MANILA - Belo Medical Group clarified on Monday that a Facebook post alleging that its endorser, actress Ruffa Gutierrez, has been fired after revealing her supposed slimming regimen is a hoax.
The sponsored post from a certain FitFirst Magazine has been circulating since last week and appears to link to an article about Gutierrez's supposed statement.
The link uses a photo composite of Gutierrez in a file "TV Patrol" interview and Belo Medical Group founder Dr. Vicki Belo, with the title: "Ruffa Gutierrez FIRED By Vicki Belo After She Revealed The Truth Behind Her WElGHTLOSS".
The post quotes Gutierrez as saying, pertaining to her weight loss regimen: "I am sick of lying to everyone about this. People ask me about this all the time!"
The hoax alleges that Gutierrez has admitted using so-called African Diet Pills, and that her treatments at Belo had little to do with her weight loss.
A screengrab of the viral Facebook post linking to Ruffa Gutierrez's supposed weight loss regimen
However, in a statement on her official website, Gutierrez said: "Do not believe fake, paid advertisements saying that I lost weight due to African diet pills. It's a LIE!"
The 40-year-old actress explained that she has been availing of different services of Belo Medical Group, in addition to eating healthy and exercising in order to lose weight.
In a statement given to ABS-CBN News, Belo Medical Group similarly belied the viral post and warned the public to "check the accuracy and legitimacy of certain advertisements promoting beauty and slimming products that are claiming to be effective and used by both local and international celebrities."
The company explained that several false advertisements using images of Belo endorsers as well as Dr. Belo have been brought to its attention in the past months.
Referring to the viral advertisement showing Gutierrez, and the allegation that the actress has been fired as one of its endorsers, it added: "Belo Medical Group denounces such malicious news. Ruffa is still our endorser and that she regularly visits our clinics for her beauty and slimming procedures."
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
