Showbiz Roundup: Ronaldo Valdez’s death, leaked video

The entertainment industry was on a standstill as award-winning actor Ronaldo Valdez died last Dec. 17, where fellow celebrities and his supporters are still in mourning.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD), which confirmed Valdez at around Sunday afternoon in his home, didn’t disclose the cause of his death, while his son and singer-comedian Janno Gibbs requested for privacy in their mourning.

Another cheating allegation made noise in entertainment circles as screenshots of what seemed to be steamy conversations between Rob Gomez and his “Magandang Dilag” co-stars Herlene Budol and Bianca Manalo were uploaded on the actor’s social media platforms, although the involved parties denied any romantic involvement.

On the other hand, Andrea Brillantes’ close friend Bea Borres caught the attention of netizens after sharing quotes on “grooming,” following an explosive report involving “Annaliza” star and exes Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo. Edu Manzano, meanwhile, is one proud dad as he witnessed his daughter Addie’s second wedding to her partner Jared Glassman.

Join us as we go through the holiday season with INQUIRER.net’s explosive entertainment stories from Dec. 15 to 21.

Ronaldo Valdez, 76

Ronaldo Valdez, a screen veteran whose career spanned nearly five decades, has died, his son, Janno Gibbs confirmed last Dec. 18. He was 76 years old.

Initial report from the National Capital Region Police Office said Valdez, whose real name is Ronald James Dulaca Gibbs, died in the afternoon of Sunday, Dec. 17 at his home in Quezon City.

Valdez’s manager Jamela Santos, while not directly confirming his death, made a touching tribute to the late actor on Instagram, sharing a snippet of their last dinner together on December 15.

The talent manager admitted that she’s aware that Valdez will “leave” her at some point, however, she didn’t expect that the latter will “leave [her] this soon.”

Just three weeks ago, when Valdez celebrated his 76th birthday, he posted on Instagram after receiving a bouquet of flowers from Santos, another indication of their deep friendship.

Valdez was survived by his wife, Maria Fe Ilagan Gibbs, and his children, Janno Gibbs and former actress Melissa Gibbs. He was discovered by the late comedian-actor Dolphy in the 1960s, where he starred in his first role in the 1969 film “The Mad Doctor of Blood Island.” As his career progressed, he became known for portraying patriarch roles and rich father or husband figures.

Some of his most well-known projects include “Cedie: Ang Munting Principe,” “Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Los Bastardos,” “Seven Sundays,” “The Mistress,” “Ina, Kapatid, Anak,” “Pasión de Amor,” and “Ikaw Lamang,” to name a few.

His final project was the 2021 series “2 Good 2 Be True” where he portrayed Sebastian Agcaoili, a real estate magnate stricken with Alzheimer’s disease, where he was also known as “Lolo Sir.” It also starred Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla.

Valdez also made waves as the first Filipino Colonel Sanders for a fast food restaurant chain. Among his most notable achievements include being a two-time Best Supporting Actor at Metro Manila Film Festival in 1993 and 1997 and the Golden Screen TV Awards’ Helen Vela Lifetime Achievement Award for Drama in 2015.

Ronaldo Valdez’s wake

Celebrities mourned Valdez’s death on the first night of his wake at the Loyola Memorial Chapels in Guadalupe, Makati City. No details regarding the date and place of the inurnment have been disclosed, and if the wake is open to the public.

Spotted at the first night of his wake were his “2 Good, 2 Be True” castmates Bernardo, Padilla, Alyssa Muhlach, Bianca de Vera, Gelli de Belen, and director Mae Cruz-Alviar, as seen in an Instagram post of Valdez’s talent manager, Jamela Santos. Also seen were Gelli de Belen and Andrew Gan.

Aside from his wake, the German Moreno Walk of Fame Foundation paid tribute to the veteran actor. “In loving memory of a legendary icon that will be forever in our screens and hearts, Mr. Ronaldo Valdez. Thank you for the decades of cinematic magic,” they wrote.

Given Valdez’s notable contribution to the local entertainment industry, messages from various celebrities including Vilma Santos, Aiko Melendez, Chanda Romero, Rosanna Roces, as well as the Film Development Council of the Philippines paid tribute to the legendary actor.

QCPD officials sacked over leaked Ronaldo Valdez video

A Quezon City police station chief and two other personnel were removed from their posts after a video of Ronaldo Valdez circulated online.

Maranan told INQUIRER.net that the video was taken by the first responder, and the other personnel then posted the image to their Viber group.

The two policemen were relieved from their present assignment and reassigned to the District Personnel Holding Admin Section effective Dec. 20.

Also, the QCPD chief said they have identified three civilian Facebook accounts “as the first to upload the video and compilation of photos of the incident on Facebook.”

Names of the said three individuals were not disclosed. They may face Presidential Decree 1829 (Obstruction of Justice); Republic Act (RA) 10173 also known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012 in relation to RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012; and violation of other applicable laws.

‘Magandang Dilag’ love affair?

It seems a reconciliation between Rob Gomez and Shaila Rebortera won’t be happening anytime soon as his conversations with “Magandang Dilag” co-stars Herlene Budol and Bianca Manalo — which include remarks implying a sexual relationship — were shared on his social media accounts.

Screenshots of Gomez’s exchange with the two actress-beauty queens were made public last Dec. 20 via his official Facebook and Instagram pages, which were suspected to be hacked. The post has since been deleted, as of this writing.

The now-deleted screenshots shared on Facebook — which have been already re-uploaded by netizens — show Gomez and Budol’s supposed conversations about their meetings in their respective places; possibilities of Gomez getting back together with Rebortera; and an apparent pregnancy scare.

Also among the screenshots were Manalo’s messages to Gomez for them to meet. In one of her messages, Manalo — who’s in a relationship with Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian — told Gomez that an unnamed person is not with her because “he” is in Valenzuela.

Most of the screenshots on Gomez’s Facebook page were the same ones posted on his Instagram, but another set of conversation was added — one with a certain Pearl Gonzales, whom the actor has apparently been visiting in her place.

On the same day, Gomez said on Facebook that his “phone is not in his possession.” Budol and Manalo, meanwhile, denied any romantic involvement with the actor.

Addie Manzano’s second wedding in Boracay

Edu Manzano celebrated with his daughter Addie and her husband Jared Glassman on the couple’s second wedding at a beach ceremony in Boracay.

Manzano gave a glimpse of the ceremony, showing the “Familia Manzano” bonding at an event held at a resort hotel via Instagram last Dec. 16. Edu’s son and daughter-in-law, Luis Manzano and Jessy Mendiola, were also present at the wedding.

Addie and Jared first wed in September 2022 in a courthouse in the United States, where they are based. Edu flew to the US at the time to attend his daughter’s wedding ceremony.

Their engagement was announced by Edu in January of the same year. The veteran actor expressed his approval of Glassman as he described him as a “great guy.”

Bea Borres on Andrea Brillantes being ‘groomed’

Bea Borres caught the attention of netizens after she posted a series of quotes about “grooming” on her Instagram Stories, which she deleted soon afterward.

“Grooming can be done simply by an adult paying attention, showing affection, or giving gifts to a child. It is a dynamic process that depends on the skill of the offender and the reaction of the victim.” read the quote that Borres posted, without making any reference to anybody in particular.

Even though Borres deleted her posts, several eagle-eyed netizens were able to make a screenshot and reupload them on social media.

Borres’ posts came after a report from the Philippine Entertainment Portal, quoting sources, cited how her best friend and “Kadenang Ginto” co-star Andrea Brillantes supposedly hooked up with Daniel Padilla, who was then still in a relationship with Kathryn Bernardo.

The report stated that Padilla and Brillantes’ alleged dalliance prompted Bernardo to finally break up with her boyfriend of 11 years, which they made public last Nov. 30 via Instagram.

While there was no mention of the cause of their breakup, fans were quick to blame Brillantes, especially right on the heels of showbiz talk show host Ogie Diaz’s report pointing to third-party allegations against the younger actress.

Brillantes, Padilla, and Bernardo have yet to comment on the alleged third-party rumors, as of this writing.