Mother Lily's statement on the Carla Abellana-Asiong Salonga issue

MANILA, Philippines - “I have kept quiet on this issue because Carla Abellana is a Regal baby. I felt I have to protect her. But I am speaking up now because I have to explain and clear things up.

“Regal was the last to know that Carla’s manager, Arnold Vegafria, accepted the offer for her to do The Asiong Salonga Story (produced by Laguna Gov. E.R. Ejercito who also stars in it), an entry in this year’s Metro Filmfest. We were told about it only until after Carla had finished shooting her scenes.

“When I learned about it, I told Arnold, ‘Nandiyan na ‘yan, we cannot do anything about it anymore. Ayusin mo ito.’

“Regal and Arnold agreed that Carla would not help promote The Asiong Salonga Story only because she also has a Metro Filmfest entry with Regal, Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, and there will be conflict of interest.

“Carla has an EXCLUSIVE contract with Regal. It is not true that her contract gives her or her manager an option to do movies outside of Regal.

“I have no anger, kahit kay E.R., anak-anakan ko ‘yan. E.R. and I talked last Friday and I explained to him Regal’s side. It’s just too sad that in situations such as this, Arnold doesn’t even lift a finger.

“Tinakpan ko lahat alang-alang kay Carla. It’s so hurting that we (Regal) were the last to know about her appearance in that movie. I don’t want to sue my stars, hindi naman maganda na isang pamilya kami, kami pa ang magdedemandahan.

“I would just want to cite Marian Rivera’s case. Marian, like Carla, is an EXCLUSIVE Regal contract star. Ipinahiram namin si Marian kay Sen. Bong Revilla for Panday 2 because grabe ang courtesy na binigay ni Sen. Bong sa Regal before they even shot the film.

“I just want to say, don’t blame me. I didn’t talk because I wanted to protect our star. Hindi ako galit, I just want to set the record straight.

“I pray that things go right from hereon. I just want to be fair to myself, to everybody and to showbiz people.

“The thing is respeto lang sa isa’t isa.”