Showbiz Roundup: Sunshine Cruz, Atong Ang, Jamela Villanueva, Yasmien Kurdi

(From left) Jamela Villanueva, Sunshine Cruz, Atong Ang, Ayesha Soldevilla, and Yasmien Kurdi. Images: FILE PHOTOS

All eyes were on Jamela Villanueva, the non-showbiz ex-girlfriend of Anthony Jennings, whose mere repost about “forgiveness” ignited several clicks from curious netizens, as it came days after exposing Jennings and his onscreen partner Maris Racal.

Meanwhile, Atong Ang confirmed to a news program that he and Sunshine Cruz are dating, following clips of their kiss at a cockpit garnering attention from netizens. He has yet to clarify if he and his wife Iris had already parted ways.

Another report that gained attention was Yasmien Kurdi, who stood up for her daughter Ayesha after she was allegedly bullied by her classmates at the Colegio de San Agustin in Makati. This led to the institution accusing the actress of making a private matter public, as the involved individuals are minors.

Allow us to guide you through the biggest entertainment headlines from the week of December 13 to 19.

Jamela Villanueva on ‘forgiveness’ after Maris-Anthony exposé

Maris Racal, Anthony Jennings and his ex-girlfriend Jamela Villanueva. Image: Instagram/@mariesteller, @jamelavillanuevaa

While Jamela Villanueva has yet to issue a statement following her controversial exposé of her ex-boyfriend Anthony Jennings’ alleged conversations with Maris Racal, she caught the attention of netizens after reposting a video about forgiving oneself.

Villanueva piqued the interest of eagle-eyed netizens after reposting a video from @gmindset on her TikTok page, which showed motivational speaker Jay Shetty giving a reminder about “forgiving yourself.”

Villanueva made headlines after exposing the alleged conversations between Racal and Jennings on her Instagram Stories last Dec. 3, saying it’s a way of sharing her “truth” and protecting herself and her loved ones from “attackers” on social media.

Atong Ang confirms relationship with Sunshine Cruz

Sunshine Cruz and Atong Ang. Image: TikTok/@ayeeshasanchez12

Gambling tycoon Atong Ang officially confirmed his romance with actress Sunshine Cruz following their public cockpit kiss that generated online buzz.

A news item on the Dec. 17 episode of “Bilyonaryo News Channel” announced that Ang confirmed his relationship with Cruz.

Last week, videos of Ang and Cruz locking lips at a cockpit arena went viral on social media. The first clip showed the actress walking to the table where the business was sitting to give him a kiss.

A second video, which appeared to be taken on a different day but same location, showed Ang walking towards Cruz to kiss her on the lips, not minding the onlookers.

Cruz was previously in a six-year relationship with Macky Mathay before announcing their split in Sept. 2022, saying she realized their relationship wasn’t progressing. The actress was also previously married to actor Cesar Montano before their marriage was annulled in 2018.

Meanwhile, Ang was previously linked to Gretchen Barretto after they were spotted together at events, but the actress asserted they were only business partners.

Ang has yet to confirm if he’s now legally separated from his wife, Iris.

CSA tells Yasmien Kurdi to ‘cooperate’

Yasmien Kurdi (right) with her daughter Ayesha. Image: Instagram/@yasmien_kurdi

The alleged bullying incident involving Yasmien Kurdi’s daughter Ayesha is shaping up to be a bitter battle as the latter’s school, identified as Colegio San Agustin (CSA) in Makati brought in lawyers directing Kurdi to “cooperate” to resolve the matter.

In an official statement on its Facebook page on December 18, CSA lawyers also told Kurdi to refrain from “blowing out” the issue in public and making the identities of the other students known as they are still minors.

According to the school, the incident was simply a “situation where students were discussing Christmas party decorations,” which had already been resolved last December 10. It also stressed that the matter was immediately addressed with the students and parents involved and that it is handling the matter “with caution, circumspect, and confidentiality” because the students involved are minors.

CSA then pointed to Kurdi being a public personality, thus might be used to public attention, in airing the incident regarding her daughter. “While we assume good faith in the public actions and statements of Mrs, Soldevilla (Kurdi), these may have unintended consequences on the students involved including her own daughter.”

The Makati-based institution also turned the tables on Kurdi, saying that in calling public attention to the matter, Ayesha’s alleged bullies might be subject to “undue branding.”

CSA limited commenting on its Facebook post while Kurdi maintained her silence on the school’s statement.

The actress earlier claimed Ayesha, her daughter with non-showbiz husband Rey Soldevilla, was allegedly subjected to bullying by her classmates for years, which supposedly came to a head when they recently “ganged up” on her. She claimed Ayesha was even on the receiving end of an “online hate group.”

Yasmien Kurdi’s sister-in-law calls out CSA

Yasmien Kurdi (right) with her daughter Ayesha. Image: Nice Print Photography via Instagram/@yasmien_kurdi

Yasmien Kurdi‘s sister-in-law came to the actress’ defense, calling out CSA in Makati for “targeting and bullying” her after she complained that her daughter Ayesha was bullied in school.

In a Facebook post, Jens Soldevilla slammed the school for “protecting” Ayesha’s alleged bullies and the school’s name reputation, rather than her “traumatized” niece. This came after CSA released a statement also on Facebook for Kurdi to cooperate with the school and refrain from “blowing out” the issue in public.

Jens said that after CSA came out with its statement on Facebook, she understood why her sister-in-law made public the bullying incident.

Soldevilla then urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to take action on the matter and reminded parents to “think many times” before enrolling their children in the Makati-based institution.

In a follow-up post, Soldevilla reiterated that parents “shouldn’t enroll their children” in the Makati-based institution while sharing a link to the school’s website.

CSA has yet to issue a new statement regarding this, but it previously stated that Kurdi should cooperate with its policies regarding the alleged bullying incident.

Bong Revilla admits having other kids outside of marriage

Bong Revilla and Lani Mercado | Image: Instagram/@lanirevilla

Bong Revilla revealed that he has other children outside his marriage with Lani Mercado, saying the public will soon know about the kids’ identities.

During the media conference for the third season of his show, “Tolome: Walang Matigas na Pulis sa Matinik na Misis,” on December 14, Revilla confessed that his wife knows about his other children after he was asked a hypothetical question regarding his character, who was dealing with a child he fathered outside his marriage.

“Alam ni Lani kung ano ‘yung totoo (Lani knows the truth). Meron [anak sa labas]. But I’m not going to. Pero meron. Makikilala niyo rin kung sino siya, kung sino sila,” he admitted, saying he’s not ashamed of having other kids outside his marriage.

“Hindi naman pwede itago ‘yan, unfair ‘yon sa mga bata. Kapag anak mo, anak mo. Dugo mo ‘yon. Mahalin mo ‘yon. At hindi ko ikinahihiya ‘yon,” he said.

Aside from sharing that he was referring to two other daughters, Revilla did not disclose the names of the children or their mothers.

Jose Manalo, Mergene Maranan say ‘I do’

(From left) Jose Manalo and Mergene Maranan. Images: Instagram/@lizadino, @iceseguerra

Less than a month after announcing their engagement, Jose Manalo and his longtime partner, former EB Babe dancer Mergene Maranan, tied the knot in an intimate outdoor ceremony witnessed by their loved ones.

The couple tied the knot at a beach ceremony in Boracay on December 17, with glimpses of the wedding being shared by TVJ, the Facebook page of “Eat Bulaga,” as well as by the couple’s friends, Ice Seguerra and Liza Diño-Seguerra on their respective Instagram accounts.

Maranan was a radiant bride in a classic white wedding gown with spaghetti straps. She complemented her look with a low chignon and pearl earrings. Meanwhile, Manalo looked dashing in a pink suit over a white shirt. A white bloom also adorned his lapel.

Maranan announced her engagement to Manalo earlier this month. While the longtime couple remained mum on the details, the former EB Babe member shared that she accepted his proposal sometime in February of this year.

Rufa Mae Quinto, husband ‘in the process of divorce’

Rufa Mae Quinto (right) and her husband Trevor Magallanes. Image: Instagram/@rufamaequinto

Rufa Mae Quinto’s husband, Trevor Magallanes, confirmed his separation from the actress and disclosed that they are currently processing their divorce.

Magallanes, who is based in the United States, reportedly released a statement via his private Instagram page on Dec. 13.

“Hey guys, I felt like I need to explain myself based on social media and all that. I want to make myself clear that Rufa Mae and I are in the process of a divorce,” he said. “You may be aware divorce can be very devastating to the children and also the parents. That being said, my marriage has been a sh*t show and I am sorry for that.”

Rumors of marital problems have hounded the couple after alleged screenshots of their conversations circulated on social media.

Quinto, who is currently in the Philippines, got married to Magallanes in 2016. They welcomed their daughter in 2017.

Bobby Garcia, 55

Bobby Garcia. Image: Bobby Garcia’s official website

Bobby Garcia, a director and producer renowned for his work in the theater industry, has died, his family confirmed through his friend, Boy Abunda. He was 55 years old.

Garcia’s death was announced on the December 18 broadcast of “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” where the talk show host and entertainment columnist extended his condolences. No cause of death was mentioned.

His final projects include “Request Concert” for Theatre Group Asia, and the silent play “Request Sa Radyo” which starred Lea Salonga and Dolly de Leon as its alternate leads.

Garcia founded the theater Atlantis Productions (or Atlantis Theatrical Group of Companies) in 1999, which was noted as one of “Asia’s most prolific and successful theatre companies,” on his official website. He directed over 50 plays and led 65 productions throughout his career.

Among his notable stage productions include Dolly Parton’s “Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol” in Canada (Arts Club Theatre Company), and the Manila and Singapore staging of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, to name a few.

Garcia was also the associate director for the 2000 and 2001 staging of “Miss Saigon,” and was one of Cameron Mackintosh’s casting representatives for its revival and UK Tour. He also served as the first show director of the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland in 2005.

Kiko Pangilinan on accepting invitation to Palace concert

(From left) Kiko Pangilinan, President Bongbong Marcos, Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Sharon Cuneta during the 5th “Konsyerto sa Palasyo.” Image: Instagram/@reallysharoncuneta

Days after attending the annual “Konsyerto sa Palasyo” in Malacañang, former Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan clarified his attendance in the star-studded event was to accompany his wife, Sharon Cuneta, and show support for the local film industry.

Pangilinan and Cuneta made headlines after snapping a photo with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos last December 15, with the Megastar calling the Chief Executive her “favorite in their family,” as she recalled some of her most unforgettable memories at the presidential palace.

Shortly after, Pangilinan was the brunt of criticisms, accusing him of forging an alliance with their political nemesis, which prompted him to address the issue.

“I attended the concert in support of the local film industry upon the invitation of Malacañang and to accompany my wife, Sharon, considered by many as one of the pillars of the nation’s film industry,” Pangilinan said in a Facebook post two days later.

Pangilinan also thanked Malacañang for extending its support to the local film industry, as well as in a number of government policies of which he is supportive.

“We thank Malacañang for supporting Philippine Cinema just as we support Malacañang’s decision to ban POGOs and its position in defending our sovereignty against Chinese aggression,” he said.

“Showing up to support and appreciate the initiatives of Malacañang that we ourselves support and advocate does not mean we have abandoned our principles,” he further said.

Cuneta, on the other hand, has yet to address the backlash of her post, as some of her followers had told her not to involve herself in politics.

Pangilinan was the running mate of former Vice President Leni Robredo in the 2022 national elections, where he came second to former Davao mayor and current Vice President, Sara Duterte.