Mother Lily to Marian Rivera: ‘Don’t lie’

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Shortly after final entries for the 2013 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) were released, prominent film producer Lily Monteverde cited actress Marian Rivera as the reason for Regal Films’ absence in this year’s festival, reports PEP.ph.

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Monteverde explained that Regal Films had plans for a project featuring Marian Rivera and Judy Ann Santos, but Rivera declined, saying she would rather go solo.

“You know, malungkot din ako kasi wala ako entry. Pero ayaw gawin ni Marian, eh (You know, not having an entry makes me sad, but Marian didn’t want to do it),” said the Regal Films head.

Rivera denied the allegations, saying she had no knowledge of turning down the said film offer.

“Narinig ko nga ‘yan na parang tinanggihan ko raw si Judy Ann. Wala akong alam diyan. Ako na naman ang masisisi diyan (I’ve heard talk about me turning down Judy Ann. I know nothing about that. The blame will be on me again),” she said. 

Monteverde then responded, asserting that she was telling the truth. She narrated how the negotiations took place with producer Roselle Monteverde-Teo.

“Siya ang nagsabi na ayaw niya na may kasama. Gusto niya, solo. How many years na ako sa showbiz; I’m not lying. I’m a cancer patient, and I don’t want to lie. Siya talaga ang tumatanggi (She said she did not want a co-star. She wanted to go solo. How many years have I been in showbiz; I’m not lying. I’m a cancer patient, and I don’t want to lie. She was certainly the one who refused),” she told PEP.

“Don’t lie,” Monteverde urged Rivera.

Production house Regal Films has been an MMFF mainstay for more than a decade. Its most recent entry was 2012’s “Shake, Rattle and Roll 14.”

MMFF review: ‘The Invasion: Shake, Rattle & Roll IV’

Although the production house has no solo entry in this year’s festival, the film “Pagpag,” a collaboration between Regal Films and Skylight Films, is part of the 2013 entries. 

Watch the ‘Shake Rattle and Roll 14’ trailer here:

According to reports by ABS-CBN, Monteverde and Rivera settled the conflict on Thursday, June 20, during the press conference for Marian’s latest flick “My Lady Boss.”

“All the writers, they were calling me, ‘Mother, ba’t wala ka sa festival?’ So I was so depressed and I was so emotional na I must answer and reveal and tell the truth,” said Mother Lily.

During her speech, she addressed Rivera, calling for an end to the issue.

“All this series of [misunderstanding] I have with you, Marian… You are my daughter, I don’t want to rock the boat, past is past. Let’s be together and let’s work harmoniously,” she said.

After the press conference, Rivera told the media she is happy the dispute has been clarified. – Rappler.com