**Trigger Warning: Mention of sexual exploitation, bipolar disorder, depression**
Bea Borres, a 21-year-old YouTuber and actress, opened up emotionally about the challenging experiences she faced during her youth. In an interview on *Toni Talks* aired on Sunday, August 25, 2024, Bea shared that despite having a complete family, she felt a lack of attention and love from her parents. She also revealed that, at a young age, she often witnessed her parents’ frequent arguments.
There were times, Bea shared, when her mother, overwhelmed by the situation with her husband, would take out her anger on Bea, leaving her with wounds and bruises. Despite this, Bea harbors no ill feelings toward her mother. She gradually came to understand her mother’s actions, especially after learning that her mother had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, bipolar disorder—formerly known as manic-depressive illness or manic depression—is a mental illness that causes “unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration.”
**Bea’s Traumatic Experiences**
Despite growing up in an imperfect family, Bea deeply loved her family. Her world was shattered when both her parents passed away in 2022 due to different illnesses.
After their death, Bea’s older brother took on the role of both father and mother, supporting and guiding her through the challenging times.
Despite their strained relationship while their parents were still alive, Bea’s older brother stepped up after their passing. Bea shared, “Growing up, we really lacked guidance, and actually, now, I really love my brother. I’m so proud of his small achievements. But growing up, our relationship wasn’t okay.”
At this point, Bea became emotional as she recalled the events that led to the breakdown of their relationship in the past.
Ayon kay Bea, nakaranas siya ng seksuwal na harassment mula mismo sa kanyang kapatid.
Nadiskubre niyang lihim daw siya nitong kinukunan ng video habang naliligo nang hubo’t hubad.
At pagkatapos ay ipinadala pa raw ng kanyang kuya ang video sa mga kaibigan kapalit ng pera.
Kuwento ni Bea: “So, binidyuhan niya ako while taking a bath, na naked.
“I think I was thirteen, fourteen.
“Hindi ko po alam [na binibidyuhan niya ako]. And then he took a video of me, and then he sent it to his friends for, I don’t know, for money, for… hindi ko alam, e.
“Nakita ko na habang kinakalikot ko yung phone niya. Sabi ko, ‘Kuya, borrow phone,’ kasi may mga games siya.
“Then, nag-open ako ng messenger ta’s nakita ko, ayaw ko pa po maniwala, pero ‘CR namin ‘to ah.’
“Tapos nakita ko, ‘My God, katawan ko!’
“Sabi ko, ‘Kuya, what’s this?’ Tapos hindi siya makasalita.
“Sabi niya, ‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Bea.’”
Nang isumbong ito ni Bea sa pamilya, hindi raw sila nag-atubiling gumawa ng aksyon para kastiguhin at bigyan ng leksyon ang kuya niya.
Lahad ni Bea: “Nagwawala na ako, pati yung tito ko, nagwawala na rin.
“Sabi niya [sa kuya ko], ‘Bakit mo ginaganyan yung kapatid mo? Bakit, anong ginawa sa yo?’
“Tapos [si Kuya] hindi na po siya makaimik kasi parang siguro na-realize niya na mali din ginawa niya.
“Then, umalis siya to the point na nag-worry lahat kasi baka kung anong gawin niya [sa sarili niya].
“Kasi si Kuya din po, bipolar din siya. Ang hirap kasi yung kuya ko bipolar and mommy ko rin bipolar. Ang hirap talaga growing up.
“Ayun nga, the next day, parang bumalik siya. Ako naman, iniyak ko na lang lahat.”
Pagpapatuloy ni Bea: “Pero yun nga, the next day, bumalik si Kuya [sa bahay]. Tapos tinatanong na nila, sabi ng family ko, sabi ng mom [and] dad ko, ‘Bea, ano, gusto mo bang ipakulong si Kuya mo? Tara na, ipa-blotter na natin.’
“Sabi ko, ‘Hindi po, huwag na, ipa-check niyo na lang po si Kuya.’
“Kasi feeling ko, if normal naman siya or hindi kami ganun lumaki na kulang kami sa love, feeling ko, hindi niya naman gagawin yon.”
#BeaBorres #ToniTalks #FamilyTrauma #BipolarDisorder #MentalHealthAwareness #SexualHarassment #SurvivorStory #PhilippineEntertainment #SiblingRelationships #OvercomingTrauma
