Diether Ocampo not paying his workers?

MANILA - Diether Ocampo finally broke his silence on allegations that he is hiding from the production staff of an independent film which he produced after failing to pay them.

Ocampo became a hot topic online when accusations surfaced that he did not pay some of his staff members despite their rendered work.

In a statement which he exclusively sent to “The Buzz” on Sunday, Ocampo said he is taking full responsibility for what happened.

“As the executive producer of Tandem Entertainment, I take full responsibility. There are matters beyond my control that led to this predicament. I will never run away from my responsibilities,” he said.

Ocampo said his camp has already arranged a meeting with his staff in order to resolve the problem.

“I treasure the people behind the project and I would not allow them to suffer. I assure the staff that I will give them what is due them,” he said.

Also on “The Buzz,” one of the staff members agreed to an interview but refused to show his face on camera.

“Actually nagbigay siya sa ibang mga staff ng post-dated check last January. Naka-date 'yun ng February 10. Pero noong 'yung iba nagpapalit na, hindi daw napondohan. All in all, siguro mga milyun-milyon ang utang ni Diet sa aking estimate,” he said.

While some production staff members were paid in installments, the staff member said there are others who were not paid at all.

“Yung ibang staff, hanggang second down payment pa lang ang nare-receive and the other staff, wala pa talaga. 'Yung mga huling pumirma ng kontrata, kahit piso walang na-receive. Sana as soon as possible, ma-resolve 'yung problema na ito kasi sobrang tagal na. Hindi rin naman kami ganun kayaman para basta na lang i-give up yung utang niya sa amin,” he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

For Piolo, Diether, respect key to lasting friendship

MANILA, Philippines – Actors Piolo Pascual and Diether Ocampo both agreed that the key to a lasting friendship is having mutual respect for each other.

In an interview with “Showbiz Inside Report” aired on Saturday, both actors said they never thought their friendship would come a long way.

Both are members of the first “ASAP” boy group The Hunks along with Jericho Rosales, Carlos Agassi and Bernard Palanca.

According to Pascual, he considers Ocampo as one of his brothers in show business.

“Si Diet napakatahimik na tao. Sa maraming taon na magkasama kami, kaya niyang i-keep sa sarili niya, diretso siyang kausap. Bilang isa sa mga kuya namin sa Star Magic, maganda 'yung example na pinapakita niya sa kabataan,” he said.

Ocampo, for his part, admires Pascual’s headstrong personality through tough times.

“May sarili ring mundo ‘to eh. Pero ‘yun 'yung part na nadi-discover ninyo na may similarities kayo, may common interests kayo... PJ, I can also say the same thing, marami rin siyang pinagdaanan, pero I admire him na he was able to rise above the challenges sa buhay niya,” he said.

Asked what they would do if The Hunks members fall in love with the same girl, Pascual said: “Masyadong maliit ‘yung mundo natin sa showbiz ‘di ba?”






“Siguro respeto lang sa isa’t isa, ganoon talaga. Kapag may mga ganyan, as much as possible, hindi pinag-uusapan,” he added.

As for Ocampo, he said: “No, those are things na better left unsaid. May mga bagay na parang… like he said, may mutual respect kami sa isa’t isa, may mga bagay na parang… ah okay, kung mas masaya siya doon…”

According to “Showbiz Inside Report,” Pascual was once romantically linked to actress Rica Peralejo, who was once with Palanca.

Ocampo, on the other hand, entered into a relationship with actress Kristine Hermosa, who was Rosales’ previous girlfriend.

Pascual and Ocampo are currently promoting their upcoming series "Apoy Sa Dagat." Also starring Angelica Panganiban, the primetime series will hit the TV screens starting February 11.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Diet to recently annulled Kris: 'Start a beautiful story'

MANILA, Philippines – Actor Diether Ocampo shared his meaningful message to close friend Kris Aquino regarding her recently annulled marriage to star cager James Yap.

According to the Kapamilya hunk, he learned the news through Kris herself, who had sent him a message saying she's "now officially free.”

“I'm very happy for her. Sabi ko nga 'what I can tell you is for you to start a beautiful story,'” he said in an interview posted on abs-cbnNEWS.com.

Although they rarely see each other due to their respective busy schedules, Diether assured that his friendship with Kris remains intact.

"Kanina lang binisita ko siya sa set… Friends pa din kami. Hindi naman nawawala ‘yon… Kahit di kami nagkikita, kung kailangan [ang] isa't isa… we are always there for each other," said Diether.

It’s interesting to note, though, that Kris had once said in an interview that she had “stopped talking” with Diether because her siblings felt uncomfortable with his good looks.

"Sinabi ko sa kanya na hindi naman puwedeng maging friends talaga ang guwapo at maganda nang hindi mabibigyan ng malisya," Kris was also quoted to have said.

Diether, nevertheless, maintained that he’s “in touch” with Kris’ family, apparently thanks to their common denominator: philanthropy. He and Kris even did charity projects together in Bacoor, Cavite as well as Tarlac, after they wrapped up shooting for their 2010 Metro Manila film fest entry “Dalaw.”

In spite of their closeness—and noticeable cat-and-dog relationship—Diether emphasized that he never courted Kris. As of now, he’s single, happy, and going out “on dates.” His last reported relationship was with model Rima Ostwani, which ended in 2010.

Hoping he won’t end up a single man for life, Diether said, “Well I guess hindi naging mapalad sa akin na magkaroon ng stable na relationship. Sa trabaho kasi namin napakahirap na makahanap ng partner who would really understand what you do and would be really dedicated and support you all the way and tatanggapin ka nang buong-buo.

“If makahahanap ka ng ganoon, siguro I think it's time for me to settle down," said he.

source: mb.com.ph

Diether denies 'tampuhan' with Kris

MANILA, Philippines – The rumor mill has always been abuzz with news of close friends Diether Ocampo and Kris Aquino having another “tampuhan” for one reason or another.

But this latest news about their relationship isn’t true according to Ocampo.

“Hindi, we keep in touch. We keep in touch and it’s nice to know that, you know, after all these years hindi nawala ‘yung maganda naming pagkakaibigan,” Ocampo said in a taped interview aired on “Paparazzi” on Aug. 28.

“Isa siya sa pinakamalapit kong kaibigan sa industriya,” the actor-model said of Aquino, and appealed the public, “sana po ‘wag niyong lagyan ng kulay.”

Ocampo added, “Wala naman kaming tinatagong dalawa eh. Wala naman kaming ano… kumbaga we regularly, you know, we keep in touch and kung may pagkakataon, we try to hang out.”

This is the second “tampuhan” news that the two got involved in this year. Recall that in early June, the TV host-actress declared that she’s “no longer close to Diet.”

Ocampo had already answered this assertion, explaining in a separate interview by PEP on June 29, “Nasira 'yung phone ko, nabura 'yung mga numero. Baka nagpapadala siya sa akin ng mga mensahe, hindi ko matanggap dahil wala na akong telepono. Wala naman kaming problema ni Kris.”

Although he and Aquino are often romantically linked due to their closeness and single status, Ocampo is not ready to get into another relationship just yet.

“It will take time for me to get involved again with someone,” he admitted in the same "Paparazzi" story.

However, the actor thought, “it will be nice also to have an inspiration.”

“I would like to have someone that I can talk to or to really motivate me to work harder. Lahat naman tayo siyempre, tayong mga lalaki kailangan natin ng inspirasyon sa buhay siyempre. Kailangan natin ng ano, kumbaga, babae na talagang magbibigay sa ‘tin ng magandang direksyon. Dahil minsan ‘pag puro trabaho, hindi rin okay eh ‘di ba?” he said, laughing.

When the topic of his ex-wife Kristine Hermosa-Sotto came up, Ocampo said, “First of all, gusto ko muna silang i-congratulate. Okay naman yata sila. I’m very happy for them.”

As for himself, Ocampo has no plans of marrying yet.

“Pinag-iipunan ko ho yung bahay na kung sa’n ko ititira yung kung sino mang ipagkakaloob sa ‘kin ng Diyos. Kumbaga sa ‘kin… I’m taking my time, I’m not in a rush.

“For me kasi it’s very important na magawa ko muna ‘yung mga responsibilidad ko dahil… ang dami ko ng pinagdaanan, nasubaybayan niyo naman siguro ‘yung love story ko siguro ‘di ba? And this time hindi naman ako nagmamadali,” he stressed.


Source: mb.com.ph