Liza Soberano

The nation has long adored Liza Soberano for her beauty, talent, and grace. But behind the star’s radiant smile lies a harrowing childhood story she has carried in silence for years. In her newly released interview in Sarah Bahbah’s YouTube vlog "Can I Come In," the 26-year-old actress opened up about the unimaginable abuse she endured as a child in America — a story so raw that the video has already amassed 2.1 million views in just a few days.

For the first time, Soberano described in detail the violence and neglect she suffered, not only from her mother’s boyfriend but also from a foster guardian entrusted with her care.

“I was only two years old,” Liza recalled, “when my mom’s boyfriend, Michael, stole a van and kept us inside. I remember trying to escape from my car seat. When he caught me, he told me to bash my baby brother’s head with it. When I refused, he hit me in the head with the butt of a gun.”

The incident ended with her mother being hospitalized and imprisoned, leaving Liza and her younger brother in foster care. That, she revealed, was only the beginning of years of cruelty.

Placed under the guardianship of a woman named Melissa — who was supposed to be her mother’s high school friend — Liza was subjected to degrading and inhumane treatment. She recalled being mocked as “the family dog” and forced to sit inside a cardboard box during family movie nights.

The abuse escalated in ways that would leave lifelong scars. “One day their dog pooped on the carpet,” Liza said, her voice trembling. “I went to get a brush, but Melissa stopped me. She grabbed the back of my head and forced me to lick it. That’s when I realized she didn’t see me as a child — she saw me as less than human.”

Soberano also recounted nights when she was locked in the garage without food, and threatened that her little brother would be stuffed in the freezer if she made noise. She described the manipulation that kept her silent: “Whenever the social worker was about to visit, she’d suddenly be kind. She’d give me candy, tell me she loved me. So when asked, I’d lie and say everything was fine.”

But the truth eventually surfaced. During one surprise visit, the social worker found Liza malnourished, her stomach bloated from days without food, her body marked by bruises. “That’s when I stopped lying to protect her,” Liza said.

Reflecting on her early life, the actress admitted that the abuse left deep psychological imprints. “I developed this habit of making myself small out of fear of being a burden,” she explained. “I tolerated disrespect and abuse because I was afraid of losing people who were never afraid of losing me.”

Despite the trauma, Soberano credits her grandparents in California for eventually rescuing her and her brother, providing them with stability before they were sent to live with their father in the Philippines. Still, she says the scars of childhood made her vulnerable even in her later relationships and career.

The courage to finally speak came, she said, from a desire to release herself from shame. “I never feel like anybody actually listens to me, even when I’m crying for help,” she confessed. “But I want people to know: don’t tolerate abuse. Don’t stay silent because you’re afraid of rocking the boat. Love yourself first.”

Her story has since sparked an outpouring of support online, with fans and fellow celebrities praising her bravery for breaking the silence. By revisiting the darkest chapters of her past, Liza Soberano has turned personal pain into a powerful reminder: even stars can carry invisible wounds, and speaking out can be the first step toward healing.