Matinee idol Aljur Abrenica appeared on showbiz talk show Startalk yesterday, June 19, to respond to the issue that earned him the title of "Denial Prince."
This was given to him by Startalk host Ricky Lo himself, who claimed in his column last week that Aljur and rumored girlfriend Rich Asuncion "did go steady but on the sly because Aljur was prevented ('ordered'?) from telling the truth since his team-up with Kris Bernal was being marketed even if in real life the two were never 'on'." Lo further wrote that the two met last year in Bohol while Aljur was filming Nandito Ako... Nagmamahal Sa 'Yo.
In response Aljur said, "Late ko na po nabasa. Napatahimik po ako kasi di ko inakala. Di ko rin po alam bakit hanggang ngayon di pa namamatay ang issue.
"Magkaibigan lang po kami ni Rich. Nothing more. Ever since, magkaibigan kami. Kung paano ko siya tinuring noon, walang nagbago."
As for Kris Bernal, with whom he won't be working for a while, Aljur said, "Turing ko kay Kris, parang kapatid ko talaga. Super close."
He further denied rumors involving him and his other Last Prince co-star Bianca King. "Kay Bianca naman, ganun din, magkaibigan din kami. Magkatrabaho. Dumating sa point na sinuportahan ko siya sa Working Girls. Gano'n talaga ako, friendly."
RICH VS. KRIS. In a separate interview with Kris Bernal and Rich Asuncion on Startalk, Rich said that she and Aljur's onscreen partner used to have a "gap" because of intrigues concerning the love team. But everything has been patched up, she said.
In the same interview, Kris said she and Rich are not involved in a clash. The young actress told her fellow StarStruck season 4 graduate, "Wala naman talaga, tapos pinag-aaway nila tayo."
"Walang dapat ipag-sorry si Kris sa akin," Rich replied, apparently referring to an apology Kris made to her in private because the love team's fans have been bashing her. "Hindi naman po sa kanya ako nagalit."
Though not close in real life, Kris and Rich both said they are friends.
"Hindi niyo po kami makikita na super chika kasi hindi po kami ganun ka-close," said Kris. "Pero friends talaga kami."
Rich added, "Magkaibigan po talaga kami niyan. Hindi naman po kami ganun kadalas magkasama. Kahit nung StarStruck, di kami chika buddies."