Rio Locsin. Images: X/@GMA_PA, Screengrab from Tiktok/@dwr2022
Updated 11:42 a.m., March 14, 2024
Rio Locsin denied allegations that she did not receive any help from the cast and crew of GMA teleserye “Black Rider” after a behind-the-scenes clip of her getting overwhelmed after filming a heavy scene went viral on social media.
In a video posted by one @dwr2022 on Tiktok, an emotional Locsin was hugged by her co-star Ruru Madrid and one of the crew members after filming what appeared to be an emotional scene for the series. She was also escorted outside the set to get some fresh air before Madrid gave her water.
This led to some netizens to speculate in the comments if she received proper assistance on set, while others wondered if she got carried away by her character’s storyline.
@dwr2022 BREAKING NEWS: Just in The heartbreaking story of RIO LOCSIN’s emotional unraveling on the set of blackrider is truly heart-wrenching. Video by Ericka Maanio #viralshorts #viralpagereel #fbreelsvideo #fbreels#foryou #viralvideo #trending #trendingvideo #trendingnow #viral ♬ original sound – Daddie Wowie 2022
Locsin clarified the speculations in a statement via GMA Public Affairs’ X (formerly Twitter) page on Sunday, March 10, where she pointed out that Madrid did his best to take care of her behind the scenes.
“Nakakabigla nga, dahil parang hindi ko inaasahan ang mga lumalabas na balita. Hindi talaga ako iniiwan ni Ruru pagkatapos ng mabibigat na eksena, inaalalayan niya ako hanggang sa makalma na ako,” she said.
“Hindi po ako pinababayaan ng mga kasamahan ko sa set ng Black Rider.” Pinag-usapan ang mga Black Rider stars na sina Ruru Madrid at Rio Locsin dahil sa kanilang trending video sa social media.
Narito ang pahayag ni Ms. Rio Locsin at ang totoong kuwento sa likod ng viral video. pic.twitter.com/lehbMWaVso
— GMA Public Affairs (@GMA_PA) March 10, 2024
The actress then stressed that a medic was on standby during filming and that she sees the cast and crew of the GMA show as “family” to her.
“Kaya hindi totoo na walang medic na tumutulong, anytime, nandyan lang sila. Hindi rin totoo na inatake ako ng hika. Wala po akong hika,” she said. “Maraming salamat sa concern ng mga nakapanood. Inuulit ko, maayos po ang aking kalagayan at hindi po ako pinababayaan ng mga kasamahan ko sa set ng ‘Black Rider.’”
(It’s not true that there was no medic on standby anytime. They were there. It’s also not true that I suffered an asthma attack. I have no asthma. Thank you very much for the concern of the viewers. I want to reiterate that I’m fine and my colleagues in “Black Rider” took care of me.)
Medic, ambulance on standby
Locsin also reiterated that a medic, ambulance, and security officers are usually present to assist the cast and crew of “Black Rider” in an interview with GMA’s Balitanghali on March 12.
“Walang kapabayaan na nangyari sa set ng ‘Black Rider.’ May medic kami, meron kaming ambulansya, meron kaming security officers, wala po. Alagang-alaga po ako sa set. Wala pong untoward incident,” she said. (There was no such thing as neglect that happened on the set of “Black Rider.” We had a medic, ambulance, and security offers. There was no such thing. I’m being taken care of on set. There’s no untoward incident.)
Madrid likewise defended the show’s production team in the same report.
“Imposibleng wala pong medic sa set dahil hindi natin alam kung ano pwedeng mangyari sa atin sa time na nagtatrabaho tayo (It’s impossible to not have a medic on set because we don’t know what can happen to us while we’re at work),” he said.
Apart from Locsin and Madrid, the GMA series also stars Yassi Pressman, Matteo Guidicelli, Katrina Halili, Arra San Agustin, and Jon Lucas.