Lara airs side on Wowowee issue

A few issues ago, Funfare bannered a story that Precious Lara Quigaman was “fired” from or “eased out” out of Wowowee because she violated certain rules, including one that frowns on hosts bringing their boyfriend/girlfriend to work.

Lara was pulled out from Wowowee on May 15, followed by rumors that started spreading on the Internet, in local tabloids and even in the much-read broadsheets.

Here’s Lara (with the help of her manager Rowell Octavio) answering the issues point by point (with Funfare making no further comment):

• There was no written rule or even a rule at all about bringing a boyfriend or a companion to Hawaii. I asked one of the staff of Wowowee before leaving if they were indeed not allowed to bring anyone along. The staff told me that it was okay as long as it will not affect my work and as long as we just won’t be seen until after the show’s activities. My mother and my boyfriend accompanied me to Hawaii, contrary to false information that it was only my boyfriend who was there. We were never seen until the day we were to leave for the airport to the Philippines. They did not even watch the show at Aloha stadium. They did not accompany me to the rehearsals, presscons, radio and TV tours. I never missed a rehearsal, meeting, press-con or any activity in Hawaii. I was never late or in a hurry to leave rehearsals or go back to the hotel. I did what I had to do.

• My mother and my boyfriend paid for their own airfare, arranged their travel papers on their own. The production was never involved with their travel arrangements in any way. The artists, specifically the co-hosts, were not given plus ones. It’s up to them if they want to bring a companion, as long as they pay for their own expenses.

• I never declared this statement: “You can cancel my ticket if you want to!” (kung hindi puede isama ang boyfriend). It is not in my character or personality to say these words.

• My boyfriend has never been seen in the studio, has never watched an episode of Wowowee live, has never loitered inside the dressing room. (Note: Funfare misquoted the source who later clarified that Lara’s boyfriend would only drive Lara to and from the studio and never set foot in the dressing room. — RFL) My boyfriend has his own schedule every day and is only taking the chance to fetch me in between his scheduled meetings. Guards are stationed at the doors of the dressing rooms and no males are allowed to go in. Not even my little brother was allowed to stay inside.

• I was never in a hurry to leave rehearsals or work except when I have to leave AFTER WORK to run to another commitment.

• On my rumored “attitude” and “pagmamaldita”:

In That’s My Doc – about the do’s and don’t’s. Watch the show and find out for yourself if it is true that I don’t let the leading man, kiss, hold my hand or hug me. The production staff and the executive producer of the show can confirm that I am always punctual and cooperative, and that I never complain, as I always am with my other commitments, guestings and projects.

Regarding the Bb. Pilipinas “issue,” the “headache” I gave the Bb. Pilipinas people may be the way I exercise my right to refuse an offer to pose for an alcoholic beverage calendar/poster which they had committed to without my consent or knowledge.

• Up to now, the Wowowee people are still unsure of the exact reasons why I was pulled out of the show. The only explanation management can give is that I broke the rule that no companions were allowed to accompany artists.

• I can still be seen every Saturday, starting at 6 p.m., on the ABS-CBN sitcom That’s My Doc as Aga Muhlach’s leading lady.