Richard Poon lumaban sa bashers ni Sam, pati si Piolo nadamay 

NANG aminin ni Sam Milby ang relasyon nila ni 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray nu’ng mismong araw ng kaarawan niya ay ang daming natuwa at bumati sa kanila.

Bagay na bagay daw sila at pareho pa ang ugali kaya naman ilang sandali lang matapos ang announcement ay nag-trending agad ang hashtag #SamCat at #CatSam.

Pero siyempre sa kabila ng mga pagbati ay may ilang mga hindi pabor lalo na sa parte ni Catriona dahil kesyo may mga hindi magandang balita noon kay Sam at naungkat na naman ang isyu sa kanila noon ni Piolo Pascual.

Hindi naman napigilan ng pinaka-kuya sa Cornerstone Entertainment na si Richard Poon na ipagtanggol si Sam tungkol sa isyu. Narito ang mahabang litanya ng singer.

“MY RESPONSE TO A POST ON SAM MILBY…

“So many of us are rejoicing Sam Milby celebrated his birthday recently, and finally finding love with Miss Universe Catriona Gray. (I’m really selfishly wishing, they’d end up marrying each other, ha!)

“Then I see posts like these, and it makes me sad. I knew Sam way back. Even BEFORE he entered Pinoy-Big-Brother (PBB) or ABS-CBN.

“My manager and good friend Erickson Raymundo introduced us in a bar where I played with my acoustic band U-Turn in early 2000s.

“Sam and I became the first 2 artists under our manager’s wings. Samuel is one of the nicest guys in showbiz. So many people will attest to that. Too nice to a fault actually:)

“About Piolo (some of us call him PJ) … When I FIRST STEPPED ON THE ASAP ’08(2008) stage. I remembered there was a time, it was maybe a minute before LIVE ASAP airing, and I forgot my coat.

“Without blinking an eye, Piolo took his coat and gave it to me. I was worried and paralyzed onstage but he was calm, and fast to find a solution for me. He was such a leader.

“Piolo gave the same help for Sam, and many others newbies. Many of us (who were new) would always call Piolo, Kuya because that was how Piolo was, to all of us.

“He guided us, gave advise, because he knew the industry better than Sam or me. (although Piolo would sarcastically joke me as Tito Richard because I was older than him in age ha ha).

“I remember in 2007, a certain veteran journalist accused Sam and Piolo of ‘holding hands’ in Sofitel Hotel.

“My manager Erickson told me, ‘Ang bait talaga ni Piolo ayaw niya lumaban’. Someone from the other side HEARD Piolo and Sam WERE THINKING OF SUING and was overheard saying; “Mga Kristiano pa naman kayo (Sam and Piolo), how could you do this to an elderly woman?

“When I heard that, I was thinking, should we always ‘turn the other cheek’ TO BE BLOODILY SLAPPED OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN?

“I remember my God also angrily overturning tables in A CHURCH with a whip because he was mad too.

“Apparently, a big shot in the biz advice Piolo and Sam, ‘You HAVE TO FIGHT AT CERTAIN TIMES or else, some people will taint your careers AND YOUR CHARACTERS FOR LIFE just to sell their stories.’

“My manager and his team knew (and had solid evidence) that Piolo and Sam were NEVER at Sofitel Hotel that day, nor were they romantically involved, as maliciously insinuated.

“Responding to mentors’ advice, Piolo and Sam with their lawyer, Atty. Joji Alonzo, COMBINED TO SUE the manager/journalist in court for LIBEL of P12MILLION.

“This was the result: May 14, 2008 statement of ABS-CBN Star Magic Public-Relations Head Ms. Rikka Dylim.

“Just came from Manila City Hall.

“Ms. _______ signed her Statement of Retraction

“There is NO FACTUAL BASIS FOR MY ARTICLE which came out on October 12, 2007. I am extremely sorry for dragging the names of Sam and Piolo.

“Sam, Piolo, I am sorry for the hurt and embarrassment I caused.’

“After this, Piolo and Sam graciously dropped the charges.

“Fast forward, here we are today, 12 years after that closed case, mid-2020 in a coronavirus pandemic and lockdown.

“And some people continue to joke, post, comment, share and insinuate these 2 grown up men had a ‘romantic past’

“And the TIMING?

“Sam’s birthday and formally announcing his Miss Universe love. Just sad. All for ‘humor’ and shares’ I guess. Some of us will never learn, UNTIL THE PAIN IS DONE TO US.

“But the thing that gives me BIGGER HOPE is that these 2 guys are really, really strong. Not just physically strong (yes, they have super muscular physiques).

“But they are also MENTALLY and EMOTIONALLY strong. (I know they have both went thru a lot of painful challenges and tragedies).

“I admire them BOTH for their spirituality(especially with what I see with them BEHIND THE CAMERA, OR WHEN NOT IN THE PUBLIC).

“I think that is their strongest asset–their faith. As I travelled and worked with them for over 10 years now, I am very sure they have a great, great calling from up above, no matter how flawed they both are. And that will ALWAYS KEEP BOTH OF THEIR HEADS ABOVE WATER).”