Balladeer Richard Poon went on Facebook where he shared his feelings about a previous issue involving Kapamilya actors Sam Milby and Piolo Pascual.
Recently, memes about Sam and Piolo appeared again on social media.
These pictures made the rounds online days after Sam celebrated his 36th birthday at the same time confirming his relationship with Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray.
On his Facebook post, Richard recalled that he met Sam well before the latter’s stint on Pinoy Big Brother. He also shared that they worked together under the same management at the time.
“I knew Sam way back. Even BEFORE he entered Pinoy-Big-Brother (PBB) or ABS-CBN. My manager and good friend Erickson Raymundo introduced us in a bar where I played with my acoustic band ‘U-Turn; in early 2000s.”
“Samuel is one of the nicest guys in showbiz. So many people will attest to that. Too nice to a fault actually:)”
He then addressed the malicious rumors involving Sam and Piolo. He recalled that a journalist (though unnamed in the post was widely known to be Lolit Solis) falsely reported that the two were seen “holding hands” at Sofitel Hotel.
“I remember in 2007, a certain veteran journalist accused Sam and Piolo of ‘holding hands’ in Sofitel Hotel… My manager Erickson told me, ‘Ang bait talaga ni Piolo… ayaw niya lumaban…'”
But after hearing rumors that Sam and Piolo’s team had plans of suing Solis, the journalist’s group began lambasting Sam and Piolo for being Christians but unforgiving of the journalist for spreading lies.
“Someone from the other side HEARD Piolo and Sam WERE THINKING OF SUING…and was overheard saying: ‘Mga Kristiano pa naman kayo (Sam and Piolo), how could you do this to an elderly woman???!!!!!'”
“When I heard that, I was thinking, Should we always ‘turn the other cheek’ TO BE BLOODILY SLAPPED OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN???? I remember my God also angrily overturning tables in A CHURCH with a whip because He was mad too….”
But then Richard shared that this incident pushed Sam and Piolo to fight back against the lies.
“Apparently, a bigshot in the biz advised Piolo and Sam, ‘You HAVE TO FIGHT AT CERTAIN TIMES… or else, some people will taint your careers AND YOUR CHARACTERS FOR LIFE….just to sell their stories.'”
Backed with their solid evidence, Piolo and Sam’s groups decided to file a libel case.
“My manager and his team knew (and had solid evidence) that Piolo and Sam were NEVER at Sofitel Hotel that day, nor were they romantically involved, as maliciously insinuated.”
“Responding to mentors’ advice, Piolo and Sam with their lawyer, Atty. Joji Alonzo, COMBINED TO SUE the manager/journalist in court for LIBEL of P12MILLION.”
Faced with the possibility of going to court and the fact that she had no proof of her claims, Solis retracted her statements and apologized to the two actors.
Twelve years later, this issue has resurfaced again but Richard commended the two for being strong not just physically but emotionally,
“Fast forward, here we are today, 12 years after that closed case, mid-2020 in a coronavirus pandemic and lockdown. And some people continue to joke, post, comment, share and insinuate these 2 grown-up men had a ‘romantic past’.
“But the thing that gives me BIGGER HOPE… is that these 2 guys are really, really strong. Not just physically strong… (yes, they have super muscular physiques) But they are also MENTALLY and EMOTIONALLY strong.”
Ending his lengthy post, Richard believes that the two will continue to rise above the negativity,
“As I traveled and worked with them for over 10 years now, I am very sure they have a great, great calling from up above, no matter how flawed they both are. And that will ALWAYS KEEP BOTH OF THEIR HEADS ABOVE WATER:)”
