(From left) Buboy Villar, Jose Manalo, Ricci Rivero, Andrea Brillantes, Paolo Contis. Images: FILE PHOTOS
Jose Manalo revealed that new “Eat Bulaga” host Buboy Villar tearfully apologized to him for hosting the revamped noontime show, while Ricci Rivero confirmed that his ex-girlfriend Andrea Brillantes saw him with a girl at his place — but claimed the mystery woman is just a companion of his friend.
Meanwhile, Paolo Contis reaffirmed his commitment to hosting the Kapuso-based noontime show despite its social media platforms being mass-reported by netizens. Meanwhile, other showbiz news that caught the attention of the readers are James Yap’s renewed relationship with his son Bimby Aquino Yap, and Herlene Budol’s viral question-and-answer gaffe at the Miss Grand Philippines 2023 press presentation.
On the other hand, the biggest showbiz news that ended Pride Month on a somber note was the detention of Awra Briguela for a friend who was allegedly groped by a harasser at a Makati bar. End the month of June on a high note by reading the biggest stories of INQUIRER.net’s entertainment section from June 23 to 29.
Buboy Villar says sorry to Jose Manalo
Jose Manalo and Buboy Villar. Image: Instagram/@eatbulaga1979, @buboyvillar
Jose Manalo disclosed that Buboy Villar, one of the hosts of the new “Eat Bulaga,” was in tears when he reached out to the former to say sorry for agreeing to host the noontime show.
Manalo recalled the conversation he had with Villar, during an ambush interview at the “TVJ and DABARKADS Media Day” last June 20. He also spoke about his relationship with Villar, saying they go way back when the latter was younger and was tagging along with Manalo in his shows saying, “Alaga rin naman natin si Buboy. Wala namang problema.”
The host-comedian also addressed the comparison between the original “Eat Bulaga” mainstays and the new hosts, which has been a topic of discussion among fans.
“May sarili silang (hosts) idea, may sarili silang atake so respetuhin na lang natin ‘yon. Syempre iba ‘yung atake namin sa atake nila, so hindi pwedeng magkapareho halos talaga,” he said.
Manalo then underscored how he does not encourage the hate against the show hosts, noting that he also experienced being in the same situation as they.
“Nanggaling din naman ako sa gano’n e. Nag-umpisa rin ako, so ‘wag natin idiin ‘yung mga taong nag-uumpisa,” he told Sermino. “Sabi ko nga, pag ‘di ka lumingon sa pinanggalingan mo, hindi ka makakarating [sa paroroonan mo].”
READ: Jose Manalo reveals Buboy Villar said sorry to him for hosting new ‘Eat Bulaga’
Ricci Rivero’s ‘mystery girl’
(From left) Ricci Rivero, Andrea Brillantes. Images: Screengrab from YouTube/GMA Network, Instagram/@ricciiirivero
Ricci Rivero confirmed speculations that Andrea Brillantes saw him with a girl at his place, but he stressed that he had no relationship with the girl and that she was just a companion of one of the basketball player’s friends.
During an interview for “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” last June 26, Rivero disclosed that he and Brillantes “took a break” sometime in April before they eventually decided to call it quits in the first week of May.
“‘Yung cause ng breakup was ‘yung speculations na kumakalat sa social media, ‘yung may nakita siyang girl sa place ko,” he continued. “Pero ilang beses po namin pinag-usapan ito… na sinabi ko sa kanya with all the evidences I have… na hindi po sa akin ‘yung girl. May papuntang friend ako nang midnight tapos hindi ko naman alam na may kasama siya. ‘Yun yung inabutan [ni Andrea] that time.”
Rivero stressed that he explained the situation to Brillantes, who he revealed took the video of the incident that made rounds on social media, and that the two of them were apparently able to resolve the misunderstanding.
“Alam ko po na naniniwala siya sa akin kasi even after that, nag-uusap at nagkikita pa rin kami. Maayos kami, as in ‘yung usual us na walang away, walang taasan ng boses,” he said.
Rivero then addressed the third-party accusations against him and beauty queen-turned-politician Leren Mae Bautista, with the basketball player saying that the latter had no involvement in his breakup with Brillantes. Rivero further talked about the photo of him that Bautista posted and later removed from her Instagram Stories.
“Walang kadeny-deny do’n sa picture but pag-post niya po kasi, sobrang daming bash agad and hate messages,” Rivero said. “So siguro, ‘yung fear na ma-misinterpret ng tao dahil hindi naman po out ‘yung breakup namin [ni Andrea] kaya [Leren] took the [Instagram Story] down.”
Rivero also revealed during the interview that it was Brillantes who asked him not to immediately announce their breakup to the public.
The basketball player further pointed out that he did not use Brillantes as a “trophy girlfriend,” adding that he even refused offers of interviews and shows with the actress.
Rivero confirmed his breakup with Brillantes last June 9, as he asked the public to respect their decision to keep it private and “preserve what’s left of [their] friendship.” Brillantes then later confessed that while she was doing OK, she still was not fully healed from her heartbreak.
Paolo Contis: ‘Di kami susuko’
Image: screengrab from Facebook/Paolo Contis
Paolo Contis vowed that he and his fellow hosts will continue to bring joy through the revamped “Eat Bulaga,” despite the show’s social media pages being taken down due to apparent mass reporting.
The actor spoke about the mass reporting along with co-hosts Isko Moreno, Buboy Villar and Betong Sumaya, among others, during an episode of the noontime show last June 20.
“May nabalitaan ako. Sa Facebook daw maraming newscaster, mga nagre-report at nagtagumpay sila. Congratulations!” Contis said in jest. “Pero kami, ang gusto lang namin ay magpasaya at mag-enjoy kaya hindi kami susuko. Mapapanood niyo pa rin ang ‘Eat Bulaga’ sa Facebook, sa official Facebook page ni Yorme (Moreno) at sa official Facebook page ko.”
Contis noted that his and Moreno’s Facebook pages are verified by the platform, joking that they would then use the other hosts’ social media pages should his and Moreno’s pages be taken down as well.
Moreno echoed what Contis said and told their fellow hosts, “Hindi tayo susuko. Kumbaga, katulad ng mga Dabarkads natin na nanonood, na sa kani-kanilang buhay ay hindi sumusuko. Dahil nandyan kayo—sa studio, d’yan sa TV, sa buong mundo—hindi kami titigil na mapasaya kayo sa maliit naming kaparaanan,” he then addressed the fans.”
Also included in the lineup of new “Eat Bulaga” hosts are Cassy Legaspi, Mavy Legaspi and Alexa Miro, who were all introduced last June 5.
After the new hosts were launched on the show, Contis clarified that they were not aiming to replace the original show mainstays Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon. Contis further appealed to fans to give the new hosts a chance as they were only “called to work.
READ: Paolo Contis declares after new ‘Eat Bulaga’ social media pages got taken down: ‘Di kami susuko’
James and Bimby’s renewed relationship
James Yap (right) with Bimby Aquino in a file photo
During a conversation with Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Dolly Carvajal, James Yap revealed that he’s ecstatic over reconnecting with his son with ex-wife Kris Aquino, Bimby Aquino Yap, eight years after not being able to keep in touch with one another.
“Miga, I’m super happy to hear from Bimb after eight years. I’ve been praying for this day to come. Na-miss ko sobra si Bimb! It’s the best Father’s Day gift ever,” he told Carvajal. “He said that he is looking forward to seeing his brother MJ again and meet his sister Francine soon. He wished me luck in my new career as a public servant.”
Yap is a councilor of the first district of San Juan City.
He also shared that he’s looking forward to building “millions of memories” with Bimby to make up for lost time.
READ: James Yap on renewed relationship with son Bimby
Herlene Budol’s Q&A brouhaha
Herlene Nicole Budol/ARMIN P. ADINA
Herlene Budol has drawn the ire of pageant enthusiasts and netizens who watched her playful approach during the question-and-answer portion of the Miss Grand Philippines (MGPh) 2023 press presentation, saying her responses seemed to show her lack of effort to understand the goals of the pageant.
A video of Budol’s response to the interviewer’s question was shared on the official Facebook page of the national competition last June 20, which became viral on the internet due to her somewhat hilarious answers, with some saying her lack of communication skills might work against her in the pageant.
The question was what else she could offer aside from her huge media following, to which she replied: “Thank you for that long question for me. Chariz! I have a big followers (sic) because I have a big heart. Oh, English ‘yun ha? Nakapag-compose po ako kaagad. Ano nga ulit ‘yung tanong? she said, drawing more laughter among the crowd.
The interviewer then repeated her question, but in Filipino.
Budol, more serious this time, replied: “I think this is the right time… Last year, siguro hindi ko po oras. Ang sabi nga ng adbokasiya ng Miss Grand is, um ano ba yon? World peace and what else again? Stop the war and peace. Since I was young — ang sarap mag-English — na-bully po ako sa eskwelahan, nabugbog po ako sa tahanan, at dumayo po ako sa ibang bansa, natutukan ng tatlong baril nang talagang armalite at naging dayuhan.” she continued.
These hardships, she said, enabled her to become stronger and to face challenges head-on, adding that it is her wish for her supporters to derive strength from her own experiences.
Following the now-viral video, Budol apologized on her Facebook page for “losing composure” during the pageant’s question-and-answer portion.
“Sa sobrang kaba ko po Hindi [ko po na-explain] yung kung anong gusto [ko pong] sabihin. Sorry I admit di po ako magaling sa lahat ng bagay,” she said. “Sorry kung nawalan po kayo sakin ng kumpyansa sa isang pagkakamali.”
Meanwhile, Budol insisted that she’s serious about joining the national tilt although she initially had plans to quit the pageant, during an interview with veteran host Boy Abunda.
READ: Herlene Budol’s hilarious responses in Miss Grand Philippines Q&A draw laughs, sneers
Awra Briguela faces physical injuries, assault charges
Image: Instagram/@awrabriguela
Criminal charges have been filed against Awra Briguela after her arrest outside a pub in Makati City following a brawl with several individuals including employees of the bar that she and her friends went to.
Briguela, whose real name is McNeal Briguela, and who uses the pronoun she and her, was slapped with charges of physical injuries, alarm and scandal, disobedience to authority, and direct assault. Her case was forwarded to the city’s prosecutor’s office for inquest proceedings, that eventually resulted in her release on Saturday.
Based on the report of the Southern Police District (SPD), Briguela allegedly caused trouble at the Bolt Hole Bar in Poblacion, Makati until she was apprehended by police at about 5 a.m. of Thursday.
The 19-year-old Kapamilya star was accused of starting a fight with the group of complainant Mark Christian Ravana, as seen in a viral video circulating online.
Police said Briguela and her friends reportedly approached and confronted Ravana, demanding that he remove his shirt. When Ravana declined, Briguela allegedly followed him and tore his shirt, sparking a heated argument, which escalated when the celebrity’s friends joined in outside the pub, said police.
On the other hand, content creator Zayla Nakajima defended Briguela, saying the latter merely tried to defend her from a group of men who allegedly tried to sexually harass her.
She also claimed she was “creepily harassed” by one guy “with two attempts,” revealing that her backside was touched, and that the latter “tried to insert his bare hands inside my bra.” This prompted the actor-comedian to defend her and one other friend. EDV
READ: Awra Briguela remains in detention, faces physical injuries, assault charges