.png){kind=logo}
1 week ago
39
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
January 6, 2026 | 11:16am
Trigger warning
MANILA, Philippines — Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez opened up about a dark chapter in her life where she claimed to have been "abducted" in order to be forcibly admitted into a mental hospital and later a rehabilitation center.
The former beauty queen appeared on the January 5 episode of "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda" having approached the host last month for the opportunity to share unknown parts of her life.
Toward the end of the episode, Boy asked about the period in Melanie's life where she appeared to be away from the public eye, to which Melanie explained she was "abducted" and "kidnapped against her will".
"I was judged, nobody talked to me [and] I couldn't talk to anyone, my phone got hacked," Melanie shared, adding the "abduction" took place on her birthday after she filed a case against her husband at the time, Randy "Adam" Lawyer, for alleged abuse.
Melanie then found herself in a Pasig City mental hospital because people thought she had lost her mind; this despite the fact she was looking after two sons, who were on the spectrum, and ongoing construction on land she had bought.
"I was only invited to celebrate my birthday. I never thought that this celebration would be my trauma. But I let them be," she continued without mentioning any names. "I was crying because it was clear enough [a] betrayal of trust."
At the time, Melanie said she had no idea she was being admitted into a mental hospital, even being restrained as it was the mandatory protocol.
What hurt the beauty queen-actress the most was being separated from her two autistic sons all because people had misunderstood something she'd said.
"Kung mamamatay ako, sabi ko, sana kaming tatlo para at least hindi ko na maisip ang anak na iwanan ko, di ko alam sino magmamahal sa kanila," Melanie shared.
However, Melanie said people had twisted the story to as if she wanted to kill her two sons and then take her own life.
"My goodness! Ang kinakatakutan ko lang ay ang Panginoon," Melanie explained. "Hindi ko papatayin sarili ko, at lalo kong di papatayin ang mga mahal ko sa buhay na sila ang strength ko. My boys, I can feel their love."
Melanie spent 10 days in the mental hospital, where she had her blood and saliva taken as well as underwent a hair follicle test before being unconsciously transferred to a rehabilitation center, which Melanie described as jail without any bars.
The beauty queen questioned her eight-month stay, wherein she couldn't talk to people, only able to write, not knowing who had admitted her in either institution.
Asked by Boy if she ever did drugs, Melanie admitted to partaking in her youth but had already stopped when she married Randy and had her two boys.
"Nagugulat ako kasi tuwing nag-uusap kami [sa rehab], lagi akong sinasabihan na 'Wag ka magalit dito, wag ka magalit sa kanila,'" Melanie shared. "Tinitignan ko sila, hindi naman ako galit. Sama lang ng loob ko, offended lang. Masakit pag minahal mo [at] binetray ka."
Melanie did have sort of a leadership role while in rehabilitation because of her motivation and words of wisdom but she still found herself in a depressive state.
To close the episode, Boy asked Melanie what her prayer was for the new year having shared this story publicly for the first time.
"Ang dasal ko is to be healed. I want to heal completely, I want my children to heal [from] whatever they're going through," Melanie ended. "I want everyone to have peace of mind, to be happy, to have faith because God listens. And I know I'm being saved to be whole again."
Melanie's two sons on the spectrum are Mazen and Adam. She is also mother to four others, including fellow beauty queen Michelle Dee and budding actor Abraham Laywer. — Video from GMA Network's YouTube channel
RELATED: Michelle Dee surprises mom Melanie with replica of stolen Miss International crown
