Gretchen Malalad to Bong Alvarez: "See you in court."
Tuesday, August 28th, 2007
Bong Alvarez (left) has offered Gretchen Malalad a left-handed apology, but the lady reporter intends to pursue the physical injuries charges that she filed against the former professional basketball player.
Noel Orsal
Jocelyn Dimaculangan
Sunday, August 26, 2007
08:36 PM
Gretchen Malalad has accepted the apology of Bong Alvarez but intends to pursue the case of physical injuries that she filed against the former professional basketball player who attacked her recently.
In an interview with The Buzz earlier today, August 26, the ABS-CBN reporter recalled the violent behavior displayed by Bong while she was trying to talk with Wilfredo Cabanlit, the taxi driver who complained of being mauled by the former cager.
The Buzz showed the footage of Bong caught in the act of elbowing Gretchen in her face. "Pag ganyan niya sa akin, reaction ko nun, I was expecting another blow from him so tumaas na akong ganun [she puts up her hands in defense], so nagbato na ko [ng punch]," recalled Gretchen. "Pag ganun ko, bumalik na naman siya. Sinapak niya ako, at naalala ko masakit dito [pointing to her forehead and face]."
Bong told the press that he explicitly asked the lady reporter not to take videos of him that day, August 21.
"Sinabihan ko talaga si Gretch, sabi ko, ‘Tatlo ang anak kong babae. Ayoko ng media. Maawa ka naman sa mga anak ko.’ Yun ang eksaktong sinabi ko sa kanya, alam niya yun."
The former Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition housemate pointed out that she was simply doing her job as a reporter for the Kapamilya Network. "I wasn’t provoking him. I asked him kung pwedeng makuha ‘yung side niya kasi we heard the side of the victim," explained Gretchen. "Bakit mo ginawa sa akin ‘yun, e, I was just doing my job. Of course, he hit me, hindi lang isa…dalawa, tatlo ‘ata. I was hurt and [had] to protect myself as well."
The 2005 Southeast Asian Games karate gold medalist defended herself from Bong’s attacks by blocking his punches and hitting him in the face.
"Babae akong tao and as a martial arts artist, we are taught that we do not do the first strike ever. You hit back as a means of defending yourself. I was defending myself. I hit back dahil pinoprotektahan ko lang ang sarili ko," she declared.
On Tuesday afternoon, Gretchen filed physical injury charges against Bong in the Mandaluyong City’s Prosecutor Office. That same day, the ex-PBA superstar humbly asked the lady reporter for forgiveness. "Gretch, sorry. Pasensiya ka na. Ayoko ng media, e. Pero ako ‘yung niloko niya hindi ako ‘yung nanloko," said Bong.
"Nung nandun kami sa harap ng fiscal, hindi na ko nagsasalita. Okay, papatawarin kita pero itutuloy ko pa rin ang kaso," she insisted. After resting for one day, Gretchen was back to covering her news beat.
"Pag nakasalubong ko siya, I’ll say Hi! Hello! I’ll see you in court," she ended.
Taken from http://www.pep.ph/news/14545/Gretchen-Malalad-to-Bong-Alvarez:-See-you-in-court.
Cabbies get legal aid vs abusive passengers
By Riza T. Olchondra
Inquirer
Last updated 00:37am (Mla time) 08/24/2007
MANILA, Philippines – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is offering legal assistance to taxi drivers who become victims of abusive passengers.
The offer was made following a case involving former basketball star Paul “Bong” Alvarez.
The former Philippine Basketball Association player is facing physical injury charges for allegedly attacking two people. One of the complainants is taxi driver Wilfredo Cabanlit.
ABS-CBN television reporter Gretchen Malalad also charged Alvarez for allegedly attacking her while she was trying to interview Cabanlit.
LTFRB chair Thompson Lantion said drivers who would be abused could ask their operators to alert the agency if they wanted to file cases in court.
“Our agency has always been open to giving legal advice when they are involved in accidents. But not many drivers know that they can also seek assistance against abusive passengers,” he said.
Lantion said that while the agency did not tolerate such drivers, it would help cabbies victimized by passengers.
“The lives of taxi drivers are always at stake while on the job,” he said. “They ferry strangers who may not have good intentions. It is only fair that we help them.”
Taken from: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view_article.php?article_id=84390
Media Workers in the Philippines Threatened in Their Line of Work
Excerpt….
23/08/2007
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has denounced the recent harassment of two media workers in separate incidents in which a television reporter was assaulted and death threats issued to a radio manager in the Philippines.
“The constant threat of violence to media personnel in the Philippines is a very serious public matter,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.
“Government inaction has been occurring for far too long in addressing this shocking issue in which the Philippines’ media continues to be an unjust and unsafe working environment, “ Park said.
Reporter and taxi driver attacked by Philippines’ basketball star
According to IFJ affiliate the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), ABS-CBN reporter Gretchen Malalad was mauled by former professional basketball player Paul ‘Bong’ Alvarez.
The incident occurred when she was attempting to interview taxi driver William Cabanlit who reportedly claimed he was earlier kicked and hit in the face with a bottle by an intoxicated Alvarez on August 21.
Having refused to be interviewed in relation to the incident, Alvarez proceeded to attack Maladad in an attempt to prevent her from questioning Cabanlit.
Captured by an ABS-CBN cameraman, Alvarez reportedly elbowed the reporter in the face and neck, pulled her hair and punched her on the forehead, to which Malalad returned a hit in defence.
Malalad and Cabanlit have both filed separate incident complaints against Alvarez, who is currently detained at Mandaluyong police station.
“These attacks are direct attempts to not only endanger the lives of the media workers and their loved ones, but to ultimately prevent the truth from being broadcast to the public,” Park said.
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +61 2 9333 0919
Taken from: www.ifj.org/default.asp?index=5240&Language=EN
‘Mr. Excitement’ charged for mauling driver, elbowing female TV
By Jojo Arazas
08/22/2007
Paul “Bong” Alvarez, known as “Mr. Excitement” in the Philippine Basketball Association, yesterday was slapped with physical injury charges by a taxi driver whom he mauled and a woman reporter whom he elbowed in the face in Mandaluyong City.
The Mandaluyong City police have also charged the basketball star for resisting arrest.
Alvarez became popular in the PBA for his high-flying, slam-dunking antics when he played for highly popular teams Alaska and Barangay Ginebra.
He was first charged with physical injuries by taxi driver Wilfredo Cabanlit, who was accused of trying to jack up the fare by giving Alvarez a “runaround.”
Cabanlit told police he was flagged down by Alvarez on Timog Avenue in Quezon City during the wee hours of the morning after emerging from the Rembrandt Hotel and then asked that he be taken to Pasig City.
Upon reaching the Ortigas area, he said the former PBA superstar changed his mind and asked that he be taken to Manila instead.
During the return trip, Alvarez reportedly dozed off and when he came to, he saw himself being driven along Boni Avenue in Mandaluyong City.
It was here when Alvarez confronted the driver and accused him of manipulating the taxi meter.
“Nagalit kasi sa akin dahil iniikot ko raw siya. Iniiwasan ko lang ang traffic, matatagalan tayo sa traffic sa Shaw, dumaan tayo sa Boni. Sabi niya ‘tarantado,’ minura niya ako. Kako walang problema sa ikot, bawasan natin sa bill kung nagagalit kayo… Lasing ho siya,” Cabanlit later told media.
Cabanlit said Alvarez beat him up and smashed a beer bottle in his face. He said he got out of the cab and ran for help, but the former cager chased him.
Village watchmen pacified the former cager and took him to the police station but Alvarez’s troubles did not end there.
Minutes after hearing of the news, television station ABS-CBN dispatched its night shift reporter in Gretchen Malalad.
Malalad, a contestant of the Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant in 2002, became a household name when she joined the Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition series of ABS-CBN.
Malalad said she first tried to get an interview with Alvarez who refused to entertain media as he was still heavily intoxicated.
Sensing that she could no longer get a decent interview, Malalad then tried to proceed to Cabanlit to get his side.
But Malalad said Alvarez was blocking her way and when she told him that she was going to interview the cab driver, who was also at the police precinct giving his statements, Alvarez suddenly attacked her by first elbowing her to the face, and then grabbing her hair.
Fighting instincts saved Malalad from further physical harm as she dodged and parried the next flurry of attacks by Alvarez and was able to land a solid punch on the face of the former basketball superstar.
During a later interview with her mother station, Malalad, once a fan of Alvarez, said she would pursue charges against the former PBA star.
Aside from charges of physical injury from a taxi driver, Alvarez faces charges from Mandaluyong police for resisting arrest.
The incident was captured by ABS-CBN cameraman Larry Galinato.
“Masasabi ko lang napakabastos nitong si Bong Alvarez. Noong ayaw niyang magpakuha ni-respeto namin iyon. [Noong] papasok na kami sa pintuan dahil sa nandoon ang biktima, siya na lang ang dapat na iinterbyuhin namin, pero sinasarado niya ang pintuan ayaw niyang magpadaan. Tapos nang binuksan niya paglabas niya siniko niya ako sa mukha. Hindi ko talaga akalain,” she said.
Alvarez also reportedly threatened to beat up the cameraman of the television station.
He eventually locked himself up in the police station’s comfort room to avoid reporters.
PO3 Virgilio Sinlao said Cabanlit suffered bruises in the head and chest. Cabanlit of Reno Taxi was beaten up around 5 a.m.
Taken from http://www.tribune.net.ph/metro/20070822met1.html
Heroes???
And then yesterday, there was Bong Alvarez pummeling a hapless taxi driver in drunken madness. And as if it was not enough, Alvarez also slapped former Southeast Asian karatedo champion, now television reporter, Gretchen Malalad, when she tried to interview him at the police station.
08/22/2007
HE SAYS
Aldrin Cardona
Bong was lucky she did not get Malalad’s killer chop.
Well, Bong was always lucky. Once he was shot in the butt after an argument with a massage parlor security guard.
Taken from http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20070822com6.html
Rude player picks wrong person to bully
By Gilbert Felongco, Correspondent Manila: A former popular basketball player, notorious for his brushes with the law in the past for bad behaviour, picked a wrong person to bully on Tuesday after his intended victim, a woman reporter, turned out to be a karate gold medallist. Paul "Bong" Alvarez, who earned the title "Mr excitement" from Filipino sports fans during the height of his career as a basketball player, is now out on bail after he was detained in suburban Mandaluyong City after he was charged by reporter Gretchen Malalad with physical assault. According to Malalad, the 1.83 metre tall Alvarez pulled her hair, elbowed her in the face and neck and punched her on the forehead after she interviewed a taxi driver whom the former local basketball star allegedly mauled earlier in the day. The scene had been captured on video by an ABS-CBN camera man. The beauteous Malalad, a contestant in the 2002 Binibining Pilipinas (Miss Philippines) and former national athlete who had won several gold medals in the Southeast Asian games in Karate, landed a blow squarely on Alvarez’s face during the scuffle. "Bong Alvarez is so rude. When he declined to be interviewed, we respected his decision. But when we were about to interview his victim he was trying to stop us. When he went out of the room, he elbowed me in the face. I was caught off guard," Malalad said. Malalad, reportedly had been self-confessed fan of the former player before the incident. Alvarez, aside from facing a charge of physical assault filed by Malalad, had likewise been charged by the taxi driver, William Cabanlit of two counts of physical injuries. The former sports star had also been accused by the Mandaluyong police with resisting arrest.
Published: August 23, 2007, 01:01
Taken from: http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/07/08/23/10148547.html
Bong Alvarez Lands a Blow on Gretchen Malalad!
Bong Alvarez Lands a Blow on Gretchen Malalad! Last Tuesday, Gretchen was asked to cover Bong Alvarez’s alleged beating of a certain taxi driver. As such, Gretchen decided to go to the Mandalayung Police Station to ask for Bong’s side of the story first, but was greeted by threats instead. According to Gretchen, Bong Alvarez threatened to beat up the cameraman, and even break their camera! As such, Gretchen decided to ask for the taxi driver’s story instead, and this is where their encounter happened. As she was talking to the cab driver, Bong entered the scene, and as caught in camera, he hit her on the jaw! Gretchen, being a martial artist, decided to hit back, and the two soon ended in a brawl! Tune in to The Buzz ever Sunday after Your Song! Taken from ABS-CBN Website
ABS-CBN News Reporter Gretchen Malalad got hit by a particular realization just recently, and it came from the ex-PBA player, Bong Alvarez!
"I wasn’t provoking him," Gretchen says, and adds that she fought back due to self-defense: "I hit him back, dahil pinoprotektuhan ko lang ang sarili ko." That afternoon, Bong apologized to Gretchen, but the reporter has made up her mind to push through with her case against him, for physical injury! "Papatawarin kita, pero tuloy ko pa rin ‘yung kaso," she says.
Sidekicks
Monday, August 27th, 2007
Runaways never win, winners never runaway.
The meanest thing you can ever commit in all your life is being silent when you are confronted with a problem, a negative flow of events.
To be quiet, to ignore your pains in order that their exposure might not vex others you love is cowardice. Speak up! If evil strikes your life, stand up and raise your voice. Come what may; never succumb to the patronizing power of evil. Be strong, fight the good fight. Stand by the truth.
- Anonymous
Sure I am that this day we are masters of our fate, that the task which has been set before us is not above our strength; that its pangs and toils are not beyond my endurance. As long as we have faith in our own cause and an unconquerable
will to win, victory will not be denied us.–Abraham Lincoln
Ma’m Gege, May God be with you always in the course of this battle.
- Sidekicks -
Entertainment Live
Gretchen Malalad explaining the incident at the fiscal's office. This picture appears in Abante-Tonite last August 22, 2007.
Teaser in Entertainment Live last Saturday, August 25, 2007 showing the compiled videos of the Gretchen Malalad and Bong Alvarez incident in the Mandaluyong Police Station.
Gretchen showing a tigger-look to Bong Alvarez in this photo..
Gretchen says … "Never Ever"
Gretchen: Aaminin ko, I was in rage na parang, bakit mo ginawa sa akin yun, I was just doing my job.
Gretchen: Babae akong tao and as a martial artist din di ba, we were taught na we do not do the first strike, never ever. You hit back dun sa… i mean to defend yourself. Yun lang un. Yun lang ang masasabi ko, I was defending myself. I hit him back dahil pinoprotektahan ko rin ang sarili ko
Gretchen: Wala, walang aregluhan na nangyari. Saka hindi ako papaareglo. Tuloy ko pa rin tala ang kaso. Siguro alam naman siguro nila na hindi ako aatras sa kaso.
Gretchen: Iyong andun kami sa harapan ng fiscal's office. Okay, hindi ako nagsalita. Papatawarin kita, pero itutuloy ko pa rin ang kaso.
Gretchen: I rested lang mga 1 day. Yun lang, tapos back to work. Wala namang dapat ikatakot eh. Basta nasa posisyon ka ng tama, di ba, sa tingin mong tama ka… ipaglaban mo.
Gretchen: No comment na lang diyan. Pag nakasalubong ko siya, Ano ba, I'll say "Hi! Hello!" I'll see you in court.
