MANILA, Philippines - Although Toni Gonzaga refused to divulge the exact reason of her rift with Mariel Rodriguez, talks are rife among showbiz circles about unverified details behind it.
Mariel-who has long been friends with Toni-is said to have been referring to the latter as ''duling'' (cross-eyed), Pinoy Parazzi wrote on Sept. 17.
A confrontation is said to have ensued when Toni learned about the alleged badmouthing, presumably from fellow Kapamilya star Anne Curtis, who supposedly told Toni about what Mariel said. Mariel was tongue-tied when confronted about it, the report added.
However, a slightly different version of the story was aired on DZMM radio program ''Showbiz Mismo'' last Sept. 17. One of the hosts, Jobert Sucaldito, said that according to his source, there was an instance when Toni's co-host on ''The Buzz,'' KC Concepcion, told her about her realization that she [Toni] is not a difficult person to deal with at times. Toni is said to have learned that the impression came from Mariel.
Jobert also related the scenario involving Anne Curtis. In his source's version, though, Mariel is said to have denied both instances to Toni when the latter clarified the matter.
As Toni hinted in her most recent interview, there were three instances that hurt her, supposedly because of Mariel. The third, she noted, was the last straw. ''Hindi ko na kinaya,'' she was quoted as saying.
Even with these reports, one cannot conclude if the instances sighted indeed led to the fracture of the two's ''tried-and-tested'' friendship (as Toni described during a past interview with Bulletin Entertainment). Mariel, on her part, has opted for silence in this latest controversy (as said by an ''E-Live'' report on Sept. 18), save for a short message she sent via KTXT on Sept. 17:
''The truth shall prevail'' and ''Less talk, less mistakes.''
Caught in between the conflicting parties is their other best friend, Bianca Gonzales. During the ''E-Live'' episode, the TV host said her piece on the issue with three profound points:
''First, sad as it may be, yes, totoo, hindi sila in good terms ngayon.
''Second wala talaga siyang kinalaman do'n sa movie (the Toni Gonzaga-Robin Padilla project which was shelved at the height of the latter's blooming romance with Mariel). I mean hindi 'yun 'yung cause. Parang hindi naman ganun kaliit na reason 'yung magiging downfall ng friendship na 'to, for now.
''And third, I always say this, sa lahat ng nagmamahal, both kay Toni and kay Mariel, please wag na kayong mag-imbento ng Team Toni or Team Mariel. Sana hindi magkampihan 'yung mga tao. Kasi if you do know the whole story, alam mo na pareho silang tama sa mga nararamdaman nila at pareho silang walang masamang ginawa. 'Yon I can honestly, honestly say.''
Bianca appealed for the public to give both Toni and Mariel time and space. ''In time kapag nagkaharap sila, for sure, magbabati 'yan,'' she said.
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