PRECIOUS LARA QUIGAMAN "Fired Out" of Wowowee

Should love and career be mixed?

That has been a showbiz dilemma since time immemorial. Some know how to keep a happy balance between the two, but only if the lovers involved are both in showbiz. It’s an entirely different altogether if one of the partners is non-showbiz and therefore isn’t familiar with the ins and outs of the profession (such as irregular working schedule and, yes, being thrown into the company of equally attractive people who can generate, maybe unwittingly, irresistible temptations).

This dilemma is brought into focus by the recent Wowowee incident that resulted in (2005 Miss International) Precious Lara Quigaman as casualty.

We haven’t seen Precious as Willie Revillame’s co-host (with Mariel Rodriguez, Valerie Concepcion and Pokwang) these past few days, have we? This was after Wowowee was mounted “live” in Honolulu two weeks ago. When the Wowowee entourage came back, Precious was still on the show and it was only because those few episodes had been taped in advance. And then, she was gone. Just like that. Naglahong parang bula.

Was Precious, as per the rumors, “fired”? Or was she merely, ehem, “eased out”? If so, why?

Cory Vidanes, head of the ABS-CBN TV production, said in a text message to Funfare, “No, she wasn’t fired. Will update you on further developments.”

But here’s what really happened, according to an unimpeachable source (who was with the Wowowee Honolulu entourage):

“Company rule discourages any host, male or female, from bringing along his/her girlfriend/boyfriend to the studio, not especially on out-of-town trip, so as not to be distracted from work. Rules are rules.

“Anyway, Mariel and Valerie obeyed the rule. Mariel could have brought along her boyfriend Zanjoe Marudo but she did not. Neither did Valerie (whoever her boyfriend is). But Precious ‘violated’ the rule and brought her boyfriend (said to be a rich Chinese who is ‘possessive’ daw) along anyway. Before the group left Manila, Precious’ attention was called and she said, ‘You can cancel my ticket if you want to.’ She was defiant. Usually, back home she would bring along the guy to the studio and make him wait at the dressing room, that’s why Precious couldn’t concentrate on her work and she’s always in a hurry, parating nagmamadali, always trying to find out if the guy is okay or not.

“That’s what happened in Honolulu. Instead of ‘bonding’ with the group after the show, Precious kept to the guy’s company. Sa airport pa lang, sweet na sweet na sila; mas lalo pa doon sa Honolulu.

“Precious has developed an ‘attitude.’ Even during her reign as (2005) Bb. Pilipinas-International, she was said to have an ‘attitude’ already and she gave the Bb. Pilipinas people headaches. She has a lot of do’s and don’t’s even in the sitcom That’s My Doc! (with Aga Muhlach) — bawal makipag-holding hands sa leading man, walang kissing, maraming bawal.”

Asked if it was Willie who laid down that “rule,” the Funfare source said no. “It’s company rule. Besides, hindi type ni Willie si Precious.”

And that’s how the “precious” cookie crumbled.

Asked for comment, Rowell Octavio, Precious’ manager, said also in a text message to Funfare, “We’ll give our side within this week. You will be among the first to know. Definitely, we will answer all the questions.”

Now, was Precious “fired,” or was she “eased out?”

You draw your own conclusion.

Source: rfl