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What was supposed to be a movie press conference for Felix Manalo turned into… something we can’t quite figure out yet.
Actress Sheryl Cruz, who plays a cameo role in the Iglesia ni Cristo founder’s biopic, was disinvited at the last minute from the movie’s press conference because the organizers wanted to keep the film away from any political controversy.
Cruz has been very vocal about being against the political plans of her first cousin, Senator Grace Poe. Before she was disinvited, Cruz was supposed to give a tell-all interview about her thoughts on the senator, as well as the issues on her citizenship.
But organizers were quick on their feet, and the actress was forced to give interviews at the Manila Hotel’s café instead.
Cruz says she is out to clear the name of her mom, former actress Rosemarie Sonora, who is rumored to be Sen. Poe’s biological mother. The biological father? No other than ousted dictator President Ferdinand Marcos.
“I am sorry, I am not willing to (undergo) a DNA test. Please spare my family from this… Ayoko nang madamay ang nanay ko (I don’t want to drag my mother into this). She wants to keep the peace in the family. I don’t want it to appear that my mom had an affair with another man not my dad,” she told Philippine Daily Inquirer and other members of the press.
Poe was a foundling adopted by showbiz couple Fernando Poe Jr. and Susan Roces. Roces, whose real name is Jesusa Sonora, is Rosemarie’s older sister.
“Sinasabi nila sisters kami. No. We have different mothers and we have different parents. Respeto na lang sa aking ina,” Sheryl said.
Sheryl, who campaigned for Poe in the 2013 elections, believes the senator is not ready to become president of the Republic — for now. She adds, she does not to leave the future to chance.
“It’s a bit abrupt for her to run in 2016, and popularity cannot be translated into capability. She’ll make a fine president come 2022…The lives of its citizens are not a game of chance,” Sheryl shared.
In a report from ABS-CBN News, Sheryl is also worried her outspoken stance against Sen. Poe has opened her up to “harassment”.
The 41-year-old Cruz believed the pressures to “keep her silent” was why her long-time talent manager, Rams David, resigned.
Sheryl also said her foundation, Paper For Now, was suddenly closed for reasons unknown to her. Paper For Now aims to provide livelihood by making stylish items out of paper weave.
“I am entitled to give my own opinion just like everybody else,” Cruz told reporters, denying she is villifying her cousin.
