The most talked-about PH showbiz controversy of 2019
31 Dec – 2019 has been a year of drama when it comes to the Filipino showbiz, with breakups, marriages, conspiracies and deaths swirling the entertainment industry throughout the year.
Here are some of the scandals that made headlines this year:
1. The Barrettos' Bad Blood
The relationship between sisters Gretchen, Marjorie, and Claudine has always had its ups and downs for the past 15 years, but it all came to a head at the wake of the family patriarch, Miguel Alvir Barretto, back in October.
Although details have been conflicting, the basis of the story is this: President Rodrigo Duterte, who was at the wake, reportedly asked Gretchen to shake hands with her sister Marjorie, but the latter refused to do so. Gretchen later accused Marjorie of being the reason for Claudine's hospitalisation. Marjorie hits back, saying that she will come out with the truth soon, while Gretchen responded by alleging the former of having a relationship with former Caloocan mayor Recom Echiverri, and that the latter supposedly sexually harassed Claudine in the past.
In short, sibling stuff.
2. The Bea-Gerald-Julia Triangle
A year after they nearly broke up due to what was deemed as a misunderstanding concerning Anderson's friendship with Pia Wurtzbach, Bea Alonzo sparked speculations of a breakup with Gerald Anderson again when she posted an ambiguous post on Instagram that read, "You can't make the same mistake twice, the second time you make it, it's not a mistake anymore, it's a choice. ENOUGH."
Although the actress made no further explanation about the issue, rumours started to swirl that Anderson was cheating on her with his "Between Maybes" co-star Julia Barretto, who had also ended her alleged romance with onscreen partner Joshua Garcia much earlier, as they were also spotted attending Rayver Cruz's birthday party together. Anderson and Barretto immediately denied the rumours with the actor claiming there were always two sides to every story, while Alonzo only told the media that the actor "ghosted" her.
The two are no longer together.
3. The End of CarGel
Fans rejoiced when Angelica Panganiban and former onscreen and off-screen partner Carlo Aquino reunited last year and even had a box office movie together. Many thought that third time's a charm, except that in January, the actress revealed that her relationship with Aquino is ruined due to bashers, particularly Aquino's fans, who kept insulting her on social media.
It was later revealed that Aquino had been seen on a beach holiday with another woman, which was later revealed to be model Trina Candaza. The two admitted to be dating months later. Aquino expressing his apology towards Panganiban for leading her on, while the actress is adamant that she will not work with the actor again in the future.
It is noted that the couple dated and broke up twice in the past 20 years of their showbiz career.
4. The Tragic Death of Thespian Eddie Garcia
Garcia was rushed to Mary Johnson Hospital in Tondo, Manila, in early June after tripping on a cable wire and hitting his head on the pavement during a shoot for his new Kapuso series, "Rosang Agimat". He was transferred to the ICU at the Makati Medical Center the following day.
Although it was initially reported that he suffered a heart attack, it was later revealed that the 90-year-old actor suffered a neck and cervical fracture due to the fall. The fracture left him in a coma, and on 15 June, his family agreed to place him on "do-not-resuscitate" status. He was pronounced dead on 20 June. His wake was held at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig. He was 90.
On 23 December, the Department of Labor and Employment fined GMA Network an amount of P890,000 because of the incident. The network had since submitted an appeal.
5. President Duterte vs ABS-CBN
It all started in 2016, when then presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte accused ABS-CBN of refusing to air his presidential campaign on the network.
Following his victory, the president threatened to block the network's franchise renewal, accusing ABS-CBN of unfair reporting and supposedly taking his advertising money but failing to run his ads.
The president has already voiced his threats four times, including the latest during a speech in Cotabato, saying that the owner should just sell the network as it will never be renewed as soon as the franchise expires in March 2020. If that were to happen, the network will have to shut down operation, jeopardising hundreds of jobs.
(Photo Source: BusinessMirror)
