Chito Miranda on Neri Naig: ‘I need to act as her inspiration’

MANILA, Philippines – Parokya ni Edgar frontman Chito Miranda said his “private video” with girlfriend Neri Naig that came out recently didn’t affect him professionally.

Speaking to the press during the media launch of Parokya ni Edgar’s 20th album “Bente” on Monday, December 2, the 37-year-old vocalist said he and his bandmates—Buhawi Meneses on bass guitar, Darius Semaña on lead guitar, Gabriel Chee Kee on rhythm guitar, and Ferdinand Moreno on drums—tried not to take the issue seriously.

“Honestly, sa mga kabanda ko, we just laughed at it. It was a serious issue kasi it’s a criminal case, but we try not to take things seriously. Few days after that, we came up with a television commercial (for a liquor brand) but nobody really cared about the issue,” Chito told the press.

Chito added he was nervous the first time he went onstage after the scandal. However, he believes “fans of music don't care about showbiz issues.”

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“Among friends, di siya naging issue—napag-usapan, napagtawanan lang,” He shared. “The people who make it into a big deal, we don't care about them.”

It can be remembered that a sex video of Chito and Neri circulated online last August. The Parokya ni Edgar lead vocalist immediately apologized for the video via social media. Last October, a second video surfaced.

Meanwhile, Chito said he’s glad Neri has returned to showbiz via an upcoming drama with TV5, titled “Obsession.”

In a previous interview with other media outfits, Neri shared it was Chito who encouraged her to accept acting projects again.

‘She's unbelievably strong’

“I’m her boyfriend, so I need to act as an inspiration,” he said.

Chito added, “Neri is a strong girl. She took it hard but when you’re surrounded with people who love you, it makes it easier.”

The private video scandal, Chito said, wasn’t an issue when it comes to Neri receiving offers from TV networks.

“I don't think it's an issue because honestly all the offers were there before the incident happened. After that, she didn't want to work muna. But the networks, they told her na we don't care about that,” he said.

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He further explained: “They say that we want you to be in the show, no matter how big or small the role is. They were all very supportive. Like our friends, they didn't make an issue out of it.”

Of course, Neri was hit hard by the issue, but Chito made sure to show his girlfriend that the world “isn’t as harsh as social media.”

“She's unbelievably strong but not thick skinned. She took it hard. Kumbaga sa boxing nasuntok sya nang malakas. nilalabas ko talaga siya to show her that the world isn't as harsh as social media,” he said.

“Kasi sa social media, people bash her, judge her and are self-righteous. I tell her to go out and look at the world and find that it's still a beautiful place--people are still loving and compassionate,” Chito added.