John Lloyd Cruz

Is it true that John Lloyd Cruz was slightly pissed off by a Star Cinema representative's explanation that he did not make it to the 26th Star Awards for Movies last April 24 because he was indisposed?

According to a source, the real reason John Lloyd was not able to accept his Movie Actor of the Year trophy from the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) was his opting to attend an important family gathering.

The source recounted that a few hours before the ceremony, a guy from the actor’s camp asked a PMPC member what time John Lloyd was needed at the venue. He was told that he should arrive at 9 p.m.

However, as the program progressed and when it became clear the actor would not come, his camp called on a PMPC member and declared the actor is down with fever.

John Lloyd's absence at the awarding ceremony fueled talk that he was avoiding Ruffa Gutierrez, one of the hosts that night. The two were romantically linked, but they have maintained that they are simply friends.

When a group of entertainment writers ribbed Ruffa about Lloydie's no show at the Star Awards a day after it was held, Ruffa said, "Alam mo, mahirap naman for me to presume that. Mahirap naman for me to presume anything. You know, ang sinabi ng tumanggap ng award, may sakit siya. I don't think there's an issue naman, e. I was there because I was doing my job."

Lloydie won the Movie Actor of the Year that night for his role as a gay man in “In My Life.” It was the first time he was nominated by the PMPC Star Awards for Movies in the category.

“In My Life” romped away with the major awards that evening, including Movie Actress of the Year for Vilma Santos and Movie Supporting Actor of the Year for Luis Manzano.