Actor Jay Manalo was happy that his half-brother, Police Officer, and Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) player Julius Manalo finally met his mother after 31 years.
The reunion between Julius and his mother, Oh Geum Nim, went viral on social media, and many people thought that the video published by Korean media TV Chosun was only part of a K-Drama show.
However, it was clarified that the reunion was real.
Many netizens were surprised that Julius was Jay’s half-brother.
“I am very happy na nagkita na rin sila ng nanay niya,” said Jay.
They were both sons of Eustaquio Manalo Jr.
Jay’s mother was Vietnamese national Kim Lan Jones.
It can be recalled that Julius and his father left South Korea in 1993.
“Mamasyal lang daw kami [sa America]. After two weeks, magba-bakasyon lang daw ako,” said Julius.
“Sinabi kasi ng tatay ko na isa raw sa dahilan kung bakit ako binigay sa kaniya is ang nanay ko raw is maga-asawa. At ayaw sa akin ng magiging asawa niya,” he added.
According to Julius, he was forced to live without his parents because his father was required to work abroad again.
He decided to sell food, scavenge for scrap metals and rags to earn extra money.