Zack Tabudlo breaks silence on rumored romance with Moira Dela Torre
Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of suicide.
Zack Tabudlo finally addressed claims that he got involved in the breakup of Moira Dela Torre and Jason Marvin Hernandez.
In a lengthy Facebook post on Wednesday, May 31, the singer noted how he's been quiet for over a year about the unfounded claims, and how these took a toll on his mental health that he attempted to take his own life.
He recalled how he first met the former couple in January 2022 to collaborate on a song titled Iba.
In March, he met with Dela Torre and her team, and they eventually became friends—on top of doing guestings, promos, and other music-related business.
"At this time as well, her team and group of friends would sleep over and make music together in their house, which I later then became a part of," Tabudlo said. "We all made music together, spent a lot of amazing time, and most importantly built such an amazing relationship with the circle."
Amid his newfound friendships, Tabudlo himself was dealing with the pressures of fame even as he recalled getting bullied at school for being a "weird kid making music."
"No one gave a sh*t about me and I was bullied for being this way. But Moira and her group of friends made me believe that I am loved, and I am someone who was worthy of having real people beside me."
When he learned about Dela Torre's split with Hernandez, Tabudlo said she invited him and their friends for dinner, as she was in need of company and support.
"We were all in shock of what happened. We were all then leaning into protecting her and giving all of the love she needed," he said, adding that aside from a group setting, there are also individual interactions with Dela Torre which all aimed to "make her happy."
But Tabudlo's actions toward Dela Torre led to accusations that they have a romantic involvement with each other, which affected Tabudlo greatly.
"I was there for a friend who needed my help and I wanted to give that protection and support that she gave me when I needed it," he said. "But that's not what everyone saw and what everyone knew."
When the pressure was already too much to handle, Tabudlo tried to take his own life and ended up in a coma at the hospital.
"But thank God He gave me another chance," he said.
Ending his post, Tabudlo thanked all those who supported him throughout his career as a musician.
He also gave Dela Torre a shoutout, saying he looks up to her as she's selfless, strong, caring, and so loving to the people around her.
"I adore her with all my heart," he said, adding Dela Torre was one of the people who were there for him while recuperating in the hospital.
Songwriter Lolito Go, the ex-couple's industry colleague, made the rounds online when he claimed in a May 28 Facebook post that Dela Torre "is more of an oppressor than a victim" and accused her of cheating on Hernandez with "someone who will 'dance in the rain' with her and call her 'binibini.'"
Though Go didn't mention anyone, Binibini is among Tabudlo's hits, with lyrics including, "Isayaw mo ako sa gitna ng ulan, mahal ko."
Moira denied the cheating allegations on May 30, while Jason has yet to comment on the matter.
The musicians exchanged wedding vows on Jan. 8, 2019, two years since they became a couple in February 2017. The two met as Music Production students at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde back in 2012. In May 2022, they decided to part ways after Jason confessed he was "unfaithful to her during their marriage."
If you think you, your friend, or your family member is considering self-harm, you may call the National Mental Health Crisis Hotline at 1553 (Luzon-wide, landline toll-free), 0966-351-4518 or 0917-899-USAP (8727) for Globe/TM users, or 0908-639-2672 for Smart users.