SexBomb Girl Jopay Paguia reacts to alleged rift with leader Rochelle Pangilinan

SexBomb Girls member Jopay Paguia has responsed to the alleged rift between her and group leader Rochelle Pangilinan during a recent episode of entertainment talk show “Kalurks.” 

Viva Hot Babes members Maui Taylor, Katya Santos, and Andrea Del Rosario were the guests in the talk show when Jopay, 43, sent a message to DJ Jhai Ho, who read her statement.

“No comment na lang ako diyan. Hayaan na lang natin si [Rochelle] na magsalita nang magsalita. Basta kung saan siya magiging masaya, support namin siya,” Jopay said.

Sunshine Garcia, another SexBomb member, also opted not to discuss the matter further. Her response was simply to “deadmahin na lang.”

Jopay’s brief response came after Rochelle recently discussed the group’s internal dynamics during her appearance on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda.” She was joined by Aira Bermudez and a few other SexBomb members during the guesting.

Rochelle, 44, did not go into specific details about any disagreement, but acknowledged that misunderstandings can happen among group members.

“But nakadepende pa rin iyan kung paano magiging maayos,” Rochelle said. “Case-to-case basis. Kung gusto maging maayos ng isa, magiging maayos talaga eh.”

Rochelle also explained that getting the entire group together has become more difficult over the years, as the members now have their own families and individual careers.

Meanwhile, Aira came to Rochelle’s defense in a Facebook post. She shared a post from the group’s recent “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” appearance, where the members were asked to describe Rochelle’s leadership style.

“May mga taong ginagawang bossy ang pagiging matatag, at tinatawag na control freak ang pagiging deretso magsalita. But what they don’t see is the heart behind it all. Rochelle is the kind of leader who will always put the group’s growth above her own career,” Aira wrote.

Aira acknowledged that Rochelle can be strict, but said it comes from her desire to maintain a certain standard within the group.

“She just wants to share the blessings, wisdom, and success na pinaghirapan nya. People love to embrace the wins without seeing the silent sacrifices she makes to get us there and that’s okay,” she added.

“I know her heart, I see her hard work, at buong-buo ang respeto ko sa kanya. A true leader who carries us all with pure love.”

Speculation about tension within the SexBomb Girls surfaced after Jopay and Sunshine did not appear in the group’s “Mama Mama” music video.

Even with the ongoing speculation surrounding the group, the SexBomb Girls enjoyed their return to the stage. Their “Get, Get Aw!” reunion concert at the Araneta Coliseum in December 2025 drew strong demand, leading to additional performances. Their comeback also expanded beyond the Philippines, with the group making appearances overseas, including stops in Australia and the United States.

Rochelle previously hinted that the SexBomb Girls are open to working on more music and other creative projects following their reunion concerts. They have since released “Mama Mama” and a coffee table book documenting their comeback, with a documentary series also in the works.

Formed in 1999 by choreographer Joy Cancio, the SexBomb Girls first rose to fame as featured dancers on the TV noontime show “Eat Bulaga!” They later made a name for themselves in music and acting with their signature songs and energetic performances.

The group is known for popular hits such as ‘The Spageti Song,’ 'Bakit Papa?,' and ‘Halukay Ube.”