CAMARINES SUR - Raymond Gutierrez admits that the latest rift between his mom, Annabelle Rama, and GMA-7 Senior Vice President for Entertainment, Ms. Wilma Galvante, affects more people other than the two warring parties involved.

"All of us are in the middle of this. It's not an easy situation, but we're hoping for the best," Raymond told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) in an interview last night, February 26, during a dinner party held at the Lago Del Rey at the Camsur Watersports Complex in Camarines Sur.

MOTHER'S INSTINCT. The issue started after Annabelle and her ward Heart Evangelista, turned down an afternoon drama series for fear that the role would damage Heart's wholesome career. There's also another controversy involving Annabelle's other talent, JC de Vera, over a show plus the rumor that the young actor is being transferred by Annabelle to GMA-7's rival network, ABS-CBN.

Raymond said, "I always tell my mom that any situations or any misunderstandings, puwede namang nadadaan 'yan sa mabuting usapan. And Tita Wilma has been a family friend for many, many years and ayokong ma-waste lang 'yong friendship nila, 'yong pinagsamahan nila over one thing.

"Alam ko it's over a JC or Heart project, and you know both JC and Heart are very talented. So no matter which network they go to, I'm sure they will be successful. Pero sana, if ever there are any major changes within the network, sana mabuti 'yong pinag-usapan, hindi 'yong merong grudge or burning of the bridges."

Raymond once again defended his mom, arguing that the feisty Gutierrez matriarch is simply protecting her wards and their respective careers.

"My mom naman I know is only looking out for the goodwill of her talent," said Raymond, who came to Camsur to participate in the first Aqua Fest Celebrity Challenge.

"Lagi niyang sinasabi na pinuprotektahan ang talent niya, and I believe in that. And my mom is one of those managers na itinuturing niya 'yong mga alaga niya na parang anak. So, kung merong mga misunderstandings o merong mga problema, talagang she'll fight for them.

"And I know that Tita Wilma is also looking out for the best interest of the network and sana lang they meet halfway," Raymond said.