Filipino celebrities weigh in on latecomers amid revived Alex Gonzaga-Dina Bonnevie issue
We've all experienced working with someone who arrives late in meetings and other work-related activities, and not in a fashionable way. For some people, it's tolerable, but for celebrities who have a busy schedule, having their co-stars come late at work seems like a sin that can't be forgiven.
Netizens on social media have recently revived an issue between Alex Gonzaga and a veteran actress who she did not name, but is believed by many to be Dina Bonnevie, after the former talked about her "tramautic" experience with her co-star when she came in late for work.
In a recent episode of her podcast "Ano na Catherine?", Alex discussed how she frequently comes across as a "bad guy" in the eyes of many because of her loud and playful personality.
At the end of the episode, she recalled a time where she was scolded by a senior co-star during her early 20s because she came in late for work, even after she tried explaining the reason for her tardiness.
"There was a time, when I was in early 20s, mag-21 ako, I was so traumatized, pinagsisigawan ako ng isang artistang matanda," Alex said.
She added, "Pinagsisigawan niya talaga ako from head to foot, everything, kasi akala niya galing ako sa bahay at late lang ako, pero hindi niya alam na galing ako sa work kasi siguro hindi sinabi sa kaniya."
While the actress did not identify her senior co-star, netizens are pointing fingers at Dina Bonnevie, having scoured the internet for an old interview of hers back in 2018 where she shared how she berated a young actress back in the day.
"Talagang sinabihan ko siya, 'Who do you think you are? Are you famous? Who are you? What name have you made? Have you carved your name in stone in showbiz? Your call time is 9:00 and you come down from your van at 12:00 na naka-pajama? Really? Sabi ko sa kaniya, 'Hindi pa pinapanganak ang babastos sa akin'. If you want to continue taping this soap like this, do it yourself." Dina said.
Dina and Alex previously worked on the 2011 teleserye P.S. I Love You.
Remember gaano ka-BASURA UGALI ni ALEX GONZAGA
— Archimedes Trajano 🧢 (@ArchieTrajano77) August 11, 2022
according to Ms. Dina Bonnevie 💅#AlexGonzaga #CancelTropangLOL#insensitiveka pic.twitter.com/fQQeg2MYwE
After the issue resurfaced, actor and host Joey de Leon weighed in on the subject during a media conference for his 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival movie My Teacher, which he stars with Alex's sister Toni.
"Yung kapatid mo, nabasa ko na naman. Luma na nga eh, si Mareng Dina," Joey said to Toni.
The Eat Bulaga host then proceeded to recount how he stopped and closed a weekly TV program due to latecomers on the set several years ago.
"'Yung ibang artista nag-aaway dahil late yung isa. Wala sa akin yang mga kuwento na 'yan. Ako matindi. Pag may nale-late, nilalayasan ko yung show. Pinapasara ko," he said.
He continued, "Noong araw may show ako yung T.O.D.A.S. sa Channel 13. Bakit natigil 'yun? Dahil sa akin. Nagalit ako dahil na-late yung ibang cast. Sabi ko tigilan na natin ito. So pinatigil ko yung show. Hindi naman nila magawa na wala ako."
His decision to shut down the program was prompted by the news that cast members had shallow reasons for why they were tardy, which is why he stressed that it's important for celebrities to always inform the office if they would be coming in late.
"'Yung nangyari kasi noon sa T.O.D.A.S., may nakarating sa akin, nag-date lang pala 'yung iba. Eh hindi tumawag. Wala pang cellphone noon. Puwede naman sila tumawag sa opisina. Ako kasi ang aga ko lagi sa set. So ayun, pinasara ko. Sabi ko, ‘tama na, tigilan na natin ito. Wala ng taping next week," he said.
Meanwhile, actress Carmi Martin, who is also a part of My Teacher cast, added into the discussion an experience of hers with tardy people.
"It happened a long time ago. May ginagawa akong soap sa ABS-CBN noon at ilang beses niya itong nangyari. [N]oong dumating siya, hindi man lang siya nag-so-sorry or nagbibigay pugay man lang sa mga beteranong artista," Carmi recalled.
She stressed that it's important for people to value professionalism and being on time at work.
"Isang secret talaga is being professional and yung pagpapahalaga sa time. Yung lost time hindi mo na maibabalik yun at dapat talaga nakikisama ka," she said.
She added, "Tama nga 'yung sinabi ni direk na dumating ka on time, alam mo ang dialogue mo, and role mo. Wala akong pakialam kung ano ang paglabas mo sa shooting. Pero mas maganda siyempre kung magaling kang makisama."
