Singer and former Star Circle Batch 8 member Lora Love has filed an estafa complaint against songwriter and record producer Larry Hermoso for allegedly failing to honor their agreement concerning promotional efforts intended to boost sales of her solo self-titled debut album under an independent label.
Love, whose real name is Lora Anacan, submitted her complaint-affidavit at the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office last Wednesday, June 2. She was accompanied by Australian executive producer Benjamin Cass and lawyer Ryan Co.
According to Love, who was also the lead singer of the band Girl Talk, Hermoso was commissioned to oversee recording of the album and post-production activities for the total cost of P1,020,000.
Although the album was completed and eventually released on November 2009, albeit with delays, Hermoso allegedly failed to deliver "half of the services stipulated, which amounts to P600,000 in value, as stipulated in the agreement."
BROKEN PROMISES. These "unfulfilled" services, according to Lara's camp, include radio and television promotions, mall tour, a press launch, and other miscellaneous services.
"Ang kini-claim ko lang naman is 'yong pera na dapat sa promotion and it's not all about the money now. It's more about bringing justice, not just for me but justice din to the other talents na na-swindle niya 'yong money. But at the same time also to protect 'yong future talents natin dito sa Philippines na hopefully they can pursue their dreams without having someone like Larry Hermoso to swindle the money from them," Lora told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal).
"I thought he was a charming man," Benjamin Cass said about Hermoso. "He had a long history in the music industry in the Philippines. I was aware of his many compositions particularly in the mid-'90s. He was a popular composer not only for artists but also for soundtracks for different movies and television shows. I found him to be a charming and intelligent person and I think charm is a big part, frankly, of every con artist."
He continued, "I started to sense there was a problem whenever he would promise things and then I would have my solicitors back in Australia prepare documents to document any contract or any arrangement and Larry would get very evasive and he would tell me, 'No, no, no things aren't done like this. You need to trust me.' And I would say, 'Larry, I do trust you but I as the executive producer, I would feel much more comfortable documenting everything.' That took a lot of work to convince him to commit to writing what he was saying."
Cass also mentioned that there were a lot of other promises given by Hermoso, which failed to make it on record. "But I documented a lot and that's the subject of the claim of estafa today."
COURTING ATTENTION. Larry Hermoso—who penned the songs "Kapag Ako ay Nagmahal," "Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita," and "Nanghihinayang," among others—denied the allegation.
"My production staff has all the evidences to clear my name on this matter. I have all the documents to prove that it's them who should be sued for breach of contract," said Hermoso in a text message sent to PEP on the night of June 2.
The songwriter and producer went on to claim that the lawsuit filed against him was Love and Cass's "way of getting attention" to promote "the album I made for them."
This is not the first time that Hermoso's name has been involved in a similar controversy. In 2007, then 18-year-old singer Kisha claimed that Hermoso "overcharged" production costs while making empty promises during the time they were recording her debut album.