Showbiz Roundup: Miss Universe’s Anne Jakrajutatip’s video, Mariel Padilla

Miss Universe Organization (MUO) co-owner Anne Jakrajutatip shot to the top of entertainment news in the final week of February after a leaked video of herself saying the pageant’s effort to promote inclusivity was just a “communication strategy” to manipulate minority candidates.

The Thai business mogul, however, claimed the video was “edited” to tarnish her and the organization’s reputation. But it had already been too late as the video spread like wildfire in the pageant community, even attracting the attention of Miss Universe Nepal 2023 Jane Garrett.

Meanwhile, Mariel Padilla was criticized after getting an intravenous (IV) drip therapy right in the office of her husband, Senator Robin Padilla, for which they eventually apologized.

Catriona Gray and Sam Milby’s relationship, on the other hand, was thrust into the spotlight after their agency Cornerstone Entertainment announced that they’re going through issues but has yet to clarify if they had indeed parted ways.

In other news, Danica Sotto drew laughs after addressing Thia — daughter of her dad Vic Sotto and his wife Pauleen Luna as her sister, while Stephen Baldwin asked his followers to pray for his daughter Hailey and her husband Justin Bieber.

All these and more on INQUIRER.net’s hottest entertainment news from the week of Feb. 23 to 29.

Anne Jakrajutatip’s leaked video

Anne Jakrajutatip is once again in hot water after she was caught on video saying the pageant’s effort to promote inclusivity is merely a “communication strategy,” earning the ire of netizens, including Nepali beauty queen and model Jane Garrett.

The leaked video — which was originally uploaded by one @missuupdates on Tiktok — showed Jakrajutatip at what appeared to be a business meeting with other executives of the organization as they discussed the topic of allowing “trans women, women with husbands, divorced women, and candidates going beyond the age limit” to compete.

“Now that we changed the age limit, they can compete and come back again. This is a [communication strategy] because you understand that they can compete but they cannot win,” said Jakrajutatip.

She then can be heard as saying that Miss Universe‘s promotion of “social inclusion” was merely a “policy out there” to make aspirants believe they’re “part” of the pageant.

“We just put the policy out there… social inclusion as people would say, like that way of thinking. They would think that I’m a part of the organization. We will tell them, you are unclear, with respect and inclusion,” she said.

The leaked video has since made the rounds of social media, with some calling out the MUO for its “fake” efforts to promote women empowerment. Others said the video marks the downfall of the global tilt.

The original video has since been taken down, although many reuploaded the meeting on social media.

Garrett, who represented Nepal in Miss Universe 2023 last November, took to her Instagram Story last Feb. 25, to reveal that she had an inkling the pageant was “rigged” from her experience.

‘Manipulated’

Days later, Anne Jakrajutatip claimed the leaked video of herself saying the pageant’s efforts to promote inclusivity was “manipulated” to jeopardize her reputation.

She said the video was edited to mislead the pageant community, although she didn’t state how it was done. “The [maliciously] edited video was out of context and used to manipulate other people which led to public confusion, misunderstanding, misinterpretation, and wrong conclusion,” she said on Instagram last Feb. 27.

In her post, Jakrajutatip also referred to a “man” who she said sought to ruin her and the MUO. “I still don’t comprehend why this man, who I was so nice to, would like to jeopardize me and the organization while we were talking about one of the new reality show episodes… However, I do believe that his unlawful act wasn’t successful as we always have clever fans who can distinguish what is real or not,” she added.

Acknowledging that she identifies as a transwoman and mother — two of the sectors that her “inclusivity” talk had sought to attract to join the pageant — Jakrajutatip said she has always been fighting her whole life for gender equality rights.

Mariel Padilla’s drip mess

Mariel Padilla drew flak after conducting a drip session at the Senate office of her husband, Sen. Robin Padilla in a now-deleted Instagram post last Feb. 22. She was seen sitting in the Senate office with her husband in the background as she received her dose of an IV drip.

“Drip anywhere is our motto! Hehehe I had an appointment with [brand] but I was going to be late so I had it done in my husband’s office. Hehe I never miss a drip because it really helps in so many ways. A collagen production, whitening, energy, metabolism, immunity and 50000 much more! So convenient and really effective, magaling talaga,” she wrote.

On the brand’s Instagram page, they also posted a video of Padilla proudly showing her IV drip. “Dahil iba tayo, iba din, look at what I’m doing, dripping lux sa Senado,” she happily said in the clip.

After the photo and the Instagram reel were posted, netizens expressed their dismay over the actress’ “shameless act” for not respecting the formality of the Senate office.

Padilla was in the Senate to support her husband following the passing of the Eddie Garcia Bill in the highest council. The bill is to promote and protect the welfare of film and TV production workers.

Vitamin C drip, not gluta

Mariel Padilla apologized to the Senate for receiving an intravenous treatment while inside the office of Senator Robin Padilla, as she clarified that what she had was a Vitamin C drip and not glutathione.

In a statement coursed through her husband’s office, Padilla said sorry to other senators and the staff of the upper chamber, claiming it was not her intention to “undermine the integrity and dignity of the Senate.”

“I want to extend my sincerest apologies to all concerned, including the members and staff of the Senate and the public. We uphold the Senate’s dignity and integrity,” she said. “Thank you for your understanding.”

Padilla, in explaining why she had her drip session in the senate, clarified that what she had was a vitamin C drip, not glutathione and that it was administered to her by a professional nurse, who was supervising the treatment.

She said that she was just at the Senate on that day to show support for her husband, whose bill, the Eddie Garcia Bill, passed the third and final reading, despite her busy schedule as wife, mother, and online seller.

“To clarify, I received a vitamin C drip, not glutathione, under the medical supervision of a professional nurse… my intent was just to inspire others that even amidst various activities or wherever they are, they can still prioritize their health by taking vitamins.”

An advisory by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned “injectable glutathione is sometimes paired with intravenous Vitamin C. Vitamin C injection may form kidney stones if the urine is acidic. Large doses of Vitamin C have resulted in hemodialysis in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.”

Meanwhile, Padilla’s drip session in the Senate also incurred the attention of the Senate ethics committee through its chairperson, Senator Nancy Binay, who said the committee should look closely into the incident since the matter involved the “integrity and reputation” of the Senate.

Robin Padilla sorry over Mariel’s drip mess

Senator Robin Padilla also apologized to Senate officials over an intravenous treatment involving his wife, Mariel Padilla, which took place in his office.

“Kailanman po ay hindi ko naisip na ipagwalang-bahala ang mga umiiral na alituntunin ukol sa seguridad ng Senado, lalo’t higit ang hindi pagbibigay-galang sa ating institusyon. Makakaasa po kayo na hindi na mauulit ang ganitong uri ng pangyayari,” Padilla said in a letter to Senate sergeant-at-arms retired Lt. Gen. Roberto T. Ancan.

Padilla also sent a separate letter addressed to Dr. Renato DG Sison, director of the Senate’s Medical and Dental Bureau.

“Nais ko pong bigyan ng diin na wala pong intensyon ang aking may bahay na ipagwalang bahala ang mga umiiral na patakaran ng Medical Bureau,” he said in his letter to Sison.

The senator initially laughed off the incident which he said had turned into a political issue. “Kung may nakita po silang masama sa larawan na yan. Paumanhin po. No intention of disrespect. My wife loves to promote good looks and good health,” he said in a text message to reporters.

Catriona and Sam’s ‘relationship issues’

Catriona Gray and Sam Milby are confirmed to be going through some “challenges” in their relationship but are working to mend them together, their label Cornerstone Entertainment said in a statement last Feb. 28, while denying the rumors that they have broken up.

“We would like to address the recent rumors surrounding their relationship,” it said. “While it is true that Sam and Catriona are currently facing some challenges in their relationship, they are actively working to resolve these issues together.”

The agency also appealed to the public to respect the couple’s “privacy” and to refrain from making speculations about their relationship status.

“We kindly request that everyone respect their privacy during this time as they navigate through this situation. We appreciate the concern and well-wishes from all those who have shown support for the couple,” Cornerstone said.

The statement comes days after showbiz insider Ogie Diaz touched on the breakup rumors surrounding Gray and Milby, saying an anonymous source claimed they had already parted ways. However, Diaz stressed that he doesn’t believe in them and would rather wait for their agency.

They were recently spotted at a trade launch of their close friend and labelmate Isabel Oli. Milby also threw a debut-inspired party for Gray’s 30th birthday last January.

‘Kapatid ko pala’

Danica Sotto drew laughs from netizens after she quipped that as a mom, she makes sure her “children” — including her youngest and newborn sister Thia Marceline — gets good sleep.

Danica — who has a 41-year age gap with the newborn daughter of her dad Vic Sotto and his wife Pauleen Luna — was carrying Thia as she hopped on the “as a mom” trend. The trend includes mothers sharing their relatable experiences and moments in their motherhood journey.

“As a mom, I really make sure na talagang mahimbing ang tulog ng mga anak ko—kapatid ko pala,” Danica said in the video, before bursting into laughter with Mara.

Netizens found the video of the sisters “cute,” admiring their bond via the comments section.

Stephen’s prayers for Hailey, Justin Bieber

Stephen Baldwin raised some concerns after he asked for prayers for his daughter Hailey Bieber and son-in-law Justin Bieber without specifying the reason behind it.

The “Usual Suspects” actor reposted an Instagram reel featuring a video of Bieber singing along to a worship song “I Could Sing of Your Love Forever” while playing a guitar. It was originally posted by Victor Marx, founder of All Things Possible Ministries.

“Christians, please when you think of Justin & Hailey, take a moment to offer a little prayer for them to have wisdom, protection, and to draw close to the Lord,” said the IG reel on Feb. 26.

“There are special challenges that folks in high visibility positions face… So often regardless of the material things or the accolades they often face spiritual warfare that is intense and seeks to shipwreck their faith, marriage, and life in general,” read the accompanying caption.

Although Baldwin’s story expired, it worried fans, asking why Hailey’s father was asking for prayers without providing any context.

It already drew a few speculations that it may be about Justin’s health or that the married couple has been experiencing some issues, as the fans discussed them on a Reddit thread.

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TAGS: Anne Jakrajutatip, Mariel Padilla, Miss Universe