Kapuso actor Rob Gomez faced controversy after allegedly being linked to his ‘Magandang Dilag’ co-stars, Herlene Budol and Bianca Manalo.

Despite the gravity of the issue, many netizens didn’t know who Rob was, and there was a possible reason for that: he didn’t use the last name that his family was known for in showbiz.

Despite being part of the Ejercito-Estrada family, Rob chose to use Gomez as his last name because he wanted to make his name in showbiz.

Rob was the son of former actress Kate Gomez, sister of actor Gary Estrada, and grandson of George Estregan Sr.

George was dubbed as the king of mature films in the country.

According to him, he felt that he couldn’t carry the name Ejercito-Estrada in showbiz.

“I think I will not and I cannot live up to their names, lalo na him [George]. He’s a very, very great actor. Sobrang galing po. Ibang klase po. Kinikilabutan ako. Hindi ko po siya nakilala, e,” said Rob.

“It would be more striking if I use Estrada, pero meron na po tayong Joseph at Gary Estrada, at may Kiko Estrada pa na napakagaling na aktor. Kaso nga lang po, na-realize namin na my mom’s a great actress, too, and I would love to start my own journey,” he added.

Currently, Rob is famous on social media due to the current issue he is facing and his rocky relationship with his partner, Shaila Rebortera.

Senator Win Gatchalian was not convinced that his partner, Bianca Manalo, was cheating on him.

In his Instagram post, the lawmaker expressed his love and support for Bianca.

He even called the photos showing the conversation between Bianca and her co-actor Rob Gomez fake.

“[Bianca] and I share the same values and principles in life. No fake news will divide us apart,” he said.

However, some netizens asked Gatchalian to be more open-minded as the leak conversation was a big indicator that there was something wrong happening.

Some even said that the lawmaker was ‘blinded’ by his love.

It can be recalled that Rob didn’t intentionally upload the said photos, and someone only took his phone without his consent.

“Worse is that the person who took my phone posted pictures of mine in my own social media account pretending that I posted it with the intention of destroying my reputation. The videos as shown were among my friends and co-stars who was trying to cheer me up when I was going through a lot of hurdles in my life,” Rob said.

Bianca in her statement also explained that she only asked Rob to visit her personally as she would receive a gift from the actor.

 

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Pokwang couldn’t hide her happiness after she won the deportation case she filed against her ex-boyfriend, Lee O’Brian.

In her official statement, Pokwang said that the decision released by the Bureau of Immigration against Lee was an answered prayer for her and for Malia.

She also thanked the people who supported her during her legal battle.

“Nagpapasalamat ako una sa Panginoon dahil pinakinggan niya ang aking mga dasal na magkaroon ng hustisya ang nangyari sa akin at sa aking anak. Lubos din akong nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng aking mga kaibigan at taga suporta na sinamahan ako sa bahagi na ito ng buhay ko,” said Pokwang.

“Hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan ang lahat ng taong tumulong sa amin ni Malia. Ngayon, lalo kong susubukan na maging mahusay na ina at ama sa aking anak. Lalo pa akong magsisikap sa araw-araw para maitaguyod ko ang aking pamilya,” she added.

It can be recalled that Pokwang filed the said deportation case against Lee several weeks after she revealed that her ex-boyfriend was dating another woman.

On December 23, BI ordered Lee to leave the country immediately and he was also included in the blacklist of the agency.

It means that Lee cannot visit the country again permanently.

Xian Lim and Kim Chiu’s fans couldn’t hide their sadness after talent manager and showbiz reporter Ogie Diaz reported that the celebrity couple had already decided to part ways after 12 years.

In his online program, Ogie said that a trusted source confirmed that Xian and Kim already separated, not because of a third party but because of the lack of plans from the actor.

According to Ogie, Kim already noticed that Xian was not planning for the future of their relationship.

“A friend of mine and a friend of Xian and Kim Chiu told me na totoong hiwalay na [sina] Kim Chiu at Xian Lim. ‘Di lang maamin ni Kim Chiu kasi nga pinoproseso pa ni Kim Chiu, at si Xian Lim din,” said Ogie.

“Sabi sa akin ng friend ko wala naman daw third party. It’s just that parang walang plano si Xian sa kanilang 12 years na relationship. Parang hindi niya priority. Parang naghihintay lang si Kim Chiu ng proposal. 12 years na sila eh,” he added.

The two started dating in 2012 but only admitted their relationship to the public in 2018.

They’re only one year longer than the relationship of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, who also just recently broke up this year.

On December 23, Kim admitted that she already ended their 12-year relationship.

“We owe our supporters the truth, but we also respect each other’s time of healing. In a relationship, love is always a significant factor, but sometimes love is not enough,” said Chiu. “We shared more than a decade of love, each other’s support system, and many beautiful memories,” said Kim.

“It was our mutual decision to transition our relationship into what we hope to be a lifelong friendship. We thank all our followers for their love and support, but now we ask you to appreciate our honesty and give us the privacy we need as we begin new chapters of our lives. To all our supporters, maraming salamat for all the love and understanding,” she added.

Marietta Subong, popularly known as ‘Pokwang,’ won the deportation case she filed against her former partner, Lee O’Brian.

According to the eight-page resolution released by the Bureau of Immigration on December 12, the agency included Lee in their blacklist, and he’s not allowed to go back to the country anymore.

They explained that the American actor worked in a different company, which was different from what he declared in his work visa.

BI ordered Lee to be deported from the country immediately.

It can be recalled that Pokwang filed the said complaint after she found her former partner dating another woman.

“Undesirable aliens have no place in this country. With this case we are pursuing, we are putting a stop to the gross manipulation of Philippine Immigration laws,” Atty. Ralph Calinisan, Pokwang’s legal counsel, said,

Pokwang also said that she couldn’t move on unless Lee finally left the country.

“Hindi ganoon kadali. Kapag wala na siya sa Pilipinas, ‘yan ang super move on ko na talaga. Sa ngayon hindi pa. Ayokong i-share ang hangin ng Pilipinas sa kaniya, hindi niya deserve,” said Pokwang.

As of writing, Pokwang and Lee have yet to release their own statement following BI’s decision.

Senator Win Gatchalian made a very short answer about his reaction to the controversy being faced by his partner Bianca Manalo.

It can be recalled that Bianca’s private conversation with her ‘Magandang Dilag’ co-star Rob Manalo was uploaded on social media.

The conversation showed how Bianca asked the Kapuso actor to visit her and even him that ‘someone’ was not around at that time.

In an interview, the lawmaker was all smiles when he answered the question from the media about Bianca.

“No comment,” he said.

Some netizens reacted to Gatchalian’s short comment.

They also noticed that while the lawmaker was smiling, his eyes showed a different thing.

“Gentleman Sen. Win. for choosing not to speak. Nasaktan but di mananakit physical man or verbal. Saludo ako sau,” netizen Clang said.

“Napakabait ni sir..hindi niya deserve masaktan.haissttt..makikita sa mata ni sir,” netizen Aj commented.

“Nakakaawa naman.. Kita sa mata nya yung lungkot,” netizen El Cid remarked.

Meanwhile, Bianca already released an official statement, denying that she had an affair with her co-actor.

She explained that she only asked Rob to visit her so she could personally receive the gift that the actor prepared for her.

However, many netizens didn’t believe Bianca’s explanation and challenged her to release the full record of their conversation.

Miss Millenial 2018, Dr. Shaila Rebortera met with her lawyers amid the issue being faced by her partner, Rob Gomez.

In a Facebook post. Atty. Alex Avisado Jr. of Gana Atienza Avisado Law Offices shared his meeting with Shaila.

“Meet Dr. Shaila Rebortera, the woman caught in the middle of this viral infidelity issue. Welcome to GAA Law! May the truth prevail,” Atty. Avisado said.

It’s not yet known why Shaila visited the said law office.

However, Atty. Avisado said that he was willing to help Shaila with her problems.

“You know we have a soft spot sa mga inaapi,” the lawyer stated.

Netizens also expressed their support for Shaila.

“Top caliber lawyers of GAA Law. Definitely, she will receive the best legal service from Atty Alex Avisado Jr and team,” netizen Randy Escolongo said.

“She’s in good hands with GAA Law brother,” netizen All commented.

“Go Doc Shaila Rebortera, you’re in competent hands, laban lang!” netizen Osang remarked.

It can be recalled that Shaila was suspected of uploading the private conversation of her partner with other women, including Herlene Budol, Bianca Manalo, and Pearl Gonzales.

Meanwhile, Herlene said she might file charges against the individual who uploaded her private convo with the actor.

Kapuso actress Herlene ‘Hipon Girl’ Budol talked about the possibility of filing charges against the uploader of the conversation between her and actor Rob Gomez.

In her official statement, Herlene expressed her disappointment as she was dragged over the issue of Rob and his girlfriend, Shaila Rebortera.

“Yung tahimik lang ako at kaliwa’t kanan babad ako sa taping. Yung di ako maka focus sa trabaho dahil sa issue ng mag jowa na may anak. Tapos malalaman ko nakaladkad na lang pangalan ko at binabash ako na wala naman ako ginagawa,” she said.

Herlene insisted that she was only trying to be playful with Rob’s messages to her, but it doesn’t mean that she had an affair with the actor.

“Opo, squammy man ako sa paningin nyo. Hindi ako hayop sa laman. Produkto [man] ako ng broken family. Pinalaki ako ng lolo at lola ko ng maayos,” she stated.

The actress then explained that she was only trying to remember her lines with Rob, and exchanging chats with the actor was one of her methods to memorize it quickly.

“Yung batuhan ng mga script para pang kabisado sa mga linyahan ay nahaluan ng mga joke at one liner tulad ng salitang “Kain” ganyan na agad ang tingin nyo sa akin. Sumakay lang ako sa mga joke dahil komedyante ako kahit alam ko na fini-flirt ako,” she said.

“Pero hindi ako ganung babae sa mga babatikos sa akin. FYI naka dalawang National pageant na ako amrami nag propose ng idecent proposal sa akin ng malaking halaga. Pero inisip ko nasa maayos naman karera ko at gusto ko pinaghihirapan hindi ‘yung one time, big time,” she added.

She also mulled charges against the individual who uploaded the said photos on social media.

It can be recalled that aside from her ‘kain’ jokes with Rob, she also allegedly shared her worries of her possible pregnancy.

As of writing, Rob has yet to give any statement on the issue.

Sarah Lahbati’s mother, Esther Lahbati, went viral on social media after she posted her date with her husband, Abdel Lahbati, at a posh restaurant in the Bonifacio Global City on December 15, 2023.

In the said photos, Esther flexed the food they ordered while proclaiming that she enjoyed using her own money.

“#Lunch at BGC we’re happy spending the good time and spending my pension from Switzerland our 2nd home, enjoying the rest of our life,” said Esther.

“Life is very short. Have a nice weekend everyone. Take Care Always and God Bless!” she added.

Netizens couldn’t stop themselves from reacting to the caption of Esther and speculated that she was taking a swipe against Annabelle Rama.

It can be recalled that Annabelle complained about how Sarah was allegedly spending too much money as a housewife.

 

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Esther also responded to some of her followers’ comments.

Annabelle and Esther already clashed in the past after the latter claimed that she didn’t receive good treatment during the first birthday of her grandson, Zion.

She even said that Annabelle offered her leftover food.

Meanwhile, the talent manager insisted that it was only normal in the Philippine culture to offer leftover food to visitors.