Netizens couldn’t hide their disappointment after they saw the Philippine National Artist for Film Ricky Lee being distanced by a security guard from Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach.
In a video taken at the Manila International Book Fair in Pasay City on September 14, 2023, it was shown that Ricky was trying to reach the hand of Pia, but one of the security personnel of the beauty queen was seen trying to block the national artist.
In an interview with Pep.ph, Ricky spoke about the said incident, saying that the guard should become more respectful with the people who were trying to get near Pia.
“Hindi kinakailangan na senior or hindi kinakailangang National Artist. Pero kung may taong nilapitan din ni Pia, kinamayan pa ni Pia, respetuhin niya [guard] yung tao at si Pia, kasi kilala ni Pia,” said Ricky.
“Pero hindi niya kailangang hawiin kasi si Pia mismo ang lumapit at nakipag-usap. So, kawalang respeto yon hindi lang sa akin kundi kay Pia. Hindi in-acknowledge ng guard na in-acknowledge ako ni Pia,” he added.
However, Ricky said that he only realized that he was being disrespected when his friends showed him the video.
“Maging makatao sana lalo na sa isang book fair. Hindi lang siya kung saan, book fair siya,” he stated.
As of writing, the security agency handling the guard has yet to give a statement on the issue.