At the media conference for ‘Battle of the Judges’ last July 9, Alden Richards shared his views on the controversial guesting of Sharon Cuneta on ‘E.A.T.’ and defended her from critics.
Megastar Sharon Cuneta created buzz online when he teased Richards and Maine Mendoza during her ‘E.A.T.’ guesting last July 1.
In the episode, she congratulated Mendoza for accomplishing the ‘pamamanhikan’ tradition with soon-to-be husband Arjo Atayde. The veteran actress followed her remarks and talked about her shooting for an upcoming movie with Richards.
“Nagsho-shooting ako ngayon, may kasama ako. Yung anak kong bago, yung bago kong son. Ang pangalan niya Alden,” Cuneta said which earned varying reactions from the hosts and audience. Mendoza politely congratulated the star for her upcoming movie.
She gave Richards a shoutout and mentioned Mendoza, “Hi Alden, nandito si Maine.”
This interaction did not sit well with the netizens, calling the megastar disrespectful of Mendoza and Atayde who will soon be newlyweds.
Mendoza and Richards used to be the phenomenal AlDub whose popularity started on the ‘Kalyeserye’ segment of the original ‘Eat Bulaga!’ The two stars went on to focus on their solo careers in 2018 after doing projects together as a loveteam.
Richards defended Cuneta, saying that the actress meant no harm and did not intend to disrespect the couple.
“Hindi ko po alam kung pano rin kase naintindihan ng mga manonood yung delivery ni Ms. Sharon, but I think she meant well. Siguro po kung feeling ng iba na nabastos, in a way, si Arjo and Maine dahil ikakasal, siguro naman po hindi yun ang intention ni Ms. Sharon. Sana po wag naman nating husgahan agad.”
He further argued that the megastar’s remarks were due to her excitement for reuniting with TVJ on their noontime show and for being a fan of his pairing with Mendoza.
“Of course, we pay respect to the couple kase nga po ikakasal na sila. Siguro na-excite lang din si Ms. Sharon during that time, si Mama during that time kase nga first balik nya sa Eat Bulaga! after that time and siguro nakukwento rin po niya kase sa’kin na fan po s’ya ng AlDub before. So feeling ko po it’s out of excitement and sana po wag lang po masyadong personalin.”
The actor also said that Cuneta’s guesting on the show was not meant to create any issue.
“Wala pong isyu na gustong simulan yung pag-guest po ni Mama (Sharon Cuneta) dun. I-forgive lang natin yung situation, wag masyadong harsh.”
Cuneta and Richards are working on a movie together, playing mother and son in Nuel Naval’s ‘A Mother and Son’s Story.’ The movie is under Cineko Productions and written by Mel Del Rosario. The film, which officially began filming in June, also stars Miles Ocampo, Tonton Gutierrez, and Jackie Lou Blanco.
Aside from doing film, Richards is also back on TV as he hosts GMA’s ‘Battle of the Judges.” The new show puts the judges against one another and has the contestants face off on knock-out duels. Forming the panel of judges are Bea Alonzo, Boy Abunda, Annette Gozon-Valdes, and Jose Manalo. It premieres on July 15 on GMA.