Toni says sorry for Bb. Pilipinas issue

MANILA, Philippines - Toni Gonzaga only knows too well that her hosting the Bb. Pilipinas Pageant last Sunday evening at the Smart Araneta Coliseum drew mixed reactions. It became the top trending topic on social networking sites.

But Toni is not one to sulk in a corner and wallow in sadness after receiving negative comments, especially from netizens. The actress, who appeared calm and collected at the presscon for her and Coco Martin’s team-up movie You’re My Boss last Tuesday evening, aired her side regarding the matter.

“This will be the first and last time that I will talk about this kasi nung Sunday pa po ito and we have all moved on from it,” Toni began. “Tapos na po ‘yung coronation night. We have already declared the winners so there’s no point of looking back and talking about it over and over again.

“First of all, I wanna say thank you very much to the committee of Bb. Pilipinas for giving me the opportunity to host such a wonderful event because it was my first time to experience ‘yung ganung kasayang crowd and it was definitely a memorable experience for me. To those who were not pleased, s’yempre nagkaroon ng parang national debate kung nagustuhan nila o hindi ang napanuod nila. To those who didn’t like what they’ve watched last Sunday, I’m humbly (offering) an apology if I have offended or I have maligned or I have hurt anyone of you. But it was never my intention because prior to the show, I was instructed to make the show fun, light and (to) ease the tension (of the contestants), especially during the Q&A portion. So it was never my intention; again it was instructed to me to host that way — to make it light and fun, of course, in the spirit of the celebration of the Bb. Pilipinas coronation night. ‘Yun po ang stand ko ‘dun.”

Toni, too, never failed to say her thanks to the people who appreciated her way of handling the tension-filled event. “My friends from the press and in the (showbiz) industry who have been defending me and saying kind words to me, thank you very much, I really and truly appreciate that from the bottom of my heart.

“I also like to thank Bb. Pilipinas committee for commending the job I did last Sunday. Even the special events, they actually texted me very nice and encouraging words and I’m very thankful for that.”

Toni merrily finished her statement by quipping, “And in the spirit of beauty pageants, let’s end the issue with world peace.”

Toni’s humble words have once more reflected her positive mindset even in the midst of controversy. Her past interviews revealed that Toni was not easily affected by bashers, often saying that she is already used to them and she is open to constructive criticisms.

During and right after the pageant proper, social networking sites were flooded with comments — both good and bad — on the hosting style of Toni. Some likened her hosting the event to that of barangay gay pageant. Others felt she turned it into a variety show and that there seemed to be instances where she sounded sarcastic or rude. There were also many who praised Toni for being funny.

In the meantime, Toni doesn’t allow herself to be distracted from her work, proving true the saying, the show must go on. She sat side by side with Coco while talking about their first movie together under Star Cinema that will hit cinemas on April 4. It is directed by Antoinette Jadaone.

Apparently, it was Toni who pitched the concept of role reversal in You’re My Boss to Star Cinema through director Olivia Lamasan, a.k.a. Inang, during one of their meetings for a movie.

“Role reversal is a concept that we came up with. I remember nasa bahay kami ni Alex (her sister) and for some reason napag-usapan namin si Coco and Alex said I’ll never get to work with Coco since he’s more on drama; primetime teleserye (kind). And I said let’s think of a story where my character can jibe with his and then we came up with role reversal and that time may meeting ako with Star Cinema (people) for a movie then Inang was there. I told her that I have a concept that I’d like to pitch and I already have an actor in mind — si Coco. I told the story to Inang and to Carmi Raymundo, the writer of Starting (Over Again). They liked it and pitched the story to Coco. Thankfully, he liked it, too. Next thing that happened, story con na kami.”

Toni was asked how she was able to make comedy easy for Coco, but before she could answer, Coco said that she was helping him in takes that especially had dialogues in English. “Kino-coach n’ya ko lalo na sa mahahabang linya na di ko mamemorya ng tama; dinidikta n’ya ng pabulong sa likod habang umaarte ko.”

“Coco is on my list of actors whom I’d like to work with before I get married,” said Toni.

And speaking of marriage, Toni cannot divulge yet any detail of her swapping I do’s with director Paul Soriano. She also didn’t confirm if there is truth to the rumor that their wedding will happen on June 12, Independence Day. “I promise to tell (you) right after the showing of the movie.”

And though You’re My Boss is her last movie as a single woman, Toni was quick to wish that it won’t be her last. “Ayoko ng may huli, (dapat) walang ending happy lang.”