akin na talagang support system na ipupunta ka talaga sa tama at sasabihin kung mali ang ginagawa mo,” she added.</p><p>Villanueva spoke again about loving and prioritizing herself. </p><p>“People may come and go but at the end of the day sarili mo lang din talaga ang nandiyan sa tabi mo,” she emphasized.</p><p>After turning off the noise and going through therapy, Villanueva said she tries to enjoy life by doing things she enjoys and being around by good people.</p><p>“Inaaliw ko rin po ‘yung sarili ko sa mga hobbies na ginagawa ko. Andiyan din po ang kapatid ko. Dalawa lang po kami ng kapatid ko. We just enjoy our life sa probinsya sa Laguna. Sinu-surround ko rin po ‘yung sarili ko ng mga tamang tao and they give me enough happiness and peace na kailangan ko,” she told ABS-CBN News.</p><p>“Nagpa-therapy po ako for a few months. ‘Yun po talaga ang nakatulong sa akin. May heart problem din po ako... 6 years old pa lang po ako, may heart problem na,” she added.</p><p>During the group interview, Villanueva was also politely asked why she exposed everything online.</p><p>“Na-push lang din talaga ako kasi ang daming nangyari. I’m just a normal person. I don’t have anyone to defend me. Ang hirap din po na you’re constantly judged by the people,” she said.</p><p>Villanueva also revealed that she has received death threats from online users.</p><p>“Sometimes I read (comments) po talaga. Kaya po ako pumitik noon kasi nadamay po nila ang family ko. Dalawa na lang po kami ng kapatid ko and dinamay nila ang kapatid ko. Even my parents na up there na… ‘yun po talaga ang disrespect na I can’t take. I even received death threats. Marami po. Like ‘sana mamatay na kayo ng kapatid mo.’ The hardest part is ‘yung sinasabi nila na ‘very disgrace ako sa parents ko,’” she confessed. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1738208876395image1 (5).jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Jam Villanueva meets the press to talk about her first ever endorsement, Ampong Dental. <em>Photo by Josh Mercado</em></span></span></span></div><div><strong>New beginnings, more opportunities </strong></div><p>Villanueva begins her new era with a strong belief in self-improvement and progress.</p><p>“Moving on is not just about forgetting the past. It is also about choosing yourself in the present at kung paano mo itatayo ulit ang sarili mo despite ng mga nangyayari.”</p><p>As part of her moving on process, she stated, “Wala na po akong koneksyon sa mga tao na nasa loob ng issue. Ang plan ko po is to just focus sa sarili ko and i-build ‘yung career. Very contented. Moving forward naman po. Process pa rin po. ‘Yung forgiveness po, hindi po sobrang daling process, but I’m getting there. Diyos nga po nagpapatawad, e.”</p><p>Her message to those involved in the issue: “I wish them well. ‘Yun naman po talaga. Very nakakatanggal po ng tinik sa puso kapag nakarinig ka ng &#x27;sorry&#x27; at grabe rin po ang matatanggal na tinik sa puso mo kapag nagpatawad ka kasi parang na-release mo na lahat ng mabibigat sa puso mo.”</p><p>Is she planning to go into show business? She replied, “Definitely not in my mind po talaga ang showbiz but more on parang I wanted to be the voice of those people who have the same situation sa akin.”</p><p>Villanueva then thanked Dra. Camille Ampong and Gayle Oblea of Ampong Dental for their confidence in her as a newly introduced endorser.</p><p>“Ito po ang unang endorsement ko. Siyempre, very grateful po ako. I started from nowhere. I think kaya rin po ako napa-oo because I believe in brands na nag-a-align sa values ko. Ang smile po natin is very powerful. It’s not all about appearance. It’s about feeling strong enough sa sarili,” she said. </p><p>She added, “Ever since December may opportunities na mga lumalapit po but as much as possible hindi ko rin naman po sila ine-entertain kasi I don’t want it to look na ginagamit ko ‘yung issue para makuha ‘yung opportunities. Ngayong bagong taon, marami na tayong napag-isipan. Nakaka-shock na first endorsement ay may billboard agad. Super grateful po.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2024/12/6/exclusive-maris-racal-breaks-her-silence-i-am-sorry-1202" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EXCLUSIVE: Maris Racal breaks her silence on cheating controversy: ‘I am sorry’</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2024/12/6/maris-racal-says-she-came-clean-to-ex-before-they-split-1353" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Maris Racal says she &#x27;came clean&#x27; to &#x27;ex&#x27; before they split</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2024/12/6/anthony-jennings-apologizes-to-maris-racal-jamela-villanueva-1853" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Anthony Jennings apologizes to Maris Racal, Jamela Villanueva</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2024/12/6/maris-racal-says-sorry-amid-leaked-messages-with-anthony-jennings-2220" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Maris Racal says sorry amid leaked messages with Anthony Jennings</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-h7y-c36ZyI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lnx-TAdducY?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VYXTcNELuAQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F-HfXr2KeIM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kmCMRO4OOiM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ktRrRrTg0qU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Iq6R7n0k-fs?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Jam Villanueva has become a hot topic after exposing her ex-boyfriend Anthony Jennings' alleged cheating with actress Maris Racal, for which both Jennings and Racal have apologized.</p>

Jam Villanueva has become a hot topic after exposing her ex-boyfriend Anthony Jennings' alleged cheating with actress Maris Racal, for which both Jennings and Racal have apologized.