Image: Instagram/@iamxanderford
After Xander Ford, formerly Marlou Arizala, called himself a victim of Ogie Diaz’s disparaging remarks, the latter wrote an open letter on Facebook to clarify his statements.
On Oct. 6, the talent manager called out Ford’s behavior that has been observed by industry insiders.
Diaz shared that Ford had supposedly demanded guards to let him into ABS-CBN. “‘Guard, guard! Papasukin mo ‘ko. Ako si Xander Ford (Let me in. I’m Xander Ford)!” he quoted an observer’s comment.
Image: Screen grab via Facebook/@ogie.diaz.5
In the comments section, other insiders also shared their experiences with the performer’s attitude before and after his plastic surgery.
Actor Jeffrey Tam revealed that Arizala was removed from the TV show “Dolce Amore” because of an “attitude problem.”
Image: Screen grab via Facebook/@ogie.diaz.5
Allan Nazareno, who works in the network, shared that Ford had allegedly yelled at a marshall of “Gandang Gabi Vice” and threatened not to attend the shoot if his manager was not allowed inside.
He was also supposedly seen covering his face with a jacket in a hallway when he saw a crowd in a studio.
Image: Screen grab via Facebook/@ogie.diaz.5
Image: Screen grab via Facebook/@ogie.diaz.5
In a now-deleted rambling Facebook post, Ford has stated that the allegations “weren’t true” and that the statements had hurt him to the point of tears.
“Gusto ko po malaman n’yo na hindi naman totoo yung ipapapakalat n’yo…na masama daw ugali ko kesyo lumaki daw po ulo ko (I want you to know that the rumors you are spreading about my bad attitude and that I’ve grown arrogant aren’t true),” he wrote.
“Nakakaiyak kasi kayo po yung matanda na dapat na nakakaunawa sa akin pero kayo pa po ang naghihila sa akin pababa…puro taping puro trabaho po ako, wala po ako tinanggihan kahit sino po sa inyo (It makes me cry because you’re the older ones who should be more understanding of me, but you are the one dragging me down. I’ve only been doing tapings and work; I haven’t turned down any of you),” he added.
‘Stop playing victim’
In response, Diaz clarified, “Hindi kita hinuhusgahan. Pinapayuhan kita (I’m not judging you. I’m giving you advice)… Ang sinasabi ko, anak, kung nabago ang itsura mo, sana pati pag-uugali mo.”
He also stated that he was simply sharing others’ observations. “Kung sinasabi mong hindi totoo ang lahat ng akusasyon sa yo ng pagyayabang at pagmamaldita mo… depende naman yan kung sino sa ating dalawa o sa mga nakasaksi ang paniniwalaan ng mga tao (If you say that the accusations aren’t true about your arrogance or brattiness, it’s up to people to believe either of us or witnesses).”
“‘Wag kang mag-play api-apihan, anak. Nangyayari lang ang panlalait sa ‘yo ng ibang tao kasi ikaw ang gumagawa ng dahilan para laitin ka nila (Don’t play victim. The insults come from other people because you make reasons for them to insult you),” he continued.
He also advised humility and offered his help to Ford. “If you always practice humility, mapapansin mo na lang din ang pagiging positive ng tingin sa yo ng mga tao (you’ll notice that people will look at you positively).
“At kung gusto mo pa ng payo para magtuloy-tuloy ang career mo, nandito lang ako, pwede mo akong tanungin (If you want more advice on how to continue your career, I’m just here, you can ask me).”
Ford has yet to respond to Diaz’s statement, but has posted a selfie on Instagram this morning.
Special Skill ko – Kaya kung maging masaya sa pang lalait nyo kahit alam kung ang sakit sakit na. 😍😭
A post shared by Xander Ford (@iamxanderford) on
The caption reads, “Special Skill ko – Kaya kung (sic) maging masaya sa panglalait nyo kahit alam kung ang sakit-sakit na (My special skill is being happy at your insults even if they hurt so much).” JB
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