The mother of the all-girl Filipino group 4th Impact became emotional when she defended her daughters from bashers.

During a recent Zoom meeting from Las Vegas, Nevada, Erlina Cercado, the mother of 4th Impact members, opened up about the emotional toll negative comments take on her when she hears or reads them about her daughters.

“Kapag napupuri po yung mga bata, iba yung nararamdaman ng isang nanay. Talagang proud na proud ako. Dun po naman sa mga nababasa namin, January, February 2024 po nag-start yung bashers, iniiyak ko na lang po," Erlina said.

(When my children are praised, a mother feels differently. I am proud. From what we read, the bashers started in January or February 2024; I'm just crying.)

“Basta sinasabi ko palagi sa mga anak ko, magpakumbaba na lang tayong lahat, pero masakit. Una po sa lahat, bilang isang nanay, masakit, kasi nakikita ko yung mga sakripisyo ng mga anak ko magmula noong bata.

(I always tell my children, let's all be humble, but it hurts. First of all, as a mother, it hurts because I see the immense sacrifices of my children since their early years.)

“Hindi sila nakakapaglaro. Teenager, focus sila sa pag-aaral. Hanggang makatapos, kumakanta pa rin sila. Kaya sabi ko sa kanila, 'Pasensiya na kayo kasi naging mahirap lang ang mga magulang ninyo.' Naaawa rin ako sa kanila kasi bina-bash sila," she also said.

(They can't play. As teenagers, they focus on their studies. Until the end, they are still singing. So I told them, 'I'm sorry because your parents were poor.' I also feel sorry for them because they are being bashed.)

Erlina praised her daughters Almira, Irene, Mylene, and Celina, who grew up to be responsible and helpful individuals.

"Sa dami ng mga kamag-anak namin na mamamatay, yung ipon nila, ibibigay pa nila para panggamot. Yung pinsan nila na walang gatas, (magbibigay sila). Nakikita ko sa kanila, wala na silang naiipon, pero lagi nilang sinasabi, ‘Mama, kawawa naman si pinsan ko, walang gatas yung baby niya," the mother said.

(With the number of our relatives who are going to die, they will give their savings for medical treatment. They will provide if their cousins ​don't have money to buy milk for their baby. I can see from them that they don't have anything to save, but they always say, ' Mama, my cousin is poor; her baby has no milk.)

“Kahit wala kaming pera, hindi kami pinababayaan ng Diyos. Nandito kami sa U.S., nakakakain kami sa oras. Nakakabayad kami ng mga renta. Sabi ko, miracle itong nangyari sa buhay namin. 

(Even if we don't have money, God does not abandon us. Here in the U.S., we can eat on time. We pay the rent. I said it's a miracle that happened in our lives.)

"Kahit maraming bashers, sabi ko, praise lang para sa kaluwalhatian ng Diyos. Yun na lang ang sinasabi ko sa mga anak ko kaya nagpapasalamat ako bilang nanay dahil napakamasunurin talaga ng mga anak ko. Minsan, naaawa ako sa kanila. Grabe ang hard work nila," Erlina said.

(Even though there are many bashers, I say let's praise the glory of God. That's all I say to my children, so I'm grateful as a mother because my children are obedient. Sometimes, I feel sorry for them. Their hard work is great.)

The 4th Impact gained fame after competing in the 12th season of the British reality singing contest, The X Factor. They were the ninth contestant to be eliminated.

The girl group is now in the US for the "Pinoy Champs" show, which will be held at the Celebrity Centre on June 21. Angel R&J Productions LLC will produce the show.

US-based promoter Vic Perez said this would be the first concert of 4th Impact in Las Vegas.