Actor Jake Cuenca has denied participation in the incident involving an allegedly drunk Enrique Gil who caused a commotion on board a passenger plane to London.
“I was asleep the whole time it happened,” said Jake, the lead actor of “Pasion de Amor” on ABS-CBN. “I was surprised when I read the report saying I was involved in the controversy. I had nothing to do with it.”
A gossip blog reported about the incident on Thursday, naming Jake and fellow ABS-CBN contract artist Paulo Avelino as those who egged Enrique to drink the liquor Johnnie Walker Black Label in the plane. The young actor reportedly got drunk and rowdy, and then tried to hit on actress Jessy Mendiola.
According to the blog, TV host Luis Manzano came to Jessy’s rescue and tried to pacify Enrique but failed.
In another online report, Enrique’s screen partner Liza Soberano, reportedly also tried to intervene but the young actor cursed her. Liza allegedly reacted to the insult by slapping Enrique.
“I can’t be their spokesperson. I can’t answer for them. You have to understand that the people in the report are my friends,” Jake told reporters during the recent press conference promoting “Pasion de Amor” Book 2. “I think you should interview the people involved. Besides, there should be witnesses who would be willing to talk.”
Host IC Mendoza, in his TV5 chismis program “Showbiz Konek,” interviewed an eyewitness who claimed to be on the same flight as the controversial Kapamilya artists. The witness said Enrique continued to be unruly all the way to London airport and that a companion even tried to cover his mouth.
Couple of drinks
While he admitted to having a couple of drinks with Paulo when they landed in London, Jake denied being drunk in the plane. Some 40 Kapamilya artists performed at the “ASAP Live in London” concert on Sept. 6.
“You can even ask the flight attendants if you want,” Jake insisted. “I had breakfast and a few drinks with Paulo when we arrived in London. I slept early and then went to work the following day.”
Meanwhile, at the press conference for Paulo’s latest movie “Resureksyon,” the 27-year-old actor declared that “everything written about the issue was fabricated. It’s not the real story.”
The actor refused to elaborate on the issue, and said it would be better for reporters to hear the whole story from Enrique. “I don’t know why I am being blamed for it. It’s better to just wait for Enrique’s official statement,” Paulo pointed out.
Jake likewise said Enrique should own up to his actions. “Enrique is a great guy. I’ve worked with him on ‘ASAP’ and I can say that he has a pure heart. My advice to him in times like this is to take responsibility for his actions.”
Jake added: “It is normal for young men to go through problems like this. I know because I went through the same thing. I’ve been involved in a lot of controversies when I was younger, but I’m mature now. I’m speaking to you with a clean conscience. I was not part of the incident.”
As for Paulo, he said Enrique should “just live life…He should learn from his mistakes and then move on. Enrique is a good kid.”
Instagram post
On her Instagram account, Jessy captioned a photo with this: “The truth will always come out no matter how you lie about it. You know what you did, so don’t try to squeeze yourself out by fabricating stories. Even trying to ruin other people’s relationship with your twisted mind. Someone heard and saw what you did. What goes around comes around, brother.”
Alfonso “Borgy” Torre’s “Resureksyon opens Sept. 23.