(From left) Jinkee and Manny Pacquiao, Dina Bonnevie, and Alex Gonzaga. Images: Instagram/@jinkeepacquiao, Instagram/@cathygonzaga. File photo
We have finally entered a new month and of course, and there’s been no shortage of showbiz chika, which includes annulment talks, to confrontations, to passing on a beauty pageant crown, to a mom’s heartwarming trip with her sons.
Here are some of the biggest entertainment news of INQUIRER.net from the week of Jan. 27 to Feb. 2.
Still going strong
Jinkee and Manny Pacquiao. Image: Instagram/@jinkeepacquiao
Rumors of Pambansang Kamao, former Sen. Manny Pacquiao and wife Jinkee’s marriage going to splitsville surfaced out of nowhere, but the stylish matriarch was quick to knock such talk by sharing a series of photos highlighting their special bond as a couple.
Jinkee spoke about her civil status after their family friend, talent manager Annabelle Rama, addressed gossipmongers to stop spreading rumors about the Filipino boxing icon’s marriage through a post on the latter’s Instagram page last Jan. 30.
“Tigilan niyo na ang pag-imbento ng kwento tungkol kay Jinkee na nag-file ng annulment, at kawawa naman dahil buntis. I just want to clarify sa lahat ng nag-text at tawag sa akin kung totoo ang chismis — no, it’s fake news. Unang-una, sa nakikita ko [ay] imposibleng maghiwalay ang mag-asawa dahil [ang] sweet nila and happy family,” Rama said.
The talent manager added that Jinkee and Manny, who have been married for 23 years, are busy with the construction of their three-hectare dream house in General Santos City.
Jinkee responded to Rama’s posts in the comments, saying, “Hayaan mo na sila (Let them be). God bless them!” She also shared photos of herself boxing, as well as a cozy selfie with her husband.
The couple have five children together: Emmanuel, Michael, Mary Divine, Queen Elizabeth, and Israel.
READ: Jinkee dismisses rumors she filed for annulment of marriage with Manny Pacquiao
Passing on the crown
Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel crowns Morgan Romano as Miss USA./RPM PRODUCTIONS FACEBOOK PHOTO
Morgan Romano of North Carolina had officially assumed the Miss USA title last Jan. 27 at a crowning ceremony in Alabama, following R’Bonney Gabriel’s victory as Miss Universe earlier this month.
According to the rules of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), Gabriel has to pass her Miss USA crown to a successor after winning the Miss Universe pageant. Romano was named as first runner-up in the national pageant prior to the Filipino-American beauty queen’s recent victory.
Following her coronation, Romano will only take over the remaining months of the reign as Miss USA and will not compete in the upcoming 72nd edition. She also became the fourth candidate from North Carolina to get the title.
READ: Miss USA runner-up Morgan Romano assumes reign after R’Bonney Gabriel’s Miss Universe win
Dina Bonnevie reignites Alex Gonzaga’s behind-the-scenes drama
(From left) Dina Bonnevie, Alex Gonzaga, Nadine Lustre. Images: Screengrab from Instagram/@dinabonnevie, Instagram/@cathygonzaga, BJ Pascual via Instagram/@nadine
Dina Bonnevie reignited what seemed to be a still healing wound between her and actress-vlogger Alex Gonzaga when she shared a series of revelations about the latter’s supposed unprofessionalism during the filming of their TV5 teleserye “PS: I Love You”.
The veteran actress also confirmed to Boy Abunda on his show’s Jan. 31 episode that she was referring to Gonzaga in a previous interview, where she confronted an actress for being unprofessional and tardy during the taping of their teleserye which aired from November 2011 to February 2012.
“Kasi may eksena siya, dapat iiyak siya. Parang mommy niya n’un, tapos di siya makaiyak. Sabi ko, ‘Alex, do you know why you cannot cry? It’s because you’re not in touch with your emotions. You’re very indifferent to your co-workers. You know what? Honestly, I want to talk to you kasi we don’t like what you’re doing and that you’re always late,’” she said.
“Sabi niya, ‘Eh marami akong mga ganap eh.’ Sabi ko, ‘Wait a minute, I’m trying to talk to you nicely. Sabi niya, ‘Hindi niyo nakikita ang side ko eh.’ Sabi ko, ‘Hindi pa napapanganak ang nambabastos sa akin kaya Alex, please. Kinakausap kita nang maayos, If you want to stay long in this business, you can’t last kung ganyan ang attitude mo na palagi kang late, dito ka pa maliligo sa set, and you know, you cannot even memorize your lines. Di ka pa makaiyak.’ Tapos nagagalit pa siya kay Nadine [Lustre] kung nauuna pang umiyak si Nadine. Eksena niya daw ‘yun,” Bonnevie added.
Bonnevie also said she had to play spokesperson as none of their “PS: I Love You” co-stars had the guts to call out Gonzaga for her behavior. Despite this, she clarified that the controversial actress was “okay” during their last day of taping.
Also included in the cast of the TV5 drama were Gabby Concepcion, Kean Cipriano, AJ Muhlach, Candy Pangilinan, Say Alonzo, Cogie Domingo, Cheska Iñigo, and Melissa Mendez.
READ: Dina Bonnevie reveals Alex Gonzaga got mad at Nadine Lustre on drama set: ‘Eksena niya daw yun’
Kris Aquino’s fulfilled promise
Kris Aquino with her sons Josh and Bimby. Image: Instagram/@krisaquino
Kris Aquino enjoyed quality time with her sons Josh and Bimby in Disneyland in California, U.S., which was a promise made to her eldest son.
Even if the Queen of All Media was bedridden after their trip, she admitted that enjoying rides and posing for photos with her sons was worth the sacrifice on her Instagram account last Jan. 28. She also disclosed that she would be having another check-up to keep track of her condition, as her supporters wished the best for her health.
Aquino is currently in the United States for medical treatments after she was diagnosed with several autoimmune diseases.
READ: Kris Aquino goes to Disneyland with sons Josh, Bimby: ‘Promise fulfilled’
The veteran remains unbothered
Image: Instagram/@dinabonnevie
Dina Bonnevie revealed that she did not take offense to Alex Gonzaga’s “matandang artista” remark in the latter’s narration of their past confrontation to Boy Abunda on his talk show’s Jan. 31 episode.
It can be recalled that Gonzaga spoke about being traumatized by a “matandang artista” who shouted at her for being late during a taping and painted her as the “bad guy” despite explaining the reason for her tardiness at a podcast in December 2022.
The actor was later revealed to be Bonnevie when they were filming their TV5 teleserye “PS: I Love You” back in 2011, after the veteran actress opened up about the controversial actress’ supposed unprofessionalism in the same episode.
“‘Yung mga tao nagsasabi [na], ‘Sagutin mo na, ang bastos. Tinawag kang matanda’ — actually, hindi ako na-offend nung tinawag akong matanda. It’s true, matanda na ako (I’m already old). I’m 61 but I’d like to see people at 61 if they’re still looking fresh. Sorry but I feel fresh and I think I look fresh,” she said.
READ: Dina Bonnevie on Alex Gonzaga’s ‘matandang artista’ remark: ‘Hindi ako na-offend’
A heartbreaking revelation
Pokwang and Lee O’Brian. Image: Instagram/@du1jec via @leeobrian
Pokwang spoke up about her experiences with ex-partner Lee O’Brian, saying that she had provided for him when they were still together, and that he has not given child support to their daughter Malia since she was born, in response to one @mariecarlalumontad who accused the actress of being a nagger on her Instagram post last Jan. 28.
“Nagising lang ako sa katotohanan na anim na taon ko na pala siyang palamunin at limang taon [nang] walang child support. ‘Wag ka na baka madamay ka sa demandahan namin. And [for your information], hindi ako iniwan. Tanungin mo siya kung bakit ko siya pinalayas,” Pokwang said, apparently revealing that she is currently in a legal battle with O’Brian.
The actress-comedienne confirmed her split from O’Brian in July 2022, and has since been co-parenting Malia with him.
READ: Pokwang reveals she kicked Lee O’Brian out of her house: ‘Hindi ako iniwan’
Traumatic travails
Vanjo Merano. Image: screengrab from YouTube/Panlasang Pinoy
Vanjo Merano, the vlogger behind Panlasang Pinoy YouTube channel, revealed that he and his family’s belongings were stolen from their luggage during their flight to Manila from the United States.
Merano shared his traumatic experiences in a video called “Bad trip sa Pilipinas!”, which was uploaded on his YouTube channel last Jan. 22, where he and his family from San Francisco, took a connecting flight to Manila via the Philippine Airlines (PAL), coming from Chicago.
They were about to board for their 15-hour flight to Manila when Merano was informed by a ground crew of several problems with their business class seat, where he hoped that the airline management would improve their services.
Upon arrival in Manila, Merano and his family were shocked when they checked their luggage at home and found that some of their belongings were stolen after waiting in the baggage carousel for over an hour.
Among the stolen items include branded bags, sunglasses, perfumes, and chocolates.
“Hindi kami pwedeng magbintang basta-basta kasi tatlong airport ‘yung pinuntahan namin, hindi ko alam kung saan nawala ‘yon. Hindi ko alam kung paano natin babasahin ‘yung scenario na ‘yon… Hindi lang talaga namin matanggap ‘yung mga nagnanakaw pa rin sa mga bagahe kasi I’m sure hindi lang naman sa amin nangyari ‘yon,” he said.
Despite their luggage problems, Merano and his family still enjoyed their trip to the Philippines and instead chose to focus on the good things that happened in their stay.
READ: Panlasang Pinoy vlogger airs frustration after family’s belongings stolen in flight to PH
No financial support
Paolo Contis. Image: Screengrab from YouTube/GMA Network
Paolo Contis stressed in a Jan. 27 episode of “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” that he has his “own reasons” for not giving financial support to his three children, Xonia, Xalene and Summer Ayana.
Xonia and Xalene are his children with estranged wife, EB Babe member Lian Paz, while Summer Ayana is his daughter with actress LJ Reyes.
Despite the revelation, Contis claimed that he had been saving up for his daughters, which they can use in the future.
“Sa sustento issue, I don’t give. Again, I have my reasons why, but I’m saving for them. I have some savings for them that hopefully, one day, I could give to them straight. It’s a mistake na nasimulan ko na hindi ako nakapagbigay, but ever since na nagtrabaho ako nang maayos, unti-unti akong naglalagay sa account para kay Xonia, kay Xalene, pati kay Summer,” he said.
The actor also noted that it’s been more than six years since he last saw Xonia and Xalene in Cebu, while it’s been two years since his abrupt parting with Summer.
READ: Paolo Contis admits not giving financial support to his children: ‘I have my reasons’
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