(From left) Maja Salvador, Winwyn Marquez, Alden Richards. FILE PHOTOS
The sudden departure of Maja Salvador from noontime “Eat Bulaga” amid its rumored rebranding is the biggest entertainment news for the third week of April, while Winwyn Marquez and Alden Richards’ “almost” relationship also piqued the attention of readers due to the latter’s “vague” intentions.
On the other hand, Claudine Barretto’s rare moment with her son Santino, John Estrada-Priscilla Meirelles’ ongoing marital drama, and Kris Aquino’s updated health condition were also the top entertainment news this time around.
Keep yourself in the loop with INQUIRER.net’s hottest entertainment stories from April 14 to 20 in case you’re on the lookout for the latest drama.
Dabarkads no more
Maja Salvador, Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon. Images: Facebook/Crown Artist Management, Facebook/Eat Bulaga
Maja Salvador confirmed her departure from the noontime show “Eat Bulaga” due to her upcoming July wedding with fiancé Rambo Nuñez and “uncertainties” involving the show.
Salvador’s departure was announced in an official statement by her talent agency Crown Artist Management on its official Facebook page last April 13.
“Crown Artist Management would like to announce that with Maja Salvador’s upcoming wedding and with all the uncertainties surrounding ‘Eat Bulaga,’ she will be leaving the show for the time being,” the statement read.
The label also noted that while being part of “Eat Bulaga” has been the actress’ “dream,” she decided to “give it a pause” for now. “Becoming a Dabarkads was a dream of Maja that came true one and a half years ago, but for now, we have to give it a pause,” they said.
“This decision was already communicated to their management, so we’re hoping for your utmost understanding. Maja wishes ‘Eat Bulaga,’ its hosts and staff, all the best! Maraming salamat (Thank you very much), Dabarkads,” the agency further explained.
Salvador’s departure comes a month after rebranding rumors hounded EB that led to TAPE producer Tony Tuviera supposedly being “kicked out.” Meanwhile, show mainstays Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon expressed their dismay over the incident.
However, Tito clarified at an April 2023 interview with Korina Sanchez that the show “is here to stay.”
READ: Maja Salvador to leave ‘Eat Bulaga’ due to upcoming wedding, ‘uncertainties’ involving noontime show
Winwyn and Alden’s ‘misunderstanding’
Winwyn Marquez, Alden Richards. Images: Screengrab from YouTube/GMA Network, Instagram/@aldenrichards02
Months after Alden Richards revealed that he almost got into a relationship with Winwyn Marquez, it was the latter’s turn to admit that she was unsure about the actor’s intentions towards her in the past.
Marquez made the confession in an April 12 episode of “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” where she was asked about her past relationship with Richards. The actor revealed in the same show back in January 2023 that he almost dated the Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 titleholder and Julie Anne San Jose.
Marquez also admitted that she was unsure about Richards’ intentions towards her at that time, although she noted that he’s “really kind” to everyone.
“Kasi si Alden, I don’t know if may misunderstanding or anything. He’s really kind, malambing siya, mabait siya. And I feel like he’s like that to everyone. Sobrang bait kasi niya. And we can talk about anything under the sun. So, I just felt like he was a really good friend,” she explained.
(I don’t know if there was any misunderstanding or anything between Alden and I. He’s really kind, lovable, and nice. And I feel like he’s like that to everyone. He’s so kind. And we can talk about anything under the sun. So, I just felt like he was a really good friend.)
During the interview, Abunda then asked the actress to share if there were any moments where Richards expressed his romantic feelings towards her, even through actions such as giving flowers and chocolates, to which she said none.
“Wala naman po kasi tapos na eh. I don’t want to go back and dwell in the past because kahit anong sabihin natin, I’m so proud of him. (I have nothing to say because it’s done. I don’t want to go back and dwell in the past because no matter what others say, I’m so proud of him.)”
Even if things didn’t work out between them, the Kapuso star clarified that she remains “good friends” with Richards until this day.
READ: No flowers, chocolates during Alden Richard’s ‘courtship,’ says Winwyn Marquez
Claudine’s broken promise
Claudine Barretto and her son Santino. Image: Instagram/@claubarretto
For the first time in a long while, Claudine Barretto posted a photo of Santino, her son with estranged husband Raymart Santiago, on social media.
Barretto was one proud mom when she showed a rare photo of Santino on Instagram last April 16, even though he specifically told her not to post them since he was not fond of taking pictures of himself. She was seen leaning on her bespectacled son from behind, while the latter appeared to have a serious expression on his face.
“Wow [starry-eyed emoji] Finally, he agreed to have his picture taken with me. I promised not to post this though,” she said in the caption.
The rare mother-and-son moment caught the attention of netizens, with many pointing out Santino’s strong resemblance to the actress in the comments. Meanwhile, others called out Barretto for supposedly not respecting his personal boundaries. She then appeared to clarify the matter to some netizens, saying that her son eventually agreed to have their photos posted online.
The photo has been deleted from the seasoned actress’ Instagram account, as of this writing.
READ: Claudine Barretto shares rare photos of son Santino: ‘I promised not to post this though’
Marital woes no more?
Priscilla Meirelles and John Estrada. Image: Instagram/@johnestrada__
Despite going through a rough patch in their marriage, Priscilla Meirelles and John Estrada appeared to have enjoyed their recent Cebu trip with their daughter Aneckha and the actor’s kids with ex-wife Janice de Belen, namely Moira, Kaila and Yuan Estrada.
The family of six were all smiles as they posed for photos in what appears to be an establishment with an overlooking view, as seen on Meirelles’ Instagram page last April 12.
“Everything is better when we are together,” she said in the caption.
The celebrity couple was recently spotted at Oslob, Cebu for a family vacation.
Meirelles’ post comes weeks after confirming that she and Estrada are going through marital problems “for many reasons,” although she disclosed in a recent interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer that they “are not fighting” but that “transformation is happening” in their relationship.
READ: Priscilla Meirelles shows family photos from Cebu trip: ‘Everything is better when we’re together’
Kris Aquino’s gratitude
Kris Aquino and her doctors. Image: Instagram.@krisaquino
Kris Aquino made a gratitude post dedicated to her doctors as well as to those praying for her health, revealing that her doctors have finally found treatments suited for her despite the many limitations caused by her allergies.
Aquino said this while showing a video compilation of her consultation with her doctors, through Instagram page last April 15. She also included in the video some photos of herself with nasal swelling, flare-up on her skin, as well as bruising and discoloration due to enlarged blood vessels.
“This is an overdue gratitude post. I know it’s because of your prayers that God helped lead me to an excellent team of doctors: Dr. Sudhir Gupta, his daughter Dr. Malika Gupta, Dr. Yaqoot Khan, and Dr. John Belperio,” she said.
Aquino said that being the “nerd” that she is, she has already memorized the medical results that she should be worried about, hence she knows that her recent results were “alarming.”
“My last numbers were alarming because maraming bumagsak na sana steady lang at yung mga nanahimik (like my ANA titer) nagparamdam ulit. Pinaalala sa ‘kin na yung 4 diagnosed autoimmune ko, pwedeng maging 5 or 6, and my major organs like my heart and lungs can suffer permanent damage,” she disclosed.
“Next week may bagong treatment na isasabay sa biological injectable that I’ve had 2 doses of. Praying kayanin ko,” she added.
Aquino further expressed her gratitude to the people who are extending prayers for her to get better, calling them her “rainbow” which gives her “hope and courage to keep the faith and trust God’s merciful love.”
She also thanked certain “special people” who she said have been with her in her medical journey, but she opted not to name anyone to shield them from “harsh judgment.”
READ: Kris Aquino thankful as doctors found treatments that can help ‘get her health back’
Moonbin of Astro, 25
Astro’s Moonbin. Instagram/Moonbin
Rounding up this list is the death last April 19 of Moonbin of the Korean group Astro at the age of 25. His death was confirmed by his label Fantagio a day later.
The K-pop idol was found dead by his manager in his home in Gangnam district in Seoul, South Korea at around 8:10 p.m. (Korean standard time) after failing to attend rehearsals, according to authorities. Local media reported that suicide was suspected, though police declined comment.
The label then apologized for delivering the “heartbreaking news” to fans who gave their love to Moonbin who is known for “loving and thinking of them more than anyone else.”
“It is even more heartbreaking to deliver this news so suddenly to the fans who have supported Moonbin and sent him their love. We are heartbroken because we know the feelings of the deceased, who always loved and thought of his fans more than anyone else,” the statement read.
Moonbin’s funeral procession and burial place were requested to be kept private by his family, his label added in a follow-up statement.
Born as Moon Bin, he debuted as the main dancer, center, and lead vocalist of Astro in February 2016. He was also part of the boy group’s first sub-unit Moonbin & Sanha in September 2020. He was a child actor before making his debut as a member of Astro, where he appeared in the music video of TVXQ’s “Balloons” in 2006 and as the young So Yi-jeong in the hit K-drama “Boys Over Flowers” in 2009.
Among his final appearances include the Manila leg of the “Diffusion” tour in March 2023 and the MBC Idol Radio Live Show earlier this month. He was set to appear in the 2023 Dream Concert in Seoul and the southern city of Busan next month as part of sub-unit Moonbin & Sanha, his bandmate.
The singer has a younger sister named Moon Sua, who is currently a member of the K-pop girl group Billlie and was a former trainee at YG Entertainment. EDV
READ: Astro member Moonbin dies at 25