Neri Naig: I’m not OK but I’m getting there

HER RELATIONSHIP with Chito Miranda started online.

WHEN their intimate video went viral early this month, nothing was heard from rock singer Chito Miranda’s girlfriend, Neri Naig. We tried to reach Naig two weeks ago but her manager, Manny Valera, said he couldn’t get hold of her.

She broke her silence on Sunday and admitted, in a statement sent to the Inquirer, that she had been hiding: “I locked myself in my room for two weeks.” (And who could blame her?)

A few days prior, Naig recounted, Miranda had persuaded her to check out online reports and messages. She did, and what she saw made her grateful. “Loving and supportive [articles, reports and messages]… I am not yet okay but I am getting there,” she said.

Valera told the Inquirer: “I hope she recovers [quickly]. It will not be easy but [she can] with the support of her family, friends and coworkers. Our [talent management] company believes in Neri as an actress. She’s dedicated, committed and serious about her craft. She will continue to pursue acting, which is her passion.”

Curiously enough, Naig and Miranda’s relationship started online. In an interview with the Inquirer last year, Naig recalled that she met Miranda on Twitter. “We started exchanging messages. Then we decided to meet. We have a common friend: Angel Locsin.”

Horrible boss

Abusive Celebrity is notorious for showering underlings with cuss words for the minutest mistakes. Instead of becoming kind and generous as a result of her success, AC has been maltreating subordinates. A mole relates that AC has become physically abusive, throwing staplers, folders and cell phones at shocked staffers.

TOM RODRIGUEZ says he’s willing to accept another gay role. Photo by Richard Reyes

One employee refused to take it sitting down. While motoring down a dark, deserted highway, AC started cursing and hitting the back of her poor driver’s head. Exasperated, the man pulled over, stepped out of the vehicle and… quit! AC, who doesn’t know how to drive, was stranded on the desolate thoroughfare.

Just desserts ang tawag d’yan.

Iron-free

Showbiz Insider raved about Popular Project in public. Did SI know that PP was based on real life?

Specifically, PP was inspired by SI’s antics and power-tripping. (Is that Alanis Morissette singing “Ironic” in the background?)

A spy suspects that SI praised PP only to please the powers-that-be. Oh, that wheeling-dealing touch!

Karma chameleon

Heard on the Radio Inquirer program “Kliq Showbiz” (dzIQ 990 AM, Monday to Friday, 3 to 5 p.m.):

Hard-rocking Performer is being hit by all sorts of bad luck. Colleagues feel it’s a case of karmic retribution. They say HP has become swell-headed and overbearing, often arriving late for shows and recordings, thus making peers wait for hours.

ANDI Eigenmann doesn’t hide her jealousy.

HP’s latest debacle, which could tear his family apart, looks much too severe a punishment for his purported arrogance.

Family over love

From the Inquirer tabloid Bandera:

Glamorous Star thought she found the perfect match in Cute Hunk. But GS incurred the ire of CH’s entire clan.

CH’s parents blamed GS for introducing the guy’s Sweet Sibling to Married Admirer. GS reasoned out that she tried to convince SS to break up with MA, to no avail.

When push came to shove, CH couldn’t defend GS and chose family over love.

Top of the Talk Shows

For those who missed last weekend’s TV gabfests (and why we are moved, if we are moved):

Sunshine Cruz on estranged husband Cesar Montano accusing her of seeing other men: “Kayo naman ang makakapagpatunay kung anong klase akong babae at kung sino lang ang minahal ko sa buhay ko.” (Uh, us?)

Sunshine, asked if a reconciliation with Cesar was still possible: “If something no longer makes you happy… why go on?” (Sometimes it’s not that simple, but it’s your call.)

Claudine Barretto on her mom Inday accompanying her to a recent court hearing: “I want to spare my mom, pero medyo matigas ang ulo. Nagpapasalamat ako andito siya.” (Eh si Raymart kasi, lahat ng brothers niya.)

Raymart on Claudine: “Malungkot dahil minsan nagkasama kami. Pero ganu’n talaga, eh.” (Not always, but yes, it happens a little too often.)

Sid Lucero on watching girlfriend Bea Lao deliver their daughter Halo: “Nung lumabas [’yung baby] iyak ako nang iyak… I have newfound respect for all women.” (Good for you.)

Tom Rodriguez, asked if he would accept another gay role after Vincent in “My Husband’s Lover”: “Basta maganda ’yung role at script, kahit may kissing scene or love scene—sige!” (Let us think this over.)

Bamboo on former Rivermaya band mate Rico Blanco: “We just don’t work together now but we’ve always been good.” (Equally good?)

Gerald Anderson on online bashers: “Hindi porke’t artista kami, eh parang wala lang sa ’min… May feelings din kami.” (Sniff.)

Andi Eigenmann, asked if she gets jealous when Jake Ejercito is linked to other women: “Never ko naman pong itinago na special siya sa ’kin. At ’di ko rin ikinakahiyang nagseselos ako kasi ’di naman po nakakapagtaka kung bakit.” (Ayan, maliwanag ha?)

Shaina Magdayao, asked to describe “On the Job” costar Piolo Pascual: “Close to perfection, tama?” (Leading, your honor!)

Ruffa Gutierrez, asked if she planned to enter politics: “With everything that’s happening now, no way! First lady na lang, puwede?” (Puwede.)

Ruffa on what a potential boyfriend should be like: “[He’s] got to be pretty amazing kasi I’m very happy with my life now. I’m not answerable to anyone; for him to… tame me, kailangan bongga siya.” (Uh, let us reconsider that.)

(Startalk, The Buzz)