Viva Hot Babe Jennifer Lee recalls losing father, baby last February

MANILA — Losing both her father and unborn son was a devastating blow for Jennifer Lee, but the former Viva Hot Babe has found comfort in the company of her fellow group members as she continues to cope with grief.

With the Viva Hot Babes set to reunite for a concert on October 23 at New Frontier Theater in Quezon City, Lee said being with the women she considers family has helped lift her spirits during a difficult period in her life.

Lee shared her heartbreaking story in an interview with Bernadette Sembrano.

“Kasi medyo fresh pa talaga. Mahirap talaga pag-usapan. I lost my baby and my dad nitong February. Sabay. Noong nilibing ang dad ko, nag-stop heartbeat ng baby ko. I was two months pregnant. Noong time na ‘yon nawala ‘yung kapatid ni Jediel, he was a baby boy may pangalan siya, we named him Juriel,” a crying Lee said.

“Ang hirap kasi hanggang ngayon when I’m alone o kapag hindi busy, hindi kami nagre-rehearse, wala kami sa guesting, kasi minsan ang nakikita ng tao ‘yung glamour, make-up  and all, pero pag-uwi may bigat kang dinadala,” she added.

Lee said the support of her fellow Viva Hot Babes has helped her cope with the pain, even if only temporarily.

“Nakakalimutan ko nag-e-enjoy ako, napapangiti. Alam mo ‘yung nawawala ang bigat na dala-dala mo. ‘Yung love namin sa isa’t isa ay nangingibabaw doon sa sadness,” Lee said.

Lee agreed that their upcoming reunion as a group is a blessing for her.

Apart from Lee, Viva Hot Babes members Katya Santos, Maui Taylor, Sheree, Gwen Garci, Jaycee Parker, and Ella V were also present during the interview.

Parker also believes that their upcoming reunion is a blessing for all of them. “This is a reunion of friendship. It’s a reunion of our love with each other. That’s how I see it,” she said.

“Itong group na ito, it’s not just really showbiz lang talaga, it’s beyond that. Kahit dati pa. I just realized na after nitong concert namin mas magiging stronger ang friendship namin kasi dito namin nakita na kahit pala hindi kami magkasama we still have each other as  in. So itong reunion na ito, binuo lang talaga kami,” Sheree said.

For her part, Taylor stressed she will go through heaven and hell for her groupmates.

“May nang-aaway kasi sa amin, sabi ko ‘not my group, not my girls’ because these women are my family, we are more than family actually. Kaya sabi ko not them, lalaban ako para sa kanila, so I got you girls,” she said.

Meanwhile, Garci expressed her love for her group: “Ang masasabi ko lang love na love ko sila lahat. Sana huwag silang magbago. I mean sa atin kung may problema man ang isa, dapat makinig tayong lahat. Kasi hindi natin alam depression is real at kung papabayaan natin ang isa ay hindi natn pwedeng ang maari niyang gawin.So makinig lang tayo and support each other with love.”

Santos added that she’s always available for her friends.

“Gusto ko lang malaman niyo na I think this reunion show, siguro binuo ito ni God, hindi dahil sa concert but to prove and make our group stronger and better. Mahal ko pala talaga sila kahit dati pa. Dati kasi gusto ko na umalis, aalis, tapos hindi. Pero ngayon sabi ko hindi, hindi ako aalis ng Viva Hot Babes because nakatatak na ‘yung grupo namin sa akin,” Santos said.

Ella V said their upcoming concert will only show the beautiful friendship of the Viva Hot Babes.

“Ngayon mas naa-appreciate ko what is friendship. Nothing to prove but to hold each other’s hands and make sure that we always have each other’s back,” Ella said.

Known for hits like “Bulaklak,” the Viva Hot Babes are getting back together for a reunion concert on Friday, October 23, at the New Frontier Theater in Cubao, Quezon City.