Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano. INQUIRER PHOTO/MARINEL CRUZ
“Let’s stop the bashing,” pleaded the controversial Enrique Gil, referring to the negative comments that fellow ABS-CBN contract artists Jake Cuenca and Paulo Avelino have been getting from netizens. The three actors had figured in a recent incident while on a flight to London.
“Enough already. You don’t know what really happened,” Enrique said in an interview on the red carpet of the Rizal Ballroom at the Makati Shangri-la Hotel during the 9th Star Magic Ball on Saturday. “There were many erroneous write-ups that only aggravated the situation. It’s done, it’s finished.”
A gossip blog reported that Jake and Paulo had egged Enrique to drink liquor on the plane, as a result of which the young actor reportedly got drunk and rowdy, and then tried to hit on actress Jessy Mendiola. TV host Luis Manzano reportedly came to Jessy’s rescue and tried to pacify the rowdy Enrique but failed.
Another online report said Enrique’s screen partner Liza Soberano also tried to intervene but ended up getting cursed at by the young actor. Liza allegedly slapped Gil in return.
On Friday night, Enrique apologized to Jessy, as well as to her boyfriend JM de Guzman, on “TV Patrol.” He explained that the public apology was his way of “owning up to my actions. I feel good now that it’s finished. I also thank Liza who is so supportive.”
Meanwhile, Jake said he admired the supporters of Enrique and Liza (collectively known as LizQuen), “who would do anything to protect their idols.” He added that “the bashing may be annoying and irritating, but I appreciated their passion.”
Paulo said the number of his online bashers grew as a result of the incident: “Yes, I’ve read some of the comments. I understand why they reacted that way. They simply want to protect Enrique. The guy has already apologized. I hope it ends there.”
He added: “We’re all friends. For Enrique, always think that life is a learning process. Just try to learn as much as you can from it and then move forward. It’s hard to be a celebrity. There will always be stuff written about you that aren’t true but people believe them anyway. It’s part of the job.”
(E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph.)