Former Glee Star Charice Pempengco: I Knew I am Lesbian Since I was 5 (VIDEOS)

From being secretive about her true gender preference, former Glee star Charice Pempengco has become an open person overnight after her admission on television on Sunday that she is lesbian.

After making herself scarce since her mother, Raquel, hinted that Charice would come out soon, the international singer spent Monday hosting a charity event at the Gulod Elementary School in Cabuyao, Laguna, to coincide with the opening of the schoolyear, through a gift-giving and free haircut session.

She recalled it was in this school where she first knew her real sexual preference.

"I was just five years old when I realised that," Pep.ph quoted the singer of Pyramid.

She considers cutting her long hair as the first step into her journey of freedom. But rather than feel liberated, she felt heavier because of the many negative comments that came out in social networking sites over her drastic haircut and physical make-over.

While she confirmed to the world via live streaming of The Buzz that she is indeed lesbian, Charice said her mentors such as Oprah Winfrey and David Foster knew about her sexual identity. She said the two congratulated her for the brave admission and expressed their support for her.

Charice also disclosed that she had come out to her mother three years ago when she was 18. "It was very difficult (to come out to her). I was so afraid," the 21-year-old singer said.

"Now, I have accepted that it may take years before she fully accepts it," Charice said.

Her fans, both in the Philippines and abroad, appear to be more accepting, based on their tweets.

"Charice Pempengco is truly inspirational for coming out today. We're all for you," tweeted Louis Waters.

Perci Cendana agreed that "After coming out, I'm sure Charice Pempengco will produce beautiful music. No better inspiration than freedom. Being true is a great muse."

Ng Jin Hong wrote, "It really pains me to see Charice Pempengco apologise for coming out? How is she doing anything wrong?"

"I just realized how great Charice Pempengco is What a voice coming out from a small girl," tweeted I Just Realized.

The question now being asked by Filipinos is when would other Filipino celebrities rumoured to be gay or lesbian have the same courage as Charice and also come out. Or would they rather protect their careers?

The phenomenon is happening not only in the Philippines but also abroad. Actor Michael Douglas, a straight actor whose publicist just denied that he got cancer because of his fondness for oral sex with women, said some celebrities would rather remain in the closet.

"Without naming names, I certainly think there are a couple of people out there who have not come out in the spirit of protecting their careers and livelihoods. It's probably a little bit more difficult going that way," said the star of Behind the Candelabra, a movie about openly gay pianist Liberace.