Love her or hate her, Alex Gonzaga is undeniably a polarizing figure.
The gregarious vlogger-actress certainly can make people laugh with her natural knack for comedy, infecting her thousands of followers to lollygag along as she goes about her merry send-ups.
But on the flip side, Alex also invites criticisms for going overboard, tactless even, with her antics, seemingly uncaring about drawing the line between what is funny and what isn't.
This list recounts those times Alex was caught in the crosshairs of public opinion and in hot water with her peers in showbiz.
ALEX GONZAGA's ICING-SMEARING ISSUE
This is aptly demonstrated in a video of her 35th birthday celebration organized by her close friends on January 16, 2023, which circulated widely and became a hot topic on social media.
The 12-second video shows Alex smearing frosting on a waiter’s forehead after blowing out the candles on her birthday cake.
The angry reactions were immediate, mostly censuring Alex for being "rude" and “disrespectful” to the waiter tasked to hold the cake.
Spontaneously, the video went viral; understandably, the backlash unhinged Alex.
THE FIRST RESPONSE: WAITER IS FAMILY FRIEND OF GONZAGAS
The first response of her camp was to clarify that the waiter, identified as Allan Crisostomo, was a family friend.
According to Peter Ledesma, the family’s publicist, Alex had apologized to the waiter.
WAITER'S LETTER
This was followed by a handwritten statement from Allan himself that said (published), “Last January 17, 2023, around 6:30 pm nasa work po ako. Pumunta po si Ma’am Alex kung saan po ako nagwowork.
“Then nag apologize and nagsorry siya saken tapos konting kwentuhan at sinabi ko po sa kanya na ok na po yung nangyari. Ok na po kami.”
ALEX GONZAGA'S APOLOGY
Alex also wrote on Instagram, “On my birthday, God taught me a hard and important lesson.
"Humility, kindness, and better judgment. I am truly sorry, Kuya Allan.
"To my family, I am sorry for causing you pain and embarrassment. I will rise from this a wiser and better person.”
Then from out of the blue, singer Kris Lawrence came out to defend Alex, saying, "People always have something negative to say.
"Let’s fast forward and after this event that waiter just went viral, will probably get ‘something’ after, and a LOT of sympathy.
"Most recognition he ever got as a waiter.
"So after all the noise…I’m sure he will be grateful that this happened. Looks like people just like to extract the negative out of things instead of positive."
This got netizens angrier, with one calling the singer "out of touch" and "privileged."
Meanwhile, in an attempt perhaps to mollify the heated situation, Alex's fellow vlogger Toni Fowler reminded the public to refrain from passing harsh judgment on Alex.
She said on Wag Po! on One PH, "May mga taong minsan hinihintay ka lang na magkamali.
"Pag hinintay kang magkamali, doon maglalabasan yung mga artista na [magsasabing] ‘nakatrabaho ko yan, ang pangit ng ugali, kesyo ganito.
"So ako, gusto ko rin i-share yung experience ko kay Alex, na napakabait ni Alex.
"I think puwede kong i-share yon kasi nakasama ko siya ng ilang beses na."
DINA BONNEVIE’S REVELATIONS
In an interview in 2018, veteran actress Dina Bonnevie recalled calling out a young actress for arriving late on the set of a project they were doing.
She narrated, “Talagang sinabihan ko siya, 'Who do you think you are? Are you famous? Who are you? What name have you made? Have you carved your name in stone in showbiz? Your call time is 9:00 and you come down from your van at 12:00 na naka-pajama? Really?'
“Sabi ko sa kanya, 'Hindi pa pinapanganak ang babastos sa akin'. If you want to continue taping this soap like this, do it yourself.”
Dina did not name the young star, but curiously and for some strange reason, Alex seemed to be everyone's guess.
Dina's story did not end there.
WAS DINA THE "ARTISTANG MATANDA" MENTIONED BY ALEX IN HER PODCAST?
Alex, in her podcast Ano na Catherine? in December 2022, shared her thoughts about an “artistang matanda” who once berated her.
She said, “Pinagsisigawan niya talaga ko from head to foot kasi akala niya galing ako sa bahay tapos late lang ako.
"Di niya alam na galing ako sa work. Kasi siguro hindi sinabi sa kanya.
“May mga tao who did you wrong and then you won't even talk about it.
"Parang you’ll just let it be. And then pag sila pa yung nagkuwento, sila pa yung mabait, ikaw pa yung masama.
“And then naisip ko, panong dapat kong gawin pag ganun? And then ang daming uma-agree. Naisip ko, wala. Kasi alam ko naman yung katotohanan, e.”
Putting two and two together, it was deduced that Dina was talking about Alex in her 2018 interview, and Alex about Dina in her 2022 podcast.
DINA: "HINDI AKO GALIT KAY ALEX."
Dina confirmed all the speculations during her guesting at Fast Talk with Boy Abunda on January 31, 2023.
She told the host, “Nagkataon lang na noong presscon [nung 2018], may nagtanong sa akin, 'Meron na bang artistang nag-prima donna sa iyo?'
“'Ah oo,' sabi ko, 'marami.’ And then, sinabi, ‘Hindi, balita namin totoo ba iyon nakagalitan mo si Alex Gonzaga?'
“Sabi ko, ‘Oo, pero tapos na iyan. Yes, I gave her hell.' Pero hindi ko naman alam na ilalabas yun after so long. Paulit-ulit na ilalabas sa social media.”
Dina and Alex worked together in the TV5 series P.S. I Love You in 2011, with Kean Cipriano, Nadine Lustre, and Gabby Concepcion.
Dina remembered how everyone's exasperation by the chronic tardiness of their co-star came to a head one particular shooting day, with her being urged to talk to Alex.
Dina related to Boy Abunda, “Hindi rin totoo na pinagsisigawan ko [siya] ng ulo hanggang paa.
"Kasi yung setting namin, nasa simbahan. There was a chapel there, it was somewhere in Antipolo.
“That morning, late na naman siya. Nagpipigil na kami noon. 'Parang, 'Hah!'
“Umuusok na lahat sila, ‘I’m gonna walk out of this set if you don’t tell her up. You gonna tell her up, D, hindi ko na kaya!’ Ganyan-ganyan.
“'Ako ba?' O sige, ako lang naman ang may lakas ng loob.'
“So anyway, wala pa akong sinabi, hanggang sa lunch break, umalis na naman siya.
“Pag-alis niya, pagbalik niya, basa yung buhok, walang make-up, so we had to wait na naman for another three hours bago makapag-take.
“E, siyempre, kumukulo na yung dugo ng lahat. Ako naman, sabi ko, kasi may eksena siya na dapat iiyak siya, e, parang mommy niya ako noon, hindi siya makaiyak."
At this point in the interview, Dina recounted admonishing the young actress.
"Sabi ko, ‘Alex, you know why you cannot cry? Because you’re not in touch with your emotions. You’re very indifferent to your co-workers.
“'You know, honestly, I want to talk to you kasi we don’t like what you’re doing, that you’re always late.’
"'If you want to stay long in this business, you cannot last kung ganyan ang attitude mo na palagi kang late.
"'Dito ka pa maliligo sa set and you cannot even memorize your lines. Hindi ka makaiyak.’”
In the end, Dina clarified, “Actually, hindi ako galit kay Alex,” implying she and Alex had moved on from that incident more than a decade ago.
“I even guested in her show [Lunch Out Loud]... I guested there, she was very graciosa to me. She was very nice to me.”
DIFFICULT TO WORK WITH?
Horror stories about Alex surfaced in the wake of her cake-smearing controversy.
Veteran showbiz columnist Cristy Fermin shared backstage secrets during the time she and Alex were doing the 2008 showbiz talk show, Showbiz Now Na.
She alleged, “Ang pinakamatindi po talaga bukod sa pagiging late niya ay late na ngang dumadating, hindi kami nakakapag-roll. Laging cause of delay.
"Ilang beses ko siyang nakita na nagpapa-make-up nang nakahiga. Nakaluhod ang kanyang make-up artist na si Noel.
“Kung minsan naman, meron siyang director’s chair at halos ibuyangyang na niya ang kaniyang ulo. Siyempre hirap pa rin ang kaniyang make-up artist.
“Humingi talaga ako ng permission na magsalita ako. Ang sabi ko talaga, nandon si Alex na nakahiga na akala mo bangkay na mine-make-up-an sa morgue.
"Sabi ko, 'Ano ito? Hindi ka naaawa sa make-up artist mo? Nakaluhod, binoblower ka?'"
Stage manager and social media manager John Mark Yap seemed to affirm Cristy Fermin's opinion of Alex as he related on Twitter a similar story involving a bit player namd Reb Atadero.
John posted on January 16, 2023, “As someone who has worked directly with this woman for her first film as a lead, I can personally say that this woman really has a bad attitude!
“Always the cause of delay in shooting. Almost everyone on set hated her. She was just nice to me because I had a high position.
“She was even very rude to @rebranger who did a small role in that film when they were at the tent!
"I’ll let Reb tell that story but I swear, she really has a bad attitude and everyone on set saw/experienced it.”
Reb backed up John’s account and wrote, “Short version: If you’re not a big-name star, she won’t even think of giving you basic respect.
“Even if you have a scene together, once the camera is not on her and she’s done throwing her lines, she will drop you and leave you hanging even before they yell ‘CUT’.”
Public relations executive KL Carpio related her own horror story on Twitter about the controversial vlogger-actress.
“So I've worked with the Gonzaga sisters twice already as a Production Designer. Rumors about Alex Gonzaga are real..."
He went on to narrate how Alex hissed and commanded him to hand her bag “like I was assistant, I have an assistant but I never ask for help like that.”
BLOWN OUT OF PROPORTION
Alex and Matteo Guidicelli became a trending topic after an incident on TV5’s noontime show Lunch Out Loud that was broadcast live on August 11, 2022.
In the said episode, Matteo, who is married to singer-actress Sarah Geronimo, called out Alex for constantly bringing up his ex-girlfriend Maja Salvador in her jokes.
He told Alex, “Pasensiya na po, may konting mensahe po ako sa mga 'Tropang LOL' especially sa iyo, Alex.
"Pinaniganipan ko ito kagabi, sabi ko sa sarili ko at nag-pray ako, 'Lex, tigilan na natin ang pagbiro natin sa mga asawa natin dahil... mga ex na iyan, e, tapos na iyan.”
“Maawa naman tayo kay Konsehal at sa asawa ko dahil kagabi umiyak na ako dahil sa iyo...”
Konsehal referred to Alex’s husband and Lipa City councilor Michael “Mikee” Morada.
Alex asked the actor, “Bakit ka umiyak sa akin, ano ang ginawa ko?”
Replied Matteo, “Dahil nasasaktan ako para sa asawa ko, tigilan na natin... Siyempre nai-stress din yung editor natin sa taas.”
The exchange went viral with many applauding Matteo for standing up for his wife and cautioning Alex to be more sensitive with her jokes.
But as the video continued to spread online, Matteo issued a clarification that the circulating clip of the show was incomplete and didn’t include the punchline.
“So, Tropang LOL, irespeto natin mga asawa natin at mag-usap na lang tayo tungkol sa,” said Matteo before turning to Alex to continue in jest, “…kuko mo!”
Matteo defended Alex against critics in an interview with News5 a day after the incident.
Explained Matteo, “There’s a lot of people that say negative things about her.
“I just want to clear the air and everything. Tropang LOL is an entertainment show and clips were coming out, naputol siya, without the punchline in the end, e... na let’s joke around your toenails, Alex.”
Lunch Out Loud host KC Montero also expressed his disappointment with the way the issue was blown out of proportion.
"So here’s the video in its entirety, clearly it was a joke from the beginning," said KC.
"It was a prank but unfortunately some edited the video. Meanwhile, Alex Gonzaga is being bashed..."
alex's gaffes
A typical exchange of barbs between her and her good friend, host-actor Luis Manzano, turned into another source of trouble for Alex.
At the 33rd Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) award ceremony on September 3, 2017, Alex, who was serving as host, threw a joke at Luis who just won the Darling of the Press award.
She asked him in jest, “Magkano mo nabili ang award mo?”
Luis answered back, feigning sarcasm, “180.”
The joke did not sit well with some PMPC members and those at the event.
As for Alex and Luis, they were just having their usual fun.
Her comment on model-actress Isabelle Daza’s Instagram post on April 9, 2018, was another of Alex's gaffes that drew the ire of some netizens.
Isabelle, who just gave birth to son Balthazar Gabriel, posted a photo taken several weeks when she was still pregnant.
She wrote, “Can’t believe that my son was in my belly 10 days ago?!?! I still had maternity content.”
To this, Alex commented, “Sana nagsuklay ka.”
Isabelle responded, “It’s the messy look. But you wouldn’t understand.”
Many of Isabelle’s followers jumped on the exchange, calling out Alex for being tactless and cynical.
Wrote one irate netizen, “You look gorgeously elegant whilst in the last period of pregnancy. My advice, eliminate this nonsense, no class nor good self-value individual sending you negative feedback.”
Isabelle herself came to Alex’s rescue, “To those everyone making this an issue… Please Google: the definition of a joke.”
Her post was accompanied by a screenshot of the comments section where Alex made the controversial remark for reference.
READ: Alex Gonzaga shows proof that Isabelle Daza is her close friend; explains online ribbing
Isabelle’s quick intervention saved Alex from further roasting by netizens, putting the controversy to rest once and for all.
ALEX'S APOLOGISTS
In September 2019, it was rumored that Alex snubbed Kapuso stars Rita Daniela and Ken Chan when they ran into one another at an airport in Davao.
According to the Instagram post of talent manager and entertainment columnist Lolit Solis, Rita and Ken excitedly approached Alex only to be ignored
Alex denied Lolit's allegation on Instagram, “Ayyy nanay lolit, di po tayo magkakilala pero sino po source nyo mukhang mali ata kasi nagkamayan at nag-hi pa po kami sa isa isa at lahat ng iba pang GMA artists sa lounge.
"Niretweet ko pa si ken noon dahil nagchambe chambe sya.
“Lastly Salamat po sa mga salita nyo tungkol sakin ah, heartwarming.”
Digging deeper into the story, PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) talked to Rita and Ken at the premiere of Kiko En Lala, the launching movie of comedian Super Tekla, on September 24, 2019, at the SM Megamall.
Both stressed that all was well between them and Alex.
Said Ken, “Hindi, sa totoo lang kasi, alam niyo naman may mga times talaga...
"Kahit hindi naman artista, may mga times talaga tayo na minsan down tayo or pagod, wala sa mood.
“So, siguro yung gabi na yun na nakaharap namin si Alex, e, na-misinterpret siguro kasi ang dami namin dun sa lounge, e, sa Davao.
“So, ang daming tao, so nakita nila yung pag-meet namin and natuwa yung mga tao.
“Kasi nag-meet ang GMA at saka Kapamilya, so natuwa yung mga tao.
“Then, siguro na-misinterpret ng mga tao, ng mga nakapaligid doon.... ganun yung pag-take nila dun sa sitwasyon na yun.”
Rita added, “Ako siguro, siyempre po, di ba, iba-iba naman po tayo ng personality and hindi naman po yun naging big deal talaga sa amin ni Ken.
“As in, the fact that we met her personally, because we’re a fan, that’s enough for us, you know.
“Iyon nga, kasi totoo talaga yun, hind mo maiiwasan na baka po siguro pagod po siya nung gabi na yun.
“Pero sana po, huwag na po nating gawin pang isyu o palakihin pa kasi hindi naman po dapat.”
Social media personality and singer Donnalyn Bartolome defended Alex in the wake of the controversy.
Donnalyn posted on Instagram, “Me and Alex don’t know each other personally.
"I love her personality and I wanted her to be a part of my music video [for] ‘Di Lahat’ to represent the skinny girls with me.
"I sent her a DM and, to my surprise, she replied ‘Hello!! No problem!! Go!!’ [and] ‘Wuhooo!! Congrats in advance and gave me her RM’s [road manager] number to coordinate."
She went on to share that Alex showed up at the shoot with a swollen face following an emergency wisdom tooth extraction.
Continued Donnalyn, “It would have been understandable if she cancelled. We were just waiting for her RM to say it. BUT NO. She insisted to be there,
"I witnessed her swollen face and you can see sa mata niya she’s not feeling well but she made sure she made me feel like I wasn’t a bother.
"Siya pa ang apologetic! Jusko po ang humble. Sino ba ako? No teleseryes, different management, less following, she had nothing to gain!
"Can’t thank you enough [Alex]! She didn't even accept her token for her appearance and we know how valuable her time is.
"Kindhearted people are often misunderstood, but we should realize people only understand from their level of perception and they deserve no explanation."
And so it goes, love her or hate her, Alex Gonzaga lives to tell her jokes, if not for another day of controversy.