MANY were shocked when the news broke out that dancer/actor and TV host Vhong Navarro was beaten up by a group of men in a condo in Fort Bonifacio, Makati. It became more real when Vhong’s black and blue image splashed all over the papers and online.
Through initial reports and the rumor mill, it was found out that the It’s Showtime co-host went to the Makati condo upon the invitation of a certain Deniece Cornejo. When he got there, he was assaulted by a group of men led by businessman Cedric Lee.
Of course, the whole story wasn’t that simple, and as the days went by the plot thickens with twists and turns.
Deniece, the girl who cried “rape,” was unknown to many before. Although a model and a bit player in some teleseryes, she claimed in her social media accounts that she is the granddaughter of GMA 7 big boss Rod Cornejo.
Cedric—although not an actor or a model—has been popular in the showbiz circle due to his involvements with actresses. In the past, he was involved in a relationship with sexy star Patricia Javier. Patricia, who couldn’t bear to continue her affair with a married man, broke up with Cedric and moved on. (The sexy actress is now based in Los Angeles, married to a doctor and has two sons).
Aside from Patricia, singer and actress Vina Morales was very open about her relationship with Cedric, and even had a daughter, Ceana. Because Vina’s name has been mentioned in the incident many times just because of her past association with the businessman, the actress has recently released a statement about her plea to the public and media from dragging her in the issue. It said:
“We refer to the recent news article and video clips whereby the good name of our client, Miss Vina Morales, has been unnecessarily mentioned relative to the controversy surrounding the Vhong Navarro-Cedric Lee incident.
“For the record, contrary to what has been aired or written, our Firm maintains and so holds that the news tidbits with reference to the infliction of the physical violence at any given time to her person by Mr. Lee is purely fictional, conjectural and speculative.
“Reports had it likewise about supposed involvement of PNP officers in the loop regarding the alleged PNP personnel assigned to Mr. Lee. Our position is that should there be any breach of protocols, we believe that the PNP hierarchy would be able to address these concerns as their established systems provide.
“Miss Morales has already exercised her rights through our Firm by instituting legal recourse which is of public knowledge and record.
“Toward this end, we appeal to everyone and sundry, to spare our client, especially the young and innocent Ceana from negative, undue and unjust publicity both don’t deserve.
“The Navarro-Lee affair is beyond Miss Morales. Let us endeavor to give her peace.”
The incident also has been a case of “he said-she said.” Vhong insists that he was invited by Deniece and that they even had intimate relations. The girl on the other hand claims to have been raped by the actor, and Cedric only came into the picture to protect Deniece.
Many questions are still left unanswered, and we bet that there will be people involved in this drama. Let’s just hope that whoever is telling the truth gets the justice he—or she—deserve.
***
The Queen of All Media Kris Aquino and the master of talk Boy Abunda are back together in a new show on ABS-CBN 2!
Kris recently shared on her Instagram account a photo of her pictorial with Boy for their show, Aquino & Abunda Tonight, which will premiere on February 10 following the teleserye The Legal Wife.
Boy and Kris have a long history together—not just as friends, but also as colleagues in the industry. They started hosting together on GMA 7’s showbiz talk show, Startalk with Lolit Solis and then transferred to ABS-CBN 2 to host The Buzz.
In 2007, Kris left The Buzz after giving birth to second son Bimby, but reunited with Boy the same year for the morning show Boy and Kris.
In 2008, Kris went back to The Buzz but left again to avoid the intrigues plaguing her during her brother’s run for the presidency.
At present, Kris is seen on KrisTV.
***
Our condolences to Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid and her family for the recent passing of her father, Gerardo “Mang” Gerry Velasquez, last February 2.
Regine was at a press conference for her Valentine’s Day concert, Voices of Love when she got the news. Although she did not say anything, she quickly left after the event and just posted her father’s death on Instagram. She wrote, “The leader of the band, Mang Gerry, joined his Creator 1:39pm today (Feb. 3). Thank you for praying for him during all these time that he has been fighting for his life. God bless you all.”
The patriarch has been a solid fixture not only in Regine’s personal life, but her professional life as well. He was the foundation and strength in the singer’s rose to stardom. He trained Regine in her youth, including immersing her in water to build the power in her lungs and diaphragm.
Mang Gerry is survived by his wife Teresita Velasquez and Regine’s siblings, their spouses and his grandchildren.
