Actress Yen Santos couldn’t help but laugh when a netizen referenced her infamous 2021 “Baguio as a friend” controversy during her latest vlog uploaded Wednesday, August 13.
While driving with a friend in the backseat, Santos took on a Q&A challenge, answering random questions from fans. One follower asked, “Puwede ko po bang dalhin yung crush ko sa Baguio, pero as friends lang?”
The question immediately drew a big laugh from the actress, who blurted out, “Ano baaaa? Please naman. I’d rather not be part of another Baguio trip like that.”
Santos eventually gave a more measured answer, saying, “Kung genuine naman ‘yan, sana transparent kayo at walang sablay.”
Her friend chimed in, teasing, “Pero sana this time ako na ang dalhin mo para safe ka. Ako na lang kasi dapat ang sinasama mo,” prompting another burst of laughter from the actress.
The “Baguio as a friend” phrase became a viral meme after Santos and actor Paolo Contis were spotted together in Baguio and at Manaoag Church in September 2021, shortly after Contis’ breakup with LJ Reyes.
At the time, Contis denied rumors that Santos was the reason for the split, explaining that he invited her “as a friend” so he wouldn’t be alone during the trip. He clarified that Santos was only in Baguio for a day, while he stayed for three.
Despite his explanation, the phrase lived on as an internet catchphrase, inspiring countless memes, jokes, and even marketing campaigns.
