Jay Ortega recalls getting bullied as a student in Japan

Jay Ortega opened up about getting bullied as a student back when he still lived in Japan.

The Sparkle star guested on "Lutong Bahay" Tuesday where he shared to Mikee Quintos and Chef Hazel that he lived in Japan for five years and spent high school there.

Mikee asked Jay if he had difficulty making friends there because he came from the Philippines, compelling him to share that he was bullied because he is Filipino.

"Actually nung una naka-experience din ako ng mga bullying. Siguro 'yung na-experience ko lang naman medyo physical. Walang words, parang pagtitripian ka lang bigla, ganun kasi ibang lahi ka eh," he said.

According to Jay, he told his mother about the bullying experience.

"Kinausap namin 'yung school, they did something naman. May action dun, mabilis 'yung action dun sa Japan," he said, adding that while his bullies didn't get kicked out, the bullying stopped afterward.

During the episode, Jay also shared that he worked part-time as a student. He experienced being a worker in an unagi (eel) factory and then as a janitor at a hospital.

"Naglinis ako ng mga lababo, ganun. Part-time, kasi 'yung classes ko before sa Japan starts at 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Pang-gabi 'yung class ko, so simula 9 a.m. hanggang 3 p.m., nagp-part-time  ako."

Jay rose to fame for his portrayal of Japanese Imperial Army captain, Akio Watanabe, in "Pulang Araw."

In December 2024, he signed a contract with Sparkle GMA Artist Center.

— CDC, GMA Integrated News