Like most cases in local showbiz, the verbal tussle between Heart Evangelista and Cristine Reyes was relegated to classic misunderstanding, this Cristine found out through Manila Bulletin last Thursday at the press conference for Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry “Ang Darling Kong Aswang” in Quezon City. Heart, meanwhile, is part of another MMFF film “Mano Po 6: A Mother’s Love.”

In separate interviews by the Bulletin, Heart was made to recall how come Dennis Trillo did not pursue her anymore and she was made to mention the incident involving one text message that Heart refused to disclose in detail as it was a thing of the past. The text (that allegedly came from Cristine), the media presumed, warned Heart to stay away from Dennis. At that time, Cristine was the actor’s on-again-off-again girlfriend.

But like what Heart said at the “Mano Po” event at Imperial Palace in Quezon City, she received the text message several months back and not recently as reported in certain news items (not from the Manila Bulletin). Heart clearly told the Bulletin before she joined the other cast members of “Mano Po,” “It was just one text. Hindi naman ako nainis kasi I too have been in love and I know how love can make us do stupid things sometimes. But that was then. Matagal na yun.”

Heart sincerely added, “In fact I’m willing to make friends with her (Cristine) because we’re in such a small business at para na rin makilala niya ako ng mabuti. I would love to do a project with her para mas magkakilala kami.”

The actress hailed for playing the best role of her career as Sharon Cuneta’s prodigal daughter in “Mano Po 6” also said that Cristine already made peace with her when Vic Sotto’s leading lady (for “Ang darling Kong Aswang”) talked with entertainment columnist Jun Lalin, who is also close to Heart. “Hindi siya (Cristine) nagtext sa akin ng direcho but it was Jun who talked to her and okay na, wala ng problema.”

The words that Cristine heard told a different, untrue twist. She was later asked at the “Ang Darling Kong Aswang” to react on alleged accusations supposedly coming from Heart about a “barrage of texts” harassing the “Mano Po” actress.

To this, Cristine naturally spoke a mouthful: “Wala akong time para gumawa ng mga bagay na ganoon lalung-lalo na para mag-aksaya ako ng oras para mag-text sa kahit na kaninong tao para buwisitin lang ang mga ito. Hindi rin maganda na magpa-Pasko mayroon pang mga ganyang issue. Ang labo lang. Bakit ko naman gagawin ‘yon? Bakit ako pa sa lahat ng tao, ako pa ang pagbibintangan?’’

She added, “Ang tagal, tagal na nun na parang pinapalabas na hindi ako maka-recover sa isang lalaki (Dennis) eh ang tagal nang tapos nun at nag-move on na ako. Hindi ko siya (Heart) tine-text recently. Bago ang number ko kaya imposibleng i-text ko siya.”

The Bulletin related then to Cristine that Heart never said there was a series of harassing messages and that Heart even welcomes a possible friendship with Cristine to which the latter immediately acknowledged. “Kasi naman minsan napapag-away ang mga artista kahit okay naman na kami. Okay kami ni Heart. Yun lang talaga biglang may mga gulo na matagal na tapos binabalik pa. Basta okay na kami.”

Cristine and Heart went through the eye of showbiz storm because they are currently promoting their respective MMFF films, “Ang Darling Kong Aswang” for Cristine and “Mano Po 6: A Mother’s Love” for Heart.

Ironically, their movies will not directly clash at the Christmas tills because “Ang Darling Kong Aswang” is a horror-comedy with Vic Sotto leading the cast while “Mano Po 6” is a family drama.

Cristine’s professionalism reaped praises from the next Comedy King Vic Sotto himself while Heart’s acting showdown opposite Sharon Cuneta earned much recognition from the megastar.

“Mano Po 6: A Mother’s Love” also stars Zsa Zsa Padilla, Christopher de Leon, Boots Anson-Roa, Ciara Sotto and Dennis Trillo among others. The plot centers on Melinda (Sharon) who worked her way to fame and fortune to get her children back from her discriminating sister-in-law Olivia (Zsa Zsa).

Both films open on Christmas day.