Showbiz Roundup: Willie Revillame, Pokwang hog headlines
Willie Revillame, Pokwang. Images: Screengrab from Facebook/ALLTV, Screengrab from YouTube/GMA Network
The second week of February was a whirlwind of controversies in showbiz, with Willie Revillame and Pokwang becoming the most searched entertainment stories.
Revillame was in the hot seat after he lashed out at critics who he said owed him a “debt of gratitude”, while comedienne Pokwang shed more tears as she narrated more details about her split from husband Lee O’Brian.
Here are some of the biggest entertainment news of INQUIRER.net from the week of Feb. 3 to 9.
‘Kayo ang may utang na loob sa akin, hindi ako’
Willie Revillame. Image: screengrab from Facebook/ALLTV
Willie Revillame has a bone to pick with critics he said he once loved and helped out in the past but are now speaking ill of him during a “Wowowin” episode on Feb. 7.
In his statement, Revillame did not hold himself back as he gave an account of the unnamed individuals who supposedly called him “mayabang” (arrogant) and “nagpapaawa” (appealing to pity) after remarking on the supposed halting of some of ALLTV’s programs.
The TV host said rather than criticizing them, bashers should just pray for the success of ALLTV’s programs.
“Maraming naglalabasan ngayon at talagang medyo winawasak ang pagkatao ko, sinisiraan. Meron akong mga taong minahal at tinulungan… sinabihan pa akong mayabang ngayon,” he said.
According to the TV host, some of the personalities he was referring to was a “reporter” from ABS-CBN who ran for a councilor post and asked him for financial help, and a “God-fearing” celebrity he worked with in the production and that their parents stayed in his house when the star got married in Tagaytay.
He also noted that his 2020 interview with former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, which resurfaced on social media, was “edited out” and was taken out of context. In that interview, Roque was talking about a network that lost its franchise, which many believed was ABS-CBN, which had just been ordered shut by the National Telecommunications Commission in May 2020.
“Hindi na ako matatakot sa inyong lahat, laban na ito kung laban. Masyado niyo na akong inaapi. Tirahin niyo ako minu-minuto, I don’t care dahil kayo ang may utang na loob sa akin, hindi ako. Tandaan niyo ‘yan. Sasabihin ko ang pangalan niyo in time,” he said.
Showbiz personalities Cristy Fermin and talent manager Ogie Diaz lambasted Revillame, saying he shouldn’t exact payment for the help that he extended to friends.
In defense of an ex
Pokwang. Image: screengrab from YouTube/GMA Network
Pokwang revealed at a tell-all interview for “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” on Feb. 3 that she initially defended her ex, Lee O’Brian, in hopes they would still mend their relationship.
The actress-comedienne also noted that her relationship with O’Brian started going sour after a confrontation regarding their now-defunct business, PokLee products.
“Dumating ‘yung panahon na may mga questions na ako — I’m not saying na hindi siya mapagkakatiwalaan. Karapatan ko bilang partner mo sa negosyo na malaman kung nasaan na tayo, ano nang nangyayari,” she said. “Nagpapa-update lang ako sa kanya pero parang ang dating sa kanya… hinuhusgahan ko na siya agad.”
Amidst their behind-the-scenes debacle, Pokwang explained that she covered up O’Brian’s shortcomings in a 2022 interview in hopes of settling their problems for the sake of their daughter Malia.
“Bilang isang ina, [umasa] ako na maayos pa kami kahit ang sakit-sakit na sa akin. Kailangan kong magsinungaling kasi umaasa akong aayusin pa niya,” she added.
The ex-partners’ past resurfaced after the actress-comedienne revealed that O’Brian is currently in a new relationship, and that the latter did not consider their daughter in his new pursuits. She also shared that she was the one who provided for their family when they were still together.
READ: Pokwang admits she lied about cause of split with Lee O’Brian: ‘Umasa akong aayusin pa niya’
Friends or foes?
Vice Ganda and Karylle. Image: screengrab from YouTube/ABS-CBN Entertainment
Vice Ganda admitted that his banter with his “It’s Showtime” co-host Karylle was out of the line, and promised that he will make it up to the latter as well as the viewers.
The comedian was earlier called out by netizens after he apparently talked to Karylle in a sarcastic tone during an episode of the noontime variety show on Feb. 2, however, the video showing the encounter is set to private, as of this writing.
At that time, Karylle was recalling an instance when their co-host Vhong Navarro rehearsed a certain song but was not able to perform during the show, because Vice Ganda suddenly assigned the song to someone else.
“Anong problema natin, Karylle?” the comedian asked, to which she responded, “Natatawa lang kami kasi nga ni-practice daw [ni Vhong].”
“Ok na ‘yan, Karylle,” the comedian said, dismissing the conversation.
The encounter caught the attention of netizens on social media, who called out Vice Ganda for his supposed mistreatment towards Karylle. The latter, however, has yet to comment about the incident, as of this writing.
READ: Vice Ganda gets called out for ‘unfair treatment’ of ‘It’s Showtime’ co-host Karylle
‘Exes’ baggage no more
Cesar Montano (second from right) and Sunshine Cruz (third from left) with members of their “blended” family
Sunshine Cruz revealed in an interview for “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” on Thursday, Feb. 2 that her renewed friendship with her ex-husband, Cesar Montano, completed a “lacking piece” in their lives.
“Very happy ako kasi nakikita ko kung paano nagsha-shine ang eyes ng mga anak ko, and sila na mismo ang nagsasabi na ‘yung piece na lacking sa heart nila [ay] nabuo ulit… sabi ko nga kay Cesar, ‘Magpakabait ka na d’yan kay Kath: napakaganda, napakabait. Napakaswerte mo. Mag-behave ka kasi kung hindi makakaaway niya kaming lahat ng mga anak ko,’” she shared.
The ex-couple, who tied the knot in September 2000, separated in 2018, while their annulment was finalized in 2018. Despite their split, they eventually reconnected as friends and even spent the New Year with their daughters and the actor’s partner, Kath Angeles, in Bohol.
On the other hand, Cruz also claimed that her relationship with ex-boyfriend Macky Mathay failed due to lack of trust.
Amila Sabine’s celebrity godparents
(From left) Kim Chiu with baby Amila Sabine, Glaiza de Castro, Gregg Homan, Angelica Panganiban, David Rainey. Images: Nice Print Photography via Instagram/@iamangelicap
Kim Chiu, Judy Ann Santos, Glaiza de Castro, Bella Padila, Cherry Pie Picache, Isabel Oli, Ketchup Eusebio, and John Prats are some of the celebrity godparents of Angelica Panganiban’s daughter, Amila Sabine, as seen in the latter’s Instagram post on Monday, Feb. 6.
The actress, who gave birth to Amila Sabine in September 2022, also shared glimpses of her daughter’s pastel-themed affair which included a cake adorned with animal and flower designs, a ball pit, and fun games for its guests.
A strong chance of getting better
Kris Aquino. Image: Instagram/@markleviste
Kris Aquino became hopeful about recovering from her autoimmune diseases after her first appointment with a new doctor who is “considered among the best,” as seen in an Instagram video on Thursday, Feb. 2.
The Queen of all Media also opened up about her “renewed confidence” to get better, as she also shared a glimpse of the visit of her friend, renowned Filipino designer Michael Leyva.
“I waited [three and] a half months to have a face-to-face consultation and I know I made the right choice because after months of uncertainty, he gave someone like me, suffering from multiple autoimmune conditions, the most important element needed: the renewed confidence to HOPE that although it will be a long process, I do have a strong chance of getting better,” she said.
Aquino is currently based in the U.S. for medical treatments with her sons, Josh and Bimby. EDV
