Glimpses of 2008's Celebrity Feuds
RING out the old, ring in the new. But before we say a final goodbye to 2008 to welcome 2009, let's take a last glimpse at the colorful happenings in tinseltown for the past 12 months. Showbiz won't be showbiz without the colorful feuds and controversies involving our stars so let's start in that department.
Gabby Concepcion returned in March after staying in the US for 13 years. He signed up to do a movie with GMA Films, but then he got another manager, Mommy Rose Flaminiano, who made him sign a contract with ABS-CBN. After verbally committing to endorse Met Tathione to Jobert Sucaldito, Gabby and his manager signed up with the rival Lucida, so Jobert filed a case against them that became personal when Jobert also filed cases of libel against Mommy Rose and her husband, Ed. Sadly for Gabby, his comeback soap on ABS, “Iisa Pa Lamang,” did not rate impressively as expected.
After only a few months, Gabby and Mommy Rose had a falling out due to money matters. Gabby wanted his contract with Mommy Rose rescinded so she filed a case against him. Nadia Montenegro got involved in this feud, with Mommy Rose alleging she's a "sulsoltant" of Gabby. Cristy Fermin, a defender of Mommy Rose, also got into the fray, announcing on "The Buzz" that Nadia gave birth secretly and a friend of her took care of the baby for a while before she adopted it. Nadia filed a case against Cristy and ABS suspended Cristy from "The Buzz" and her DZMM radio show. Mommy Rose was also sued by Aster Amoyo, Ara Mina, Maui Taylor and Aubrey Miles for deceiving them about real estate that left them having loans with PAG-IBIG Fund without their even knowing it.
Aside from the Mommy Rose-Gabby conflict, there were other incidents involving managers and talents this year. Kuya Germs was so displeased when he found out that his ward, Billy Crawford, left him without even a by your leave to be managed by Arnold Vegafria. Billy also left GMA-7 and transferred to ABS-CBN to host “Pinoy Dream Academy.”
Alfie Lorenzo also had a short-lived tiff with longtime ward Judy Ann Santos, who also got a lot of flak when she defended Meralco's much abhorred system loss claim in a TV commercial. Alfie felt hurt when Juday consulted a lawyer about her new contract with ABS without even telling him about it. Juday quickly appeased Alfie's bruised ego by going to his house and saying sorry to him.
Mother Lily Monteverde ousted comedian Eugene Domingo from her two filmfest entries where she's supposed to play lead roles, "Desperadas 2" and "Shake Rattle & Roll X", all because her manager didn't agree to the producer's manner of payment. Other managers felt it's (too) two good opportunities missed for Eugene and her manager should have just accepted the proposed arrangement since these film projects will no doubt help further boost her stock as a lead actress.
Manager Becky Aguila got mad when someone who used to work for her, Mel Pulmano, went to GMA-7 and had herself interviewed, revealing some unsavory stories about Becky and her wards. Becky sued Mel for alleged malversation of funds and Jennylyn Mercado sided with her. Mel filed a countersuit about unfair labor practice on Becky's part.
Annabelle Rama had a rift with two other women: Lolit Solis and GMA-7 exec Wilma Galvante. She felt Lolit was attacking her daughter Ruffa Gutierrez and defending Lani Mercado when Lani allegedly snubbed Ruffa at the wake of the late Rudy Fernandez. Lani apologized to Ruffa later and the tiff between Annabelle and Lolit was quickly forgotten. About Wilma, Annabelle felt she favored Dingdong Dantes over her son Richard Gutierrez when the Araneta Coliseum concert of Dingdong and Marian Rivera coincided with the opening date of Richard's movie with KC Concepcion, “For the First Time.” They patched things up when Wilma approached Annabelle at the Los Angeles airport when they were both about to watch the recent fight of Manny Pacquiao.
Bubbles Paraiso, a new actress managed by Annabelle, was accused by Starstruck's Jewel Mische of elbowing her on the head during the inauguration of GMA-7's new annex studios. Bubbles denied it but Jewel issued a letter saying what happened was true and she was really bullied by Bubbles and other actresses who were with her at that time.
John Estrada was arrested at the airport for having bullets in his luggage while Jay Manalo was similarly detained for cracking jokes about a bomb. Ara Mina had a feud with own sister Cristine Reyes, who joined her Ate Ara in moving over to ABS-CBN. Ara currently has no show with ABS but Cristine is currently seen in "Eva Fonda" and "Banana Split".
After that inauguration affair, some GMA stars went to a bar in Makati and there was an alleged fight involving Richard Gutierrez and Aljur Abrenica that is said to involve Jewel. Richard issued an official statement saying Jewel was not there at all. What happened was that Aljur approached his table and had some free drinks, so he had to tell him to leave. Aljur said later that none of this was true. Richard didn't bother to respond anymore.
Katrina Halili, LJ Reyes and Alyssa Alano all complained about Riza Santos snobbing them in the dressing room of a show, which Riza denied. Now, Riza has been sued by the company building her up, Viva Entertainment, for not honoring their commitments with them.
William Martinez and Yayo Aguila, along with their daughter Patrizha Maree, filed a case against Baron Geisler who allegedly performed some acts of lasciviousness on her while they were in a bar. Baron also filed a case against her but this was dismissed and the case filed against him was elevated in the courts.
Sunshine Cruz had a tiff with sister Mercedes, of her husband Cesar Montano who she said uttered many derogatory remarks against her. The case is now pending in court.
ABS stars Claudine Barretto and Angel Locsin had a confrontation in a beauty parlor. There was an exchange of words but ABS management quickly made a move to reconcile the two.
Rufa Mae Quinto had a word war with Jessa Zaragoza and Dingdong Avanzado.
To balance the negative stories, Charice Pempengo made waves in the international music scene when she guested in the shows of Ellen Degeneres, Paul O'Grady and Oprah Winfrey, gaining raves. She had the chance to do duets with Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban and Celine Dion. Vocalist Arnel Pineda joined Journey and also gained raves for his singing.
~Mario E. Bautista
according to a source di pa talaga bati sila Clau and Angel pinalabas lang nila na ganun nga. Remember binigyan pa ni Clau si Angel ng book? which may hidden meaning... just go figure.