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PEP YEAR-END REPORT (Part 2): A recount of stormy showbiz issues in 2008

Celebrities gave us enough to talk about this year, so we could forget, albeit momentarily, our day-to-day struggles.

Noel Orsal

PEP YEAR-END REPORT (Part 2): A recount of stormy showbiz issues in 2008

Karen A. Pagsolingan

Thursday, January 1, 2009
06:09 AM

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Initially, Richard dubbed the issue an "invented rift." He did not deny that there was some hostility between him and Aljur because the latter "barged in" on him and his friends, sat down, and drank with them when he was clearly "uninvited." But all he did was ask the newbie to "leave the table politely."

 

But several sources , including Aljur —who broke his silence almost one month after the incident happened—said there was really a confrontation and that Richard slapped Aljur's head twice.

 

Simultaneously happening with the Fiamma bar incident was the "historical" reconciliation of Joey de Leon and Willie Revillame, which took place at the Embassy Super Club. After more than a year of a very public word war, the two hosts decided to bury the hatchet.

 

Joey said, "Tama ang sabi ni Willie, mga tuksuhan lang ‘yan. Kaya lang, yung dalawang co-hosts mo [to Willie], paliwanag muna nila kung bakit nakikiiyak sa ‘yo?"

 

Willie quipped, "Alam n'yo naman kami, artista! Ikaw nga ang nagturo sa akin niyan. Pero alam mo, hindi ba na-suspend ako, pero noong na-suspend ka, nakidalamhati rin ako!"

 

Likewise, in a PEP Exclusive, Gabby Concepcion told PEP about his ex-wife Sharon Cuneta: "Sharon and I are friends now. It's different. When my dad died, things have changed. You know, time has a mysterious way of healing things and I think it's happening."


The fourth pregnancy news this year was announced by Angelika dela Cruz. She said, "I am pregnant. I'm very happy and I am very proud." The La Lola co-star also related that she and her boyfriend already got married last August 19.

 

NOVEMBER. After the "hiwalayan issue," Sharon Cuneta found herself facing the persistent rumor about Senator Kiko Pangilinan's "other woman." And this time, she dealt with the intrigue in a more forthright manner.

 

She said half-seriously and half-jokingly, "Di ba, parang ini-insist nila? Humihingi ako ng pruweba, kahit five to ten million cash, ipabibigay ko doon sa tao. Nakakairita! Pengeng ebidensiya! Sige, isasanla ko asawa ko, magbibigay ako ng cash!"

 

Heart Evangelista became the center of attention when her paparazzi photos with new beau Francisco Delgado in Boracay circulated. Last November 12, the Luna Mystika star affirmed what the photos insinuated, and told the press, "Yes, I think I'm in love."


Jennylyn Mercado's comeback was greeted by a rumpus, allegedly caused by her manager Becky Aguila and her former road manager Mel Pulmano.

 

The single mom found out that somebody forged her signature and rediscounted checks on her behalf. Initially, tabloids dropped the name of Mel as the culprit.

 

In exclusive interviews with PEP, the former staff of Becky said she was just a messenger. In phone conversation with her last October 30, she stressed: "Hindi ako authorized na mag-withdraw. Alam ni Jennylyn na manager niya ang humahawak ng kanyang pera. Minsan, inuutusan ako bilang representative ni Becky."

 

In response to Mel's statements, Becky retorted: "Ang pagkakamali ko lang, naging mapagtiwala akong masyado at ipinaubaya ko ang pagha-handle ng talents sa mga handlers. Kung may ginagawa akong hindi maganda sa mga talents, tulad ng ibinibintang ni Mel na ako ang gumagalaw ng pera ng mga talents ko, bakit nasa akin pa rin silang lahat?"

 

Becky filed 19 counts of Qualified Theft, five counts of Qualified Theft Thru Falsification of Documents, at Falsification of Commercial Documents at the Quezon City Prosecutor's office.

 

On Mel's part, "Nagsampa ako noong October 12 sa DOLE, sa Department of Labor. Idinemanda ko si Becky ng illegal dismissal, salary wage, overtime pay, holiday pay, holiday premium, rest-day payment, 13th month pay, separation pay, non-payment, and moral exemplary damage, and attorney's fee..."

 

On a separate note, two socialites made headlines due to a pepper spray incident, which transpired at Embassy Fly last November 19.

 

Patricia Panlilio-Cu-Unjieng, a former model and the daughter of the late jeweler Fe Panlilio, allegedly used pepper spray to hurt stockbroker and fellow socialite Neny Montinola.

 

Actresses Maricar de Mesa and Angelu de Leon became witnesses and women of the hour that night. The two rushed the pepper-spray victim to the hospital.

 

The last item to earn a spot in the hot list of PEPsters was Karylle's transfer to ABS-CBN. Her new management STAGES told PEP last November 7:  "Karylle, warmly welcomed by ABS-CBN executives Cory Vidanes and Deo Endrinal, will be seen in ABS-CBN's musical variety shows, and soap operas.  She is set to record a new album, and reprise her critically-acclaimed portrayal of Maria in STAGES' production of hit Broadway musical, West Side Story, in 2009."

 

DECEMBER. A victory, an unexpected demise, a messy breakup, and reconciliation marked the ending of 2008.

 

December 7, people both rejoiced and grieved over Manny Pacquiao's win in his Dream Match against Oscar Dela Hoya in Las Vegas, and Marky Cielo's death.

 

The latter became this year's most read, and perhaps, most shocking showbiz news. Nobody saw it coming.

 


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