Showbiz 101

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

The Ranillo family is getting death threats as a result of the persistent rumors about Manny Pacquiao and Krista Ranillo.

The Ranillos made this revelation in a statement sent to ABS-CBN News.

They claimed that the death threats came from “some unknown individuals who are claiming that such inappropriate relationship exists.”

“All these death threats are continuing that is one of major reasons why the Ranillos have not returned to our country yet,” their legal counsel and spokesman, lawyer Tonisito Umali, told ABS-CBN North America News Bureau.

In the statement, signed by Krista’s father, veteran actor Mat Ranillo III, the family also categorically denied any inappropriate relationship between Pacquiao and Krista.

“Our family is deeply saddened by the continuing negative publicity being hurled upon us as a result of the alleged inappropriate relationship of Ms. Krista Ranillo with Mr. Manny Pacquiao,” the statement read.

“We thought that our silence will stop all these lies being peddled in the Philippine media by some unscrupulous people,” it said.

Umali also said: “There is absolutely no inappropriate relationship that existed, that is existing between Mr. Manny Pacquiao and Ms Krista Ranillo.”

The Ranillo family also appealed to the media “to exercise balance, fairness and accuracy in their reporting.”

Actions

According to the official statement of the Ranillos, Umali is now studying whether television shows, news programs and major newspapers violated the rights of the Ranillos in reporting the alleged illicit affair.

The lawyer is also studying the “derogatory and untruthful comments made by Ms Gina Alajar in her Facebook (and published in major newspapers and shown in major TV shows) and other media personalities to determine whether such comments are considered unprotected speech or libelous.”

“Pinag-aaralan kong mabuti kung ano ang pananagutan ni Ms Gina Alajar.... very, very defamatory, very, very libelous,” Umali echoed.

When sought for comment, Alajar maintained: "I can say anything and everyting in my profile. Nobody can stop me."

Weeks ago, Alajar, a television and movie actress, wrote a controversial shout out in her Facebook account in connection with the alleged affair between Pacquiao and Krista.

It generated various reactions, but Alajar said she was standing by what she wrote. In her interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, she maintained that “it was just unsolicited advice from me to Jinkee.”

Meanwhile, the Ranillos said they will not issue any further statement “so as not to jeopardize our attorney’s efforts to study the legal implications of this negative publicity to our individual rights.”

‘Krista hurting’

According to Krista’s manager, Arnold Vegafria, the young actress is terribly hurt by the unfair accusations hurled against her.

In his interview with ABS-CBN News, Vegafria reiterated that contrary to rumors, Krista and Pacquiao are just friends. The talent manager added that the two got close while filming their movie “Wapakman.”

Vegafria also shot down speculations that Krista received P200 million from Pacquiao.

“Wala raw binibigay si Manny sa kanya... kahit balato. They are just friends. In-invite lang daw sila doon ng mga kaibigan to watch the fight... Mainit ang isyu kaya hindi na lang sila nanood ng fight,” he said.

Krista flew to Las Vegas reportedly to watch the fight between Pacquiao and Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto.

Vegafria also declined to comment on photos of Pacquiao and Krista together in Baguio City, saying he has yet to see these pictures.

The talent manager said Krista was in Baguio City to work and it was just a coincidence that Pacquiao was also there for his training.

He confirmed that the entire Ranillo family is saddened by the issue. He added that Krista is not yet ready to face the public because she is still hurting.

Vegafria also defended his ward. “Mabait na bata ‘yon. Matalino at alam niya ang ginagawa niya.”

He also assured that Krista will fly back to the country “soon.”

When asked to give a message to Krista, he said: “Just relax, take it easy. In every problem, there’s always a solution.”

He also praised Pacquiao for apologizing to the Ranillos and denying the alleged affair.