(From left) “Pinoy Henyo” contestants Lyka Alburo and Ryan Oraño, Sharon Cuneta, AJ Raval, Liza Soberano. File photos.
We’re ending the love month of February and kicking off March with another explosive batch of entertainment news. The brouhaha over supposed “cheaters” in Eat Bulaga’s “Pinoy Henyo” segment is still riding high in the past week, while Sharon Cuneta struggles with her relationship with firstborn KC Concepcion. AJ Raval, meanwhile, finds an unexpected ally, and Liza Soberano addresses her supposed “ungratefulness.”
Here are some of the biggest entertainment news that dominated INQUIRER.net’s headlines from the week of February 24 to March. 2.
Cheats, or desperate to win?
“Pinoy Henyo” contestants Lyka Alburo and Ryan Oraño. Images: Screengrabs from Facebook/Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho
Ryan Oraño and Lyka Alburo, the contestants in Eat Bulaga’s “Pinoy Henyo” segment who went viral for alleged “cheating,” apologized in the Feb. 26 episode of the show “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” saying they were overwhelmed with nerves since they were live on television.
The “cheating” incident was seen during Pinoy Henyo’s Valentine’s Day special, where Alburo was caught on camera mouthing the word “stomach” to clue in Oraño as to the correct answer in the puzzle. Videos of the couple’s incident soon went viral on social media, drawing flak from netizens.
Oraño also took the time to address the time where he seemingly mouthed the word “Abra” to Lyka during the jackpot round, saying it was also “unintentional.”
The pair also apologized to the cast and crew of “Eat Bulaga,” noting that they’re willing to give up their prize money should they be requested to do so.
Prior to the couple’s KMJS appearance, veteran host Joey de Leon reminded the public on the show’s Feb. 17 episode that cheating takes away the “fun” in any game. He, however, did not mention any incident in particular.
READ: Eat Bulaga’s ‘Pinoy Henyo’ contestants say sorry for ‘cheating’: ‘Nadala lang po ng emosyon’
A mother’s biggest pain
KC Concepcion, Sharon Cuneta. Image: Instagram/@itskcconcepcion
Sharon Cuneta admitted that she knows “very little” about KC Concepcion’s life, which she considered as her “biggest pain” since her eldest daughter does not open up to her.
The Megastar was emotional as she spoke about her mother-and-daughter relationship with KC in an interview with Ogie Diaz, saying even if they’re both “stubborn and strong willed,” being polar opposites often cause misunderstandings between them. She also spoke up about being accused of not wanting the same fame she has for her daughter — which hurts her the most
Although the veteran actress-singer is somehow used to KC being away from her, she would always long for their once tight relationship with her panganay. She also noted that her daughter is a kind person who deserves to be happy.
“That’s my biggest pain—anuman ang success mo sa buhay pero may isa kang pinakamamahal na ba’t ba hindi maayos-ayos na permanently, parang hindi ka kumpleto. Hindi ka pa rin successful,” she said. (That’s my biggest pain—whatever success you have in life, when you can’t fix your relationship with one of your loved ones, you won’t be complete. You’re still not successful.)
KC, who was born in April 1985, is Cuneta’s daughter with veteran actor Gabby Concepcion.
READ: Sharon Cuneta reveals relationship with KC her ‘biggest pain’: ‘Di ko alam bakit nagkaganon’
‘Hindi ako nanira ng family nila’
(From left) Kylie Padilla, AJ Raval. Images: Instagram/@kylienicolepadilla, Instagram/@ajravsss
AJ Raval stressed that her boyfriend, actor Aljur Abrenica, was already separated from his estranged wife, actress Kylie Padilla, when they started dating after she was accused of being a “kabit” or mistress.
“Bakit hindi niyo na lang i-research or hanapin kung sino ba talaga nanira? Bakit ako ang sumasalo ng kasalanan na hindi ko naman ginawa?” she added. (Why don’t you do your research or find the one who broke their family? Why am I being blamed for a mistake I did not commit?)
The sexy star also noted that things became official with Abrenica in July 2022, as she pointed out through a screenshot where Padilla admitted that the third party accusations are “stressful” to both parties.
Days after Raval’s statement, Padilla also urged netizens to stop the “mistress” accusations towards her estranged husband’s new partner, saying that it is unfair for the “former.”
READ: AJ Raval to those blaming her for Aljur-Kylie split: ‘Hindi ako ang nanira ng family nila’
Liza Soberano’s ‘ingratitude’
Liza Soberano. Image: Instagram/@lizasoberano
Liza Soberano appeared to be pushing forward with her rebranding, which includes being the chief advocacy officer of an e-commerce brand, starting with a change in her name — Hope. However, she clarified that she will still be carrying her screen name “Liza” when it comes to business matters.
This comes after the controversial actress’ “life update” vlog on on Sunday, Feb. 26, where she noted that while she was grateful for the experience, she felt that she was giving into the “pressure of doing what everybody else wants,” working “side-by-side with one main co-star, same production company, rotating around the same three directors,” and that she was not able to speak her mind about matters pertaining to her career.
Her rebranding, however, was not taken well by some ABS-CBN executives as they took to social media to air their sentiments without naming the actress.
ABS-CBN Music head Roxy Liguigan and Star Cinema executive Mico Del Rosario were perceived to be alluding to Soberano when they posted on Twitter about a certain person’s “ingratitude.”
Soberano’s vlog also gained the attention of her former talent manager Ogie Diaz and TV host Boy Abunda, who spoke up about the matter in a YouTube vlog and an episode of “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” respectively.
READ: Liza Soberano now wants to be called Hope, as some ABS-CBN execs react to ‘gripes’
Ogie vs Liza
Ogie Diaz and Liza Soberano. Image: screengrab from YouTube/Ogie Diaz Showbiz Update
Meanwhile, Soberano’s erstwhile manager, Ogie Diaz, clarified certain points regarding his former ward’s career sentiments, but stressed that the actress can always count on him if she ever needs him.
“Kung sinasabi ni Liza na parang kino-kontrol siya ng mga tao sa paligid niya — kung ako man ‘yan at ang Star Magic — gusto kong magpasalamat kay Liza kasi sinunod niya kami, kaya siguro sumikat siya,” he said in a YouTube vlog on Feb. 27. “Anak, lagi kang binibigyan ng chance to say your piece, your opinion, your suggestion, pinapakinggan ka din naman ‘pag may complaints ka, pero ‘di ba kung minsan we had to meet halfway?”
(If Liza says that she felt as if people around her — even if [she was pertaining] to me and Star Magic — controlled her, I want to thank her for conforming to us, which was maybe the reason why she became famous. My child, you had always been given the chance to say your piece, opinions, suggestions, and they listened to you when you had complaints, but oftentimes we had to meet halfway, right?)
Diaz then stressed that the screen name “Liza Soberano” was given by Star Cinema’s Malou Santos, which helped the “Forevermore” star provide for her family. The talent manager nonetheless expressed his gratitude to the actress for being dedicated to her career as an actress. EDV