(From left) Aljur Abrenica, Kylie Padilla, Apo Whang-Od. Images: FILE PHOTOS
The month of April has kicked off on a showbiz high with news of Aljur Abrenica finally admitting to his infidelity that may have contributed to the breakup of his marriage with actress Kyle Padilla, while Hollywood personalities like Halle Berry, Gigi Hadid, and Naomi Campbell praised Vogue Philippines‘ cover of Buscalan-based “mambabatok” Apo Whang-Od.
Other news that caught the attention of readers were the death of former actress Angela Perez at the age of 55, Bimby Aquino giving a positive update on the health condition of his mother, Kris Aquino, and Vice Ganda being grateful over birthday greetings from the hosts of rival noontime show “Eat Bulaga.”
Here are the entertainment news that took over INQUIRER.net’s headlines from the week of March 31 to April 6.
Two years after ‘Tell them who cheated first’
Kylie Padilla and Aljur Abrenica. Image: Instagram/@ajabrenica
Aljur Abrenica finally admitted that he cheated on his estranged wife, actress Kylie Padilla, almost two years after the controversial, now-deleted “Tell them who cheated first” post on his official Facebook page in October 2021.
Abrenica made the revelation during an interview with Toni Gonzaga, which was uploaded on her YouTube channel on April 2, where the former was asked about cheating on the “Encantadia” star.
“Alam mo ba ang iniisip ng mga tao ‘yung reason why your marriage fell apart is because you cheated? Anong reaksyon mo pag ‘yun ang iniisip ng tao? The reason why your marriage fell apart is because ikaw ang may kasalanan. You cheated,” Gonzaga asked, to which Abrenica conceded: “Yeah, totoo naman, totoo naman ‘yun. On my part, oo. Ina-admit ko ‘yun, may pagkakamali ako.
During the interview, the “Sandugo” star then admitted that his “biggest mistake” as a partner was in failing to spend time with Padilla and their two children, Alas Joaquin and Axl Romeo. He also noted that the former partners tried to save their marriage, but to no avail.
“Hindi ako nagkaroon ng time sa kanila, noong nagkaroon ako ng takot to provide. Nawalan ako ng oras, so nawala ‘yung komunikasyon [namin ni Kylie],” he said, noting that he and the actress did everything to save their marriage but it just wasn’t meant to be.
READ: Aljur Abrenica finally admits cheating on estranged wife Kylie Padilla
‘This is real beauty’
(From left) Apo Whang-Od as Vogue Philippines’ cover girl, Gigi Hadid, Halle Berry, Naomi Campbell
Hollywood actress Halle Berry and supermodels Gigi Hadid and Naomi Campbell were in awe of 106-year-old tattoo artist Apo Whang-Od who graced the April 2023 cover of fashion magazine “Vogue Philippines.”
Berry expressed her admiration of Whang-Od as the local fashion magazine’s cover girl on Instagram last April 2, saying “Now THIS is real beauty.” Meanwhile, veteran model Campbell is one of the many celebrities who were elated with the feature, as seen in the comments of the actress’ post.
Hadid appeared to be a fan of the feature as she reshared the magazine’s cover story on her Instagram Stories.
Whang-Od was featured as the highlight of the local magazine’s cover story which revolves around the Philippines’ ancient tattoo heritage, where the “mambabatok” started her career as a tattoo artist at the age of 16 under the mentorship of her father.
The feature also featured the tattooist’s grandniece and protégé Grace Palicas, who was said to be one of the tattoo artists who will continue her legacy.
The famous “mambabatok” from Kalinga province, who was dubbed as the “oldest person ever” to be featured in the cover of Vogue’s overall titles, also earned the praise of local celebrities Anne Curtis, Pia Wurtzbach, and Iza Calzado, among others.
READ: Halle Berry, Naomi Campbell, Gigi Hadid sing praises for Apo Whang-Od’s ‘Vogue PH’ cover
Angela Perez, 55
Angela Perez. Image: Facebook/Catherine Roma, Angela Perez
Former actress Angela Perez, who starred in several films in the 1980s including the hit film “Laruan,” passed away on March 29, after suffering from a stroke at the age of 55.
Perez’s death was confirmed by her daughter Issa Lim, who paid tribute to the late former actress through a series of posts on her Facebook page. Lim then revealed stroke as Perez’s cause of death, through a statement to Philippine Entertainment Portal.
“Wala na si mommy ko. Hindi pa naman ako sanay na hindi kita katabi o kayakap, at mahal na mahal kita sobra, Ma,” Lim said.
Perez was also remembered by her sister, former actress Cathy Mora, who also expressed her love and gratitude toward the former through her Facebook page.
“I am so heartbroken. You left too soon,” she said. “You know how much I love you. I am at a loss for words,” Mora said.
READ: Former actress Angela Perez dies of stroke; 55
‘I’ll do everything I can to take care of her’
Kris Aquino with her sons Josh and Bimby. Image: Instagram/@krisaquino
Bimby Aquino assured fans of his mom, Kris Aquino, that she is currently in a stable condition, noting that she has been gaining weight and is now at 103 pounds. She is currently in California, U.S. for treatments for her autoimmune diseases.
Bimby gave an update of Aquino’s health condition during his meeting with comedian-talent manager Ogie Diaz in California, as seen on the latter’s vlog on April 4. Diaz, who earlier flew to the U.S., said that Kris was the one he was supposed to meet but that she felt tired after the several medical tests she underwent prior to their scheduled meeting.
During their conversation, Bimby spoke about Kris’ condition as well as his choice to stay with his mom in the US.
“Siya ‘yung priority ko e… ‘Yun ang choice ko talaga. Wherever mom is, I’ll be there,” Bimby said.”OK naman [siya], you know—stable. That’s the good word for it—stable lang, pero of course still beautiful. Forever beautiful.”
“She is now mga 103 [pounds]… For me, kahit 80 pounds si mama, even if she was 80 pounds, she will still be the most beautiful mama ever para sa akin,” he added.
Even if Kris has two nurses to take care of her, Bimby is very “hands-on” in his mom’s medical journey as he said he sleeps beside her every night and basically serves as the “night duty.”
He then expressed gratitude to the public for continuously in their prayers. “Maraming salamat po. Thank you talaga for praying for mama’s good health,” he said. “I promise, as her son, to do everything I can to take care of her and to make her better.”
Aquino’s son also promised that he would stand by his mother’s side and she would be the “love of [his] universe,” and that having a girlfriend is not his priority at this time.
READ: Bimby Aquino says mom Kris in stable condition, vows: I’ll do everything I can to take care of her
Vice Ganda’s friendship with Eat Bulaga’s hosts
Vice Ganda and Joey de Leon. Image: screengrab from YouTube/ABS-CBN Entertainment, Eat Bulaga
Vice Ganda could not seem to contain his delight after he received birthday greetings from “Eat Bulaga” hosts Joey de Leon, Maja Salvador, Paolo Ballesteros and Jose Manalo during its opening spiels last March 31.
The show’s hosts, including Ryan Agoncillo and Wally Bayola, greeted Vice Ganda on the “last day [of March],” as they appeared to be on good terms despite going head-to-head on the noontime rankings.
“Last day na ng March. Birthday ng nanay ko ngayon. Birthday din ni Vice Ganda ata,” De Leon said, to which his co-hosts followed with greetings. “Happy birthday!” he continued, looking at the camera.
“Yan bang si Vice tatakbo ng mayor sa susunod na ano? Ay hindi, hindi (Will [Vice Ganda] run for mayor in the next elections? Oh, I think not),” Manalo then joked. “Hi, Vice! Happy birthday!”
Vice Ganda, who turned 47, later expressed his gratitude on-air as well, during the “It’s Showtime” segment “Isip Bata,” noting how the “world is chilling.” “I’m so happy! Binati nila ko ng happy birthday sa ‘Eat Bulaga’!” he told fellow hosts Vhong Navarro, Karylle and Ogie Alcasid.
“Thank you very much! Kay Tito Joey, Sir Joey de Leon, maraming maraming salamat (thank you so much),” the show’s mainstay added. “Binati nila ako do’n. Ang saya.”
The comedian also sent his well-wishes for “Eat Bulaga,” saying how he felt thrilled that his name was mentioned in the show. “Mabuhay kayo ‘Eat Bulaga’! More years to come. I love you Dabarkads. I love you ‘Eat Bulaga,’” he stated. EDV
READ: Vice Ganda ecstatic over birthday greetings from ‘Eat Bulaga’ hosts