STATEMENT ON RECENT MEDIA REPORTS REGARDING ATENEO BLUE EAGLES CAPTAIN JEM VARGAS

The Office of College Athletics is aware of the media reports circulating regarding AMBT team captain, Jem Vargas.

We wish to make clear that the information published was obtained and disseminated without the knowledge or consent of Jem Vargas, his family, or the Ateneo Blue Eagles organization. The publication of private personal information without verification or consent is a serious matter that we are addressing through the appropriate legal channels.

Jem Vargas has been and continues to be one of the most dedicated and exemplary student-athletes who has represented this program with integrity, professionalism, and commitment throughout his collegiate career. We firmly reject attempts to draw conclusions about his character, leadership, or commitment based on unverified personal information.

We remain committed to supporting the well-being of our student-athletes. We believe that personal health and wellness should be approached with understanding, respect, and appropriate regard for privacy.

We ask the Ateneo community, members of the media, and the public to exercise responsibility in discussing matters that involve unverified claims and private information.

Our focus remains on supporting our student-athletes and continuing to uphold the standards of excellence, compassion, and integrity that define Ateneo basketball.

Thank you for your understanding.

Vargas @jemvargas

I want to address what has been circulating online directly, and I want to do it in my own words.

The information published about me was obtained without my knowledge or consent, and was not sourced from anyone close to me. (1/8)

↳ Vargas @jemvargas

Yvanna Adriano did not write this story. She is a journalist of integrity who has covered this team with honesty and accuracy all season. Every story she has written about me was fair, factual, and based on what I chose to share publicly. The previously released article—the one with her name on it, the one I agreed to and gave answers for—was published with my awareness.

The private information that leaked did not come from her. It was not her doing. I am certain of this. (2/8)

↳ Vargas @jemvargas

I am asking that the attacks on Yvanna Adriano stop immediately. She is not responsible for what was published. She in fact attempted to prevent it and paid a price for doing so. The criticism she is receiving is not only misplaced—it is unjust. She deserves none of what is being said about her. (3/8)

↳ Vargas @jemvargas

I made the same mistake.

In the aftermath of the article, I believed she had betrayed my trust. I let my anger and hurt convince me of something that was not true, and I did not give her the chance to explain.

Yvanna acted with integrity throughout this situation, even when doing so came at considerable personal and professional cost. She deserves an apology I am not sure words alone can adequately give. An apology larger than the harm done to her, though I know no apology can undo it.

Ultimately, she deserves to be left in peace. All the attacks end here.

I am sorry, Yvanna. I will regret this for a long time. (4/8)

↳ Vargas @jemvargas

As for everything else being said about me—yes, I manage my anxiety. Yes, I see a therapist. I am not ashamed of either of those things, even if I wasn't ready to talk about them publicly. I am a person before I am an athlete, and I am allowed to take care of myself and my mental health.

I wish I had been the one to say this on my own terms, but unfortunately, I wasn't given that choice. (5/8)

↳ Vargas @jemvargas

Regarding reports that I considered transferring to De La Salle during my freshman year, there is truth to that.

Like many first-year students, I was trying to figure out who I was and what I wanted my future to look like. I was navigating expectations, uncertainty, and questions that extended far beyond basketball. At the time, I seriously considered every option available to me, including an opportunity to join another excellent program.

I have tremendous respect for De La Salle and the people who extended that offer. My family would have supported whichever path I chose, and so would the people closest to me. (6/8)

↳ Vargas @jemvargas

I stayed because, when I stripped away the noise and the expectations, I knew where I wanted to be.

Ateneo is home.

It took time for me to arrive at such clarity, but I have never questioned that decision since. The relationships I have built here, the teammates and coaches I have shared the court with, and the community that has supported me throughout my career gave that decision its meaning.

This program and team gave me a place to grow, to fail, to learn, and to lead. For that, I will always be grateful.

Whatever uncertainty existed then disappeared a long time ago. (7/8)

↳ Vargas @jemvargas

I chose Ateneo. And if given the chance to do it again, I would make the same choice every time.

I am still here. I am still your captain.

For all the conversation about the road not taken, my last shot in the UAAP was always going to be in blue.

See you on the court. (8/8)

💬 5,321 🔁 44.3K ♡ 55.5K

my stretch marks

8:04 AM

Mom

good job, anak.

Dad

Now, we send a formal demand to that publication.

Then we request preservation of all internal communications relating to the article.

Third, I'm preparing a complaint for the National Privacy Commission.

Chini

ano magagawa nila dad? 🥹

Dad

The NPC can investigate how the information was obtained, processed, and published. If violations occurred, there are consequences.

Jem

Dad, thank you.

Dad

I told you we face whatever happens next as a family.

Jem

Pano yung source?

Dad

We'll get there.

Right now, I'm trying to understand how this happened from beginning to end.

Somebody brought an unverified allegation involving my son's private medical information to an editor, and that editor decided to publish it.

I want answers from all of them.

If they cooperate, that makes everyone's life easier.

Jem

You think they will?

Dad

I think people tend to become much more cooperative when the lawyers start asking questions.

Chini

pano pag hindi daddy

Dad

Then we let the investigation do its job.

Mom

kunin mo yang mga pukinanginang mga yan jess

wag mo sila patatahimikin

Jem

Mom, Dad, I don't want revenge.

Mom

AKO GUSTO KO

Dad

What I want is accountability.

The revenge is the legal consequences for their own actions.

No one gets to violate my children's privacy and publish allegations about them.

If they had evidence, they should have verified it.

If they couldn't verify it, they shouldn't have run it.

Mom

jess gusto ko malaman sino yung hinayupak na nagsasalita tungkol kay jem

Dad

I know, hon, I'm doing the best I can. I want that answer too, and the investigation creates discovery. It creates records and testimony.

If we proceed with a complaint, which we will, people are going to have to explain their decisions.

Who received the information. Who discussed it. Who approved the story. What steps were taken to verify it.

Those answers tend to create a paper trail.

But right now, I'm focused on preserving evidence and establishing the facts.

For now, Jem and Chini, go to school.

Let me do my job.

Jem

Thank you Dad

and Mom

I love you

Mom

we love you mga anak ko

kaya mo ba pumasok jem?

kung hindi pa anak, umuwi ka muna. dito ka muna kay mommy.

Jem

I can do this. Thanks, Mom.

Dad

We love you both. We'll keep you updated.

Chini

love you my family 🥹

nepo babies

8:21 AM

ace

ang bilis ng mga statements ah

ok ka ba tol

Alessandra

Proud of you, Jem @Vargas.

And we're here for you.

ace

oo kailangan muna ikulong si te kovi pag nahanap na sino yung putanginang hayop

kovi

ano address ng the loop

Russ

Walang magsasabi sayo.

Alessandra

They took down their website nga, e.

Fucking cowards.

chini

well theyre being flamed by the whole country ate

Alessandra

True. And every person with a phone suddenly has an opinion.

Though I'm so relieved it wasn't Yvanna. Though connecting the dots to her made sense, pero naka-anonymous author, e.

She would never hide behind anonymity.

teo

sabihin mo yan kay vargas hahahahahah

Russ

He was blacking out from having his secrets exposed. Hindi na niya mapapansin na naka-anon pala.

That being said, whoever DID leak this has to answer for it.

ace

lets go tito vargas

teo

tanong ka na din ng tips pano ka mapapatawad ni yvanna haahahahh

Alessandra

Oh no. Is she mad?

Vargas

More hurt than angry, I think. And completely understandable why.

I was a dick.

teo

nasayo na di mo pa iningatan tsk

ace

ayusin mo yan nak

para sumaya ka letche ka

teo

sino pa may mga sikreto

sabihin nyo na ngayon mga putanginanyo

hoops

8:31 AM

teo

hoy tinatawag kayo ni coach 9am daw sa opisina kasama si matthew

may ganon pala sa team natin

Russ

Bobo. Ikaw yon.

teo

ay

BAT AKO KASALI

Vargas

He said he wants to check in on me and assess where my head's at, about whether I can focus.

If I can play and lead this team given the circumstances right now.

I think he's covering his bases. In case I'm not in the right headspace yet.

teo

HOY ITO NA BA PAGKAKATAON KO MAGING CO-CAPTAIN

gawin nyo kong cocaptain pls pls pls