The Philippine Online Chronicles

Philippine showbiz was highlighted by shocking deaths, controversial break-ups and sensational revelations. Here are the Filipino Celebrity Newsmakers of 2011.

Willie Revillame

TV host Willie Revillame was placed on the hot seat after the controversial Willing Willie segment last March 12, 2011. Revillame was accused by various sectors of “child abuse” after a 6-year old boy performed "macho dancing" as his talent in one of the show's segments. The TV host asked the boy to dance repeatedly. The teary-eyed minor continued to dance while Revillame laughed as he watched in the background.

The incident garnered negative reactions from the public including fellow celebrities. The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) suspended the program for thirty days.  After being off the air for more than a month, Revillame made a big comeback in the restructured TV show Wil Time Bigtime.

AJ Perez

On April 17, 2011, showbiz mourned the death of young actor AJ Perez or Antonello Joseph Sarte Perez in real life.  Perez together with his father, two road managers, a driver and an event marshal were on their way back to Manila after attending Dagupan City’s bangus festival.  The actor was sleeping in the van when it collided with a bus along McArthur Highway in Barangay San Julian, Tarlac. Perez was hit hard on his side. The 18-year old actor sustained multiple head injuries and was pronounced dead at 12:20 a.m.  His father and other companions survived.

Andi Eigenmann

On June 29, 2011, a tearful Jacklyn Jose appeared on TV Patrol.  In an exclusive interview with Mario Dumaual, Jose confirmed that her daughter, Andi Eigenmann was pregnant.  Jose refused to the name the father but firmly said that he was the first boyfriend of her daughter and he left after getting her pregnant.  The names of actor Albie Casiño and Jake Ejercito, son of former President Joseph Estrada by Laarni Enriquez were both linked to Eigenmann’s pregnancy.

Eigenmann later divulged in her blog that Casiño is the father of her baby. Casiño’s camp denied Eigenmann’s revelation and demanded for a DNA test. Eigenmann and her family stated that they will not perform a DNA test.  The actress' family said that they do not need Casiño to claim responsibility.

Eigenmann gave birth to a baby girl named Adriana Gabrielle Guck on November 23, 2011.

Ramgen Revilla

On October 29, 2011, young actor Ramgen Revilla was killed inside their house in BF Homes Parañaque. Ramgen was the son of former actor and Senator Ramon Revilla, Sr. and half-brother of Senator Bong Revilla, Jr.

Revilla’s death became sensationalized when the names of his siblings, Ramona, Ramon Joseph, and Gail came up during the investigation. Based on reports, “sibling rivalry” is pointed as a possible motive behind the murder of Revilla.  Genelyn Magsaysay, the mother of the slain Revilla, defended her children who are implicated in the murder. Magsaysay denounced the possibility of any of her children plotting murder against one of their siblings.

Revilla’s girlfriend, Janelle Manahan was present at the scene of the crime. She sustained gunshots on the face and shoulder. Manahan survived the gruesome ordeal.  Contrary to Magsaysay’s statement, Manahan confirmed sibling rivalry angle in Revilla’s murder.

The culprits are still at large and investigations are still ongoing.

Sharon Cuneta

Sharon Cuneta’s much talked about mega deal with TV5 filled showbiz headlines last November 2011. It was on that same month that Cuneta transferred from ABS-CBN, her home network for the past 24 years to TV5. Rumors quickly circulated that TV5 offered Cuneta P1-billion to make the big transfer.  There were speculations that the offer was simply too big for the Mega Star to decline.

Cuneta signed an exclusive 5 year contract with TV5 on November 22, 2011. Present during the signing were TV5 President and CEO Ray C. Espinosa, TV5 COO and EVP Roberto Barreiro and Viva Entertainment Big Boss Vic del Rosario. Cuneta is scheduled to begin working for TV5 in January 2012. Sharonians are excited about Cuneta’s screen reunion with ex-husband, Gabby Concepcion.  Cuneta confirmed this by announcing, “To all our fans, by March, the Sharon-Gabby movie will start shooting.” Cuneta is also set to do a daily show and a reality show next year.

KC Concepcion and Piolo Pascual

What started out like a fairy tale love story did not end in Happy Ever After but in tears.  The public witnessed Mega daughter, KC Concepcion cry her heart out during an exclusive interview with Boy Abunda in The Buzz last November 27, 2011.

Concepcion simply nodded when Abunda asked if she and singer-actor Piolo Pascual have gone separate ways. Concepcion confirmed their break-up but she did not give the definite reason why they parted ways.

The 26-year old actress vaguely said during the interview, “May mga hinahanap ako na basic lang na hahanapin ng isang babae sa isang boyfriend, sa isang lalaki.”

Concepcion said that she did not want to go into details because she did not want to destroy Pascual but she stressed that she tried everything to make their relationship work.  She even accepted that Pascual had a son out of wedlock.

When Abunda asked Concepcion if there is a third party, the actress chose not to answer the question. She said, “Ayokong sagutin, Tito Boy.”

The young actress pointed out that there are things that are simply hard to accept. Concepcion told Abunda,"May mga bagay na hindi ko na kayang lunukin, hindi ko na kaya yun tanggapin." She continued by saying, "Pero, masakit man sabihin, hindi ako yung...siguro nag-fail din ako dahil hindi ako yung kailangan niya sa buhay niya … or, hindi ako yung hinahanap niya sa buhay niya.” “And hindi...hindi ko mabigay sa kanya yung kailangan niya," Concepcion tearfully said.

After that interview, Pascual chose to keep mum about the situation.  The singer-actor became a target of gender speculations in various social media sites.

Mo Twister and Rhian Ramos

Mo Twister’s controversial video on the Internet went viral in December 2011. It leaked after the TV host left the country to live abroad.  The video entitled “RepairedMovie.mov” was uploaded by PrettyJenny55 on Youtube last November 28, 2011.  In the video, a tearful Mo Twister divulged what he and former girlfriend, actress Rhian Ramos went through in Singapore in mid part of 2010.

The video was recorded last July 28, 2010 inside a Singapore hotel.  Mo Twister appeared to be talking to himself and making an emotional account of what he called a “horrible day”.  He said he accompanied Ramos in a hospital in Singapore to get rid of their baby. He even showed a pregnancy test bearing a positive result.  Mo Twister cried several times as he expressed his deep sadness and regret for what happened.

Mo Twister denied allegations that he was behind the video uploading. He said that he erased the file on his computer before selling it. However, someone might have found a way to retrieve the deleted file without his consent.

The camp of Ramos is accusing Mo Twister of defying R.A. 9262 or Anti Violence Against Women. Ramos requested the court for temporary protection order prohibiting Mo Twister from releasing any further defamatory statements against her.

Ramos decided to take a break from work amid the hurtful accusations and public speculation.   She asked that she be replaced in the upcoming GMA project “The Beloved”. She is currently on leave from her TV shows “Manny Many Prizes” and “Party Pilipinas.”

Photos:  Compilation of screencaps from “News To Go - Willing Willie' gets one month suspension – 050411” c/o Youtube; “The sadgoodbye of Aj Perez” c/o Youtube; “Andi Eigenmann Nanganak Na. The Father Albie Casino, Hindi Welcome” c/o Youtube; “Ramgen Revilla” c/o Youtube; “The Buzz Nov. 27, 2011 (KC and Piolo Break Na?)” c/o Youtube; “Mo Twister GUILTY on Rhian Ramos ABORTION SCANDAL - FULL HQ VIDEO” c/o Youtube; “Kontrata ni Megastar Sharon Cuneta sa TV5, Aabot nga ba sa Isang Bilyong Piso?” c/o Youtube.