Star In A Million alumnus Michael Cruz wrote a letter of complaint addressed to MTV Philippines CEO and President Francis Lumen concerning an incident which allegedly transpired last Saturday, March 7, at the reunion concert of the Eraserheads, The Final Set.
MTV Philippines was the producer behind the mammoth concert event which reportedly drew an estimated crowd of "more than a hundred thousand."
Michael alleged that he was harassed by the security personnel assigned to the concert venue.
"At around 10:00 p.m., as I was about to enter the VIP section of the said concert venue, one of the bouncers from Asuncion Security and Protection Agency, known to me only by his first name 'Alex,' suddenly accosted me and, without any warning, lifted my shirt in front of the gathering crowd. Strangely, he, together with another bouncer whose name I was not able to obtain, rudely laughed which caught the attention of people standing by," Michael complained in his letter.
Michael, who is part of ABS-CBN's videoke game show program The Singing Bee,was reportedly told by the bouncer that the "lifting of the shirt" procedure was mandatory to ensure that safety measures set by the production team are observed by the concert goers.
"I am willing to adhere to the SOP of physical check. But I believe that the offensive chuckle is very much uncalled for. And curiously, though, nobody else's shirt was lifted as part of such alleged SOP," the singer protested.
APOLOGY DEMAND. Michael is now asking the Asuncion Security and Protection Agency to issue a formal written apology and impose the necessary disciplinary action against the bouncers.
"When I purchased a VIP ticket [Php 5,000], I paid its premium price with the expectation that with it comes the usual privileges given to a VIP at a concert event. I am sure you understand why I am utterly aghast and insulted by the treatment I received in the hands of the said bouncers."
Lastly, Michael issued a stern warning against the security agency by stressing: "Please advise Asuncion Security and Protection Agency that should I fail to receive a formal written apology within five (5) days from the receipt of this letter, I shall be constrained to take all appropriate legal action available to me under law."
Michael was part of ABS-CBN's singing contest Star In A Million where he joined in 2004 as part of the second batch; alongside eventual champion Frenchie Dy, Nyco Maca, and OJ Mariano.