Bella Poarch excited to return to the Philippines

Photo from Press ESC/YouTube

“I’m actually going home soon. I’m really excited. I can’t wait for this year to be over so I can go,” shared Bella Poarch during her guest appearance on the Press ESC podcast. 

The Filipino American singer-songwriter and TikTok sensation expressed her long-awaited plans to return to the Philippines, reconnecting with her roots.

Appearing on the podcast hosted by Valkyrae and Alythuh, Poarch opened up about her life before fame, including her childhood in the Philippines and the challenges she faced along the way.

The episode, titled “Being Filipino with Bella Poarch,” gave fans a glimpse into her journey.

Growing up as a farmer, Poarch spent her early years planting over 30 mango trees, which have now grown into towering giants. 

“My brother was sending me photos, and it’s insane to see them fully grown. I loved it. It was a fun experience for me, honestly. I’m actually grateful because I got to learn agriculture,” she shared. 

At just 17 years old, Poarch enlisted in the US Navy to escape an abusive environment, describing it as her only option. “I just didn’t want to be there forever. And so, the military was one way out,” she explained. The demanding schedule of her military service made returning to the Philippines nearly impossible, a reality compounded by unforeseen events like the pandemic.

“I got out of the military, and I booked a flight to [the] Philippines [in] 2020… Covid happened, so it got canceled. My flight got canceled,” she recounted.

Despite these challenges, Poarch remains optimistic about the future. Her plans to visit the Philippines coincide with the release of her debut album and a forthcoming tour.

Fluent in Tagalog, she credits her schooling for keeping her connected to the language despite restrictions from her parents at home.