(From left) Leren Bautista, Ricci Rivero, Andrea Brillantes. Images: Facebook/The UAAP, Charis Malico via Instagram/@blythe
Leren Bautista was in fighting form as she tried to defend herself and boyfriend Ricci Rivero from bashers after the latter finally admitted to their relationship a few months after breaking up with actress Andrea Brillantes.
Rivero on Saturday finally confirmed his relationship with Bautista, after which they were hounded by bashers who continued to bombard them with allegations of cheating.
Bautista took time to engage bashers in a word war on her Facebook account last Friday, October 20, after some netizens who “want to push [their] own version of the story” chose to dismiss their explanation on their relationship.
One Abby Gail shared a photo of the Los Baños councilor’s statement in June denying a romance with the baller, saying this needs to be clarified. “Ito lang po talaga need ng clarification. And mag mo move on na ang lahat. Ganon lang (This is what needs clarification, so people will move on. That’s it).”
In that official statement, Bautista denied any romantic involvement with Rivero, saying all allegations against them were “entirely false and have no basis in reality.”
In er reply, she said: “Again, we already explained ourselves and told the truth. Now, if you still wanna push your version of the story, then don’t ask us anymore. You can answer your own questions and get the answer you want. To end this, ask her,” apparently referring to Brillantes.
Image: Screengrab from Facebook/Leren Mae M. Bautista
Bautista was also again asked if she’s the mysterious woman that was seen by Brillantes in Rivero’s place, but she did not directly answer the netizens’ queries and instead reverted to her chosen retort: “Ask her.”
It would be recalled that Brillantes had claimed to have seen a naked woman in Rivero’s apartment unit. The athlete then explained that said woman was “not his,” but “just a companion of one of his friends.”
Image: Screengrab from Facebook/Leren Mae M. Bautista
Bautista also clapped back at one Mitch Ven for asking if she’s the “tita” or aunt of Rivero. In another comment, she said she has the right to defend herself.
Images: Screengrab from Facebook/Leren Mae M. Bautista
‘Throwing shade’ at an ex
The bashing against the new couple appeared to have been exacerbated by Rivero’s seeming shade of Brillantes.
Some netizens pointed out that the athlete’s post for Bautista appeared to “throw shade” at the “Kadenang Ginto” star, where they noted that it’s a “different level of [being] bothered.”
does ricci think he slayed with this caption? 😭 what level of bothered do u have to be to throw shade at ur ex in a post that’s supposedly dedicated to ur new gf? 😭😭😭 https://t.co/tSHUusV9mJ
— łeann g. (@leann_ganzon) October 21, 2023
so funny he was asked directly, may relasyon ba kayo? nililigawan mo? “HINDO PO” tapos ngayon hard launch which is eme and cringe but that pa shade sa ex was uncalled for, may pa ask her ask her pa tong si ante, really??? Ricci and Leren really??? pic.twitter.com/tOrO9gwqFL
— untamed (@midnytfalls) October 22, 2023
Others said the celebrity couple’s relationship left a bad taste in their mouths as it’s a romance that stemmed from “cheating,” while many criticized the baller for “parading [his] replacement” for Brillantes.
“Ganda na nga ni Andrea Brillantes, nagcheat pa si Ricci”
Eh ganda din naman ni Leren (alleged kabet). Moral of this story is kahit gano ka kaganda/pogi perfect smart rich, kung di makuntento partner, magchicheat at magchicheat yan
Cheater’s fault, not the victim’s “kakulangan”
— Nikki. ✨ (@NikkiiLegare) June 12, 2023
He cheated on Blythe with Leren tapos ayaw niyo ng backlash against Leren? Kung hindi ba naman tanga yan si gaga at pumatol sa may jowa edi hindi siya makakatanggap ng ganyan. Cheater si Ricci at malandi at kerengkeng si Leren. Calling Blythe finger queen doesn’t change the fact.
— Ellierydings (@llryding) October 22, 2023
Ricci Rivero, in his grand announcement after months of denial, flaunting his new love – because why do cheaters always need to parade their replacements, right? But then again, Andrea can finally enjoy some peace after walking away from a guy who can’t even do his own laundry.
— #CtrlZDoesntWork (@CtrlZDoesntWork) October 21, 2023
ricci cheater ! ricci baho ! ricci ugly!
pic.twitter.com/VYIAnmz1hW— ayla (@kyldrew) October 21, 2023
On the other hand, X (formerly Twitter) user @politicalsalot said Rivero and Bautista’s relationship is a “typical story” of how people have “acquaintances or friends that they have on reserve,” or a “de facto relationship rebound.”
“People who do relationship rebound strategies see their relationship more like an employment history, something to just fill in the time, instead of what it’s supposed [to] be, someone that you will commit to long term,” they added.
Honestly, the story of Leren Bautista and Ricci Rivero is clear as day to me. This is the typical story of guys (sometimes girls din of course lol) who have acquaintances/friends that they have on “reserve”.
By “reserve”, I mean de facto relationship rebounds that they 1) can… pic.twitter.com/QXBve4vune
— SALOT (@politicalsalot) October 22, 2023
Rivero recently made headlines after he appeared to be provoked by the comments of Brillantes’ “Kadenang Ginto” co-star and close friend Bea Borres who spoke about how “time is the ultimate truth teller.”
Brillantes, on the other hand, has yet to make a comment about her ex and his new girlfriend, as of this writing. EDV