Last Friday morning, we got an early call from the beautiful news anchor of ANC and “Umagang Kay Ganda” Ginger Conejero supposedly asking us to give Claudine Barretto’s defense or her response in the wake of the recent development involving the fiasco between her and ABS-CBN actress Angelica Panganiban.

Ginger, who might have mistakenly thought that we were connected with Claudine’s management, said she would have wanted to incorporate Claudine’s statements with “Umagang Kay Ganda’s” news on the “final demand letter” sent to Claudine by Star Magic’s legal counsel Joji Alonzo asking for a retraction of all “the libelous and slanderous statements” reportedly issued against Angelica by Claudine.

Ginger said she wanted to get hold of anyone to speak for Claudine in the spirit of fair play.

As it is, the final demand letter, according to the lawyer, is warranted because of the alleged “false accusations and grave threats” that Claudine made against her client. We were also made to understand that if not met, Angelica’s camp will proceed to filing a case in court against Claudine.

Following is the full text of the final, demand letter:

Dear Ms. Barretto:

We are writing on behalf of our client, Ms. Angelica Panganiban.

Our client referred to us the matter of your making false accusations against her in print, television and internet media, as well as your acts of making grave threats against her life and well-being.

In particular, we have gathered that you posted on your Twitter Account about a traitor friend, who has allegedly been saying malicious things about you and your family. In a subsequent interview, you identified the person you were referring to in your "tweets" to be Ms. Panganiban.

You likewise accused Ms. Panganiban, in your other interviews, of spreading rumors that you are having an illicit affair with a certain Mr. Martin Castro and that Ms. Panganiban is out to ruin Mr. Derek Ramsay and Mr. Castro's friendship. You further accused Ms. Panganiban of spreading rumors that Mr. Castro is a drug-addict.

Contrary to your baseless accusations, our client has not done any of the things you have accused her of. She has not committed anything wrong, much less, maligned you or any member of your family. On the contrary, it is our client who is being maligned by your unfounded accusations. You have placed our client's reputation and good name in a bad light, in the eyes of the public. Your malicious statements have unduly exposed our client to public hatred and contempt and have caused derogatory feelings against her.

We have further gathered that on 8 August 2010, you called Ms. Panganiban and threatened her in this manner, "[P]apatayin kita. Wawasakin ko mukha mo. You don't deserve to live. Suntukan tayo ngayon na." You likewise conveyed this threat against the life of Ms. Panganiban to no less than Ms. Mariole Alberto, Head of Star Magic, when you said "Wawasakin ko ang mukha niya pag nagkita kami Tita."

Your threat against the life of our client, which was not made in jest, is a grave threat punishable under our penal laws.

Let this, therefore, serve as a FINAL DEMAND on you to immediately cease from making any more false accusations and damaging remarks against our client, and to stop threatening her life and well-being.

We likewise hereby demand a retraction from you of your libelous and slanderous statements, to correct the negative impression created in the minds of the people who have read or heard your statements against our client. Should you fail to do so within seven (7) days from receipt of this letter, we shall be constrained to take whatever legal action necessary to protect the interests of our client.
We trust that this merits your preferential attention.

Very truly yours,

Atty. Joji Alonso

• • •
Publicity stunt gone awry

We caught on the GMA news a few nights back the supposedly touching “act” of beauty queen Krista Kleiner (formerly Krissa Mae Arrieta) offering flowers at the site of the infamous hostage-taking incident at the Quirino Grandstand recently.

Kleiner, accompanied by TV reporters, proceeded straight to Quirino Grandstand from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), walked on the site like she was walking on a ramp except that her face was very sad, knelt on the ground, supposedly said a prayer (for what we don’t know), offered a bouquet of flowers (bought by her boyfriend Jay-R, we were told later), and CRIED while being interviewed again.

We were so puzzled by Krista’s reactions that we asked around whether Krista actually had relatives from among the victims of the hostage-taking, to warrant that much display of emotion. There has to be a proper explanation for something as bizarre as that news clip.

The whole scene that was played out was just too contrite. C’mon, every Filipino around the world personally feels the brunt of that unfortunately stupid hostage tragedy. We all feel strongly – angry or embarrassed or sorry – for what happened. But we all know that we don’t have to add drama to it to be one with the nation.

Kleiner’s dramatization was just too much. If indeed, there was goodwill behind Kleiner’s actions, those were undoubtedly lost in translation.

What we clearly saw that afternoon was a publicity stunt gone awry.

• • •
Cesar Montano on the cover of FHM this month

For the second time around, FHM published an issue for its second macho man cover – actor-director and TV host Cesar Montano.

FHM calls Cesar an “icon’s icon” and Editor-in-Chief Allan Madrilejos explains why, “Kahanga-hanga ang lalaking nakatindig pa rin matapos ang mabigat na mga karanasan. You can see in Cesar that he still has a very positive outlook despite everything that he’s been through. That’s what makes him a real man.”

Cesar, refusing to dwell on the failures simply says, “When I fail at challenges, I take it positively. I don’t let failure define me. Nadapa ka lang, nasugatan, bangon ulit. I should show the world I am above failure.”

Cesar talks to FHM this month about his fondly remembered childhood, his GMA primetime fantaserye “Ilumina” on GMA7, and his plans of continuing his stalled Hollywood career.

FHM Collections first came out with a male cover last year in the person of action star Robin Padilla.

The FHM September issue also features 10 Pinoy Men of Style which include TV host and news anchor Paolo Bediones, pedigreed actor Sid Lucero, boxer Nonito Donaire Jr. and Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero among others.

Grab a copy of FHM Collections this September featuring Cesar Montano on the cover of FHM Collections and beauty queen Bianca Manalo on the flip cover. For more of FHM online, visit www.FHM.com.ph and become a fan of FHM on Facebook (facebook.com/FHM.ph.) FHM is also now available in e-magazine format for your iPads, Kindles, and other e-readers! Find out how to get the FHM e-magazine at www.fhmdigital.com.ph.