Showbiz Roundup: Mark Anthony Fernandez, Nadine Samonte, Willie Revillame

Mark Anthony Fernandez was the talk of the town after an alleged video scandal involving a man bearing a striking resemblance to the actor made the rounds of social media.

Meanwhile, Nadine Samonte gained the support of the public after allegedly receiving shabby treatment at the star-studded GMA Gala 2024 which took place at the Marriott Hotel earlier this month.

On the other hand, Willie Revillame once again made headlines after bearing down on the staff of his new game show “Wil To Win” on TV5.

Get your weekly showbiz fix through INQUIRER.net’s hottest entertainment headlines from July 19 to 25.

Mark Anthony’s alleged scandal

Mark Anthony Fernandez was the talk of netizens after his alleged sex video scandal made rounds on social media.

In one of the posts, the footage shows a naked man with a striking resemblance to Fernandez. In the clip, he was joined by an unknown woman, leading to a sexual encounter.

Fernandez or his management have yet to comment on the video.

The actor currently stars in the Vivamax movie “Package Deal.” He recently said in a press conference that he tried to court his leading lady, Mariane Saint, but got turned down. He also wished that he could turn their love scenes into the real thing.

Fernandez was previously married to Melissa Garcia before their separation in 2014. He is the father of “Pamilya Sagrado” lead star Grae Fernandez.

Nadine’s GMA Gala 2024 snub

Nadine Samonte admitted feeling “frustrated and lost” after receiving shabby treatment at the GMA Gala 2024, despite preparing for the star-studded event since last year.

In an interview on Ogie Diaz’s Showbiz vlog on July 23, Samonte said that despite her having complied with the RSVP, the treatment she received was not proportional to the effort and preparation she made for the night, thus she decided not to finish the program and leave.

“Hindi ko kasi mapigilan ang team ko na magpost sila at maglabas ng sama ng loob. Siyempre, nagpagod at naghirap kaming gawin ang shoot, pagandahin ako for almost a year of preparation tapos ‘yun lang ang nangyari. Paglabas ko sa event, hindi ko natapos ang program. I was so frustrated and so down and lost,” she said.

After multiple attempts to say her “last name” in the registration, Samonte recalled being allowed inside after disclosing that she had a show with GMA. She was then brought to sit at a table, however, it was already full and it already had the names of the guests.

Despite having a table, the actress confessed that she still felt dismayed over the incident.

Samonte, however, reiterated that she’s thankful to GMA for inviting her. But she hoped its production would “be more vigilant” when it comes to addressing matters like this.

Nadine looks at the ‘brighter side’

After her disappointing experience at the GMA Gala, Nadine Samonte said she is now ready to move on as she appealed to her followers to put the matter to rest.

While thanking her loved ones, Samonte stated on her Instagram page on July 24, that she wants to “look at the brighter side of life” after the incident, while acknowledging that organizer Sparkle GMA Artist Center is “looking into the matter.”

“Appreciated all your sweet messages but this needs to end. I would like to move on and look at the brighter side of life. Thank you Sparkle Family for looking into this matter to prevent any future mishaps. Thank you to my Team and my handler for your relentless love and support. Lastly Thank you to GMA and Sparkle for reaching out to me, it truly meant so much,” she wrote.

The actress then reiterated that she doesn’t harbor any negative feelings towards the Kapuso network.

“Uulitin ko never po naging masama ang loob ko sa network at lagi ko nga sinsbi hindi magkakaroon ng isang Nadine Samonte kung hindi dahil sa GMA and I will forever be grateful for that,” she said.

Samonte’s snub first came to light when members of her glam team posted on social media about their dismay over the incident.

‘Nahihirapan na ako sa show na ‘to’

Just days after the launch of his new game show “Wil to Win,” Willie Revillame appealed to the staff of the program to pity him, lamenting how he has to assist most of them in doing their jobs.

Revillame reprimanded staff members after some “lapses” during the live show on July 18. Among these were when the disc jockey made a mistake during the opening segment; when the floor director walked in front of the camera; and when the proper materials for a segment were not immediately provided.

“Naiintindihan niyo ba ako kung bakit ako nagagalit? ‘Yan po ang problema ‘pag hindi alam ang ginagawa sa show. Ako lahat ang nananagot,” Revillame said. “Tapos sasabihin niyo mayabang na naman, bina-bash niyo ako—kasi pinapaganda ko ang programa.”

In the latter part of the show, Revillame opted not to continue a segment because they did not have enough time due to the delays. He then addressed the staff and said that they would have a meeting after the program.

“Diyos ko, aatakihin ako sa inyo dito… Napakaswerte ko ngayong araw na ito. Bukas naka-dextrose ako,” he sarcastically said. “Maawa kayo sa akin. Nahihirapan na ako sa show na ‘to. Ako lahat. Tapos ako ang naba-bash ‘pag nagagalit ako sa ere.”

Before this, Revillame and “Wil to Win” also made headlines after he seemingly threw shade at his competitor shows.

‘My story to tell’

Nadia Montenegro hoped to “put an end to the open secret,” as she officially confirmed Baron Geisler as the father of her 17-year-old daughter, Sophia, stressing that it was her story to tell.

In a “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” interview on July 19, Montenegro was unfiltered as she stressed that “no one has the right to tell her story” even after “someone” revealed it 17 years ago, apparently referring to Geisler.

“I’ve already admitted that. Yes,” she revealed. “Sophia is turning 18 in August. And that’s why I’m here; it’s not for views, not to trend, because that’s one thing I hate, but to put an exclamation on everything.”

“Seventeen years ago, may isiniwalat ang isang tao tungkol sa buhay ko na, I don’t think anybody has the right. Kasi noong time na ‘yun, inaayos ko lahat. Hindi man lang kinonsider [na] 17 years ago, kung ano ang pinagdadaanan ko, ng mga anak ko, kung ano ang puwedeng mawala sa akin. Itong sinasabi ko ngayon na ako’y nagka-anak,” she said, adding that it’s happening again as people feastered on her story following Geisler’s recent interview.

Montenegro stressed that it is her “mistake,” as her daughter doesn’t deserve to constantly get dragged into the issue.

Montenegro said her daughter and Geisler have always been in contact with each other through social media. She then explained why she tried to detach her daughter from her real father. “Huwag nating kalimutan na, bakit ba tumagal nang ganito? Tito Boy, unlimited chances for someone to change. Give me a reason na ipaharap kita sa kaniya nang sober ka. The drunk messages. The drunk text to my daughter. You think that would help her?” she said.

The actress underscored that Geisler spoke about her daughter in an interview without even asking their permission, which led to Sophia’s being bullied. “You came out in an interview all of a sudden without even asking us?”

“Even if you didn’t mention my name, sa tingin mo hindi kami nabulabog? Did you even think for a while what would happen to your daughter?” she continued, apparently addressing Geisler. “She was bullied. Someone all of a sudden just posted on the student council page a picture of Baron in jail. ‘Kaninong tatay ito?,’” shared the actress. “Kailangan ko pa bang ikuwento kung ano ang pinagdaanan namin just to keep our peace?”

Baron’s apparent confusion

While Baron Geisler remained mum to Nadia Montenegro’s supposed tirades against him, Geisler said he had no idea why Montenegro had to speak about such matters publicly.

It can be noted that Montenegro earlier revealed in an interview with broadcaster Julius Babao that her late husband, Macario “Boy” Asistio Jr., is not the biological father of her youngest daughter Sophia.

Montenegro didn’t name outright who Sophia’s biological father is, but the actress seemingly took a swipe at Geisler — whose photo was being flashed during the interview — amid his revelation that he has another child.

Geisler was asked about his reaction to Montenegro’s statement during a private screening of his film “Moro” last July 15.

“I have no comment. Ang akin lang, I’m really happy that she greeted — Sophia greeted, or the child greeted my wife a happy birthday,” the actor said, referring to Jamie Evangelista, who recently celebrated her birthday.

“I would say na I’m very happy where I am right now. With Ms. Nadia Montenegro, I have no comments about that, sa sinabi niya,” he added.

When asked if he was curious as to why Montenegro had to mention such matters on a public platform, Geisler replied, “I really don’t know. Maybe it’s for netizens to find out or to observe na lang why—kasi kahit ako hindi ko naintindihan kung bakit, eh.”