Showbiz Roundup: Neri Naig’s arrest, Miss Universe PH defends Chelsea Manalo

(From left) Neri Naig, Chito Miranda, and Chelsea Manalo. Images: Instagram/@chitomirandajr, @themissuniverseph

Neri Naig, wife of Parokya ni Edgar frontman Chito Miranda, was arrested after facing complaints for estafa and violation of the Securities Regulation Code, with reports of her impending chargers topping entertainment headlines.

Meanwhile, the Miss Universe Philippines organization has defended reigning Miss Universe Asia 2024 Chelsea Manalo after content creator Adam Genato criticized Manalo’s performance in the global tilt.

All these and more, as we look back at the biggest showbiz headlines from the week of November 22 to 28.

SPD confirms Neri Naig’s arrest for securities violation, estafa

Neri Naig

The National Capital Region Police Office – Southern Police District (NCRPO-SPD) has confirmed the arrest of actress and businesswoman Neri Naig over complaints for estafa and securities regulation violation.

The SPD issued a statement last November 26, following a report by showbiz insider Ogie Diaz that Naig, wife of Parokya ni Edgar lead vocalist Chito Miranda, had been arrested over the weekend for similar charges.

Previously referring to her as “alias Neri,” police said a manhunt operation led to the arrest at the basement of a convention center in a Pasay City mall at 2:50 p.m. on November 23, on the basis of a warrant for 14 counts of violating Section 28 of Republic Act 8799, or the Securities Regulation Code, issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 111 of Pasay City.

Section 28 of the Securities Code prohibits a person from engaging as a broker, dealer, salesman, or an associated person of any broker or dealer when buying or selling securities unless registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

According to SPD, bail was set at P126,000 for each count, adding up to a total of P1,764,000.

Aside from the illegal securities case, the actress is said to also be facing one count of estafa (swindling) before RTC Branch 112 also in Pasay, with a commitment order issued and no stated bail.

Diaz earlier broke the news when he reported in his showbiz vlog, which was uploaded on YouTube, that he received a document saying Naig was arrested by police in Pasay City for violating the Securities Code.

Chito Miranda on Neri Naig’s arrest: ‘Never siya nanloko’

Naig (left) with Chito Miranda — CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Parokya Ni Edgar vocalist Chito Miranda came to Neri Naig’s defense and vouched for her innocence following reports that she was recently arrested for allegedly violating Section 28 of Republic Act No. 8799, also known as the Securities Regulation Code.

Miranda confirmed earlier reports first broke by Diaz on his vlog that the actress-businesswoman was arrested.

In a lengthy social media post on Nov. 27, Miranda stressed that his wife has always acted with honesty and compassion.

“Praying na ma-sort out na ang lahat ng ito… kawawa naman yung asawa ko. Never nanloko si Neri, at never sya nanlamang sa kapwa. Never siyang kumuha or nanghingi ng pera kahit kanino man. Alam ng lahat yan. Tulong lang sya ng tulong hangga’t kaya nya. Minsan kahit di na nakakabuti sa kanya. Kadalasan nga, naaabuso na sya pero hinahayaan nya nalang, basta wala syang ginawang masama. Pinapa sa Diyos nya na lang,” he began his caption with Naig’s photos doing outreach activities.

The band leader emphasized that Naig was treated unfairly as he detailed what went down during her recent arrest. “Tulad ngayon, endorser lang sya tapos ginamit yung face nya to get investors. Kinasuhan sya ng mga nabiktima.”

“Tapos last week, bigla na lang syang inaresto for the same case kahit hindi pa sya binigyan ng notice na may bagong criminal complaint pala laban sa kanya, and di nya na-defend yung sarili nya,” he continued. “Wala syang nareceive na letter from the prosecutor, walang subpoena, walang kahit anong notice. Yung mga dati, nareceive namin nya, at nag comply sya, (alam naman ng lahat na madali kami mahanap sa Alfonso).

Despite their harrowing experience, Miranda said he’s still hoping that the case against Naig will be dismissed, considering syndicated estafa is a criminal complaint without bail.

He also said that other similar cases against Naig were dismissed, and they are hoping this new one will likewise be dismissed.

“Anyway, dinampot na lang sya bigla. Wala siyang kinuhang pera sa ibang tao, lahat ng pera nila na kay Chanda, ang may ari ng Dermacare. Sobrang bait po ni Neri… as in sooobra. Eto yung babaeng kinulong ninyo without bail, habang nakalaya pa yung mga tunay na may kasalanan,” he added.

Miranda appeared to be referring to Chanda Atienza, who was listed in the Securities and Exchange Commission as the chief operating officer of a derm clinic called Dermacare-Beyond Skincare Ventures, Inc., and who was named by the SEC’s Enforcement and Investor Protection Department in an advisory for “enticing the public to invest in the said entity under its ‘Franchise Partner Agreement.’

As early as May this year, the SEC said it had already filed a complaint against the company for illegal investment schemes, which counted Atienza as one of the respondents.

INQUIRER.net has tried to seek the reaction of Atienza and Dermacare but they cannot be reached for comment.

Neri Naig, Chito Miranda get help from Kiko Pangilinan

Neri Naig and Chito Miranda. Image: Instagram/@msnerimiranda

Former Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan expressed his intent to help his nephew Chito and the latter’s wife, after the actress was arrested over charges of estafa and several counts of securities violation.

Miranda earlier spoke up on the matter to defend his wife, saying Naig was just an endorser of the dermatological clinic involved and that she was used to persuading investors.

“Narito kami handang tumulong, Chito,” said Pangilinan, a lawyer.

“Ang product endorser ay isang talent at kung walang koneksyon o kinalaman sa ownership or management at operations nung kumpanya na involved sa iligal na operations ay hindi dapat managot sa nasabing iligal na gawain,” he explained.

Pangilinan added that he can attest to Naig’s kindness, further noting that the actress apparently fell victim to swindlers.

“Ang dapat habulin dito ay ang may ari at nagpapatakbo ng kumpanya… Dagdag pa, dahil walang natanggap na anumang mga notice sina Chito at Neri sa kaso, kwestyonable ang ligalidad ng warrant of arrest na dapat kwestyunin sa Hukuman,” he said.

In response to Pangilinan, Miranda expressed his gratitude and said, “Handa naman [si Neri] humarap sa court kung kailangan eh, pero paano niya ide-defend sarili niya eh warrant na agad binigay sa kanya na walang bail.”

Miss Universe PH defends Chelsea Manalo from ‘unfair’ comments

Chelsea Manalo in her ‘Hiraya’ national costume. Image: Facebook/Miss Universe

The Miss Universe Philippines organization (MUPH) has come to the defense of its reigning queen Chelsea Manalo amid attacks on her made by Adam Genato, a Filipino content creator.

“[MUPH] condemns the recent video commentary of Mr. Adam Genato regarding [Manalo]. His comments are unfair, insensitive, hurtful, and dismissive of her accomplishments. We do not tolerate bullying and irresponsible vlogging, especially from an accredited MUPH media partner whom we have welcomed to our events,” the organization posted last November 22.

The statement stems from a video commentary Genato uploaded on his platform, criticizing Manalo and her Miss Universe performance. She advanced to the Top 30 of the 73rd Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City last Nov. 16, and was later proclaimed Miss Universe Asia.

“Kung si Ahtisa Manalo ang pinadala natin dito sa Mexico, or even si Christi McGarry, Diyos ko, siguro Lord, buong tatlong linggo nitong mula Oct. 29 to Nov. 18, siguro hindi na tayo matutulog. Gano’n kaingay iyong dalawang iyon,” Genato said.

“Kasi tignan mo, sino ang pinanalo nila? Si Dennmark, ‘di ba Barbie-looking? Eh sino ba ang closest Barbie-looking natin ngayon dito noong nakaraang MUPH? ‘Di ba si Ahtisa?” he added.

Ahtisa was second runner-up to Manalo in the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageant, who then competed in the first Miss Cosmo contest where she finished in the Top 10. McGarry was fourth runner-up in the national competition.

The MUPH said: “For too long, we have allowed such behavior to be tolerated because bashers and haters have been an accepted part of social media. But in reality, we still have a choice to normalize it or speak up against it.”

“We believe that content creators, bloggers, and vloggers, should be guided by respect, responsibility, and decency. In particular, we believe pageant vloggers should exercise greater care in expressing opinions about our delegates, and refrain from making demeaning statements,” it added. “Making potentially or intentionally controversial statements for clout and engagement, but at the expense of delegates, is detestable.”

McGarry also took to social media to share her thoughts.

“[L]et’s please not continue to talk about the ‘would’ve’ and ‘could’ve’s – it’s not what my page is for! [praying hands emoji] Look forward. Miss Universe is granted by destiny. Chelsea is my sis, and my history-making queen, and she should be yours too! [Philippine flag emoji][red heart emoji]” she said.

A member of Manalo’s team, celebrity photographer Seven Barretto, was the first to call out Genato, saying the latter invalidated her merits.

Genato has already issued an apology to Manalo and her team in an emotional outburst released on his platform.

Nadia Montenegro healing after ‘near-death’ experience

Nadia Montenegro. Images: Facebook/Nadia Montenegro Pla

Nadia Montenegro is on the road to recovery after a “near-death experience” during a recent procedure due to her Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome, which she said she was diagnosed with when she was 17.

Montenegro updated her followers about her condition in a video on her Facebook page last November 23, reiterating that she just needs to heal after her procedure. “I just want everyone to know, I’m back home. I just need to heal a little,” she began.

Montenegro then shared that she had a heart ablation procedure, which restores one’s heartbeat by making a small cut in the groin before inserting catheters in the veins or arteries. This would then lead to freezing cells or using small burns to create scars on the heart.

The procedure came after her blood pressure went down, which led to her being rushed to the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

“Ablation procedure po ang ginawa sa puso ko. I’m healing medyo bruised up lang po,” she said. “Ang procedure po na ginawa ay hindi po stent, hindi rin po ako na angioplasty, hindi rin po ako na-open heart surgery dahil sobra po ang aking nerve. Kinailangan pong i-cut ‘yun.”

“Ang nangyari lang po noong Friday ay tinakbo ko ang aking sarili… ang aking BP po ay bumaba na ng 60/49 kaya hindi po naging maganda. Ako po ay inilipat ng SL [St. Luke’s] QC muna and then nilipat sa SL (St. Luke’s) BGC,” she added.

At some point after the surgery, the screen veteran went through a “near-death experience” which was witnessed by her family. “Ako po ay nasa kwarto na and may nangyari pong isang emergency na ang sabi po ay ako’y nawala nang apat na minuto, nangitim nalang po ako, nawala ang aking heartbeat,” she said.

“Hindi ko po alam kung ano ang nangyari, basta paggising ko ay andoon po ang aking nanay at ang aking mga anak at nakita po nila ‘yung nangyari,” she added.

Montenegro then revealed that she recovered from WPW Syndrome, but still needs to undergo “breathing exercises” to help regulate her heartbeat.

“Ako’y masaya na nalampasan ko ‘to dahil po sa inyong mga dasal at dahil sa napakafaithful nating Diyos. And marami pa po akong gagawin sa buhay… I’ll be back soon. I’ll be working soon. Papalakas lang po. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat, God bless us all and ingatan ang health,” she said.

The actress’ heart procedure was first disclosed by her daughter Ynna Asistio on Facebook. In her post, she expressed her fears after “almost losing” the actress.

‘Hello, Love, Again’ crosses P1-billion mark

(From left) Alden Richards and Kathryn Bernardo. Image: Instagram/@aldenrichards02

The Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards starrer “Hello, Love, Again” has cemented its place in Philippine cinema history after it crossed the P1-billion mark at the global box office and became the first Filipino movie to reach the milestone.

Ten days after it opened in theaters, ABS-CBN Films announced that the romantic drama film had earned P1.06 billion at the worldwide box office, as of November 23.

“Thank you for the love, and we love you a billion more,” read the caption to the announcement posted on the Instagram accounts of Star Cinema and GMA Pictures.

The sequel has been breaking records at the box office since its release. On Nov. 13, it earned the biggest first-day ticket sales of P85 million and achieved the highest single-day gross of P131 million last Nov. 16.

It also broke its way into the US Top 10 box office at No. 8 and has become the highest-grossing Filipino movie of all time as of Nov. 22, dethroning the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry, “Rewind,” starring Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, which earned P924 million in its theatrical run.

“Hello, Love, Again” is the continuation of the 2019 blockbuster hit “Hello, Love, Goodbye.” Directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana, the sequel picks up Joy’s (Bernardo) and Ethan’s (Richards) story five years after the events of the first film.

“Hello, Love, Again” also served as the closing film this year’s Asian World Film Festival. In the same festival, Bernardo bagged the Snow Leopard Rising Star Award.

The film also stars Joross Gamboa, Jennica Garcia, Valerie Concepcion, Ruby Rodriguez, Kevin Kreider, Mark LaBella Marc, Marvin Aritrangco, Lovely Abella, Kakai Bautista, and Jameson Blake.