Raymond Bagatsing. Image: Instagram/@raymondbagatsing
Raymond Bagatsing warned the public against certain individuals pretending to be directors Lauren Dyogi and Jun Lana, and asking actors to do a “sexy scene” audition.
Bagatsing shared his conversations with the individuals via his Instagram page on Wednesday, Aug. 7, saying he initially went on with the audition out of respect for the two directors.
Based on the screenshots the actor showed, the first individual pretended to be Dyogi and informed Bagatsing of the supposed project. He then instructed Bagatsing to communicate with the other individual pretending to be Lana, who conducted the supposed audition.
“I did a quick audition for him. I took my shirt off upon his request. I did an improv pretending to have my wife who is in Tokyo for a sexy anniversary vid call,” Bagatsing narrated, adding that he was even told that actresses Ivana Alawi and Lovi Poe would be the leading ladies in the project.
“Being an actor auditioning, I did a sexy scene, a teasing scene. When the fake Jun Lana wanted the character to touch himself and be more realistic, I put my shirt on and said, ‘Sorry Direk Jun, this project is not for me,'” he continued. “He cut the Telegram call and messaged on Telegram.”
The individual pretending to be Lana then called Bagatsing “unprofessional” and threatened the actor to “pay for the damages or else everything will be on public.”
“I was plainly trusting two respected professionals in the Philippines showbiz industry. I have nothing to be ashamed of,” Bagatsing said. “It was a professional audition on my part.”
“They are extortionists and black mailers. Philippine showbiz, please show unity,” he appealed. “Please beware of these sick minded people.”
Lana’s production company, The IdeaFirst Company, already issued a statement on the matter and detailed its audition protocol via its Instagram page also on Wednesday.
“We at IdeaFirst want to reiterate our commitment to fair and transparent processes. We believe in treating all talents with respect and professionalism,” it said.
“To clarify, we have outlined our audition procedures,” it further read. “Please be cautious of any individuals or entities claiming to be ‘Jun Lana’ or IdeaFirst who deviate from these guidelines.”
Star Magic likewise addressed the matter through a statement on its Instagram page.
“We want to stress that there is no such project and Star Magic does not conduct auditions that require anyone to engage in compromising acts,” it read. “Any communication or message suggesting otherwise is a scam. The phone numbers provided in these messages do not belong to Direk Lauren. Please do not respond or send any personal information.”