Eric Quizon is a witness to the love story of Chris Po and Nanette Medved .
That flourished after the 1994 Manila Film Festival Scam, where the sexy actress stopped acting.
“All I really know is that the love between Nanette and Chris is genuine,” testified Eric, who is one of Nanette’s closest friends in showbiz.
Eric was interviewed exclusively by PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) on June 4, 2024, Tuesday afternoon, at the office of Brightlight Productions in Samar Avenue, Quezon City.
Eric continued, “What happened there is more of, like, ‘us against the world.’ So, that’s it.
“What happened was, they went to the States, they both studied. After that, they got married in South Africa. I was there.
“And then they stayed in Hong Kong because Chris got a job in Hong Kong.
“So, that’s really their story because it’s a genuine love story. But the circus around it, what’s happening, hearsay and all that, there’s just a lot of hearsay.
“A lot of things have been added but all I can say is that it was a genuine love like ‘us against the world.'”
NANETTE AND CHRIS: US AGAINST THE WORLD
Eric is very happy for Chris and Nanette who fought for their love, and overcame many trials.
Eric smiled, “It’s nice to have a friend who you know really loves each other, isn’t it?
“That’s what I’m saying, you seem to know that their love for each other is genuine, and they’re really good friends.
“Besides they are good friends… because they were friends before they became friends. So, that’s it.”
Nanette is also good friends with Eric. Nanette was ready to fight people for her.
“Of course. Because I’m the same with him. It’s like… Nanette and I are close because we’ve been together in movies for a long time,” Eric recalled.
“But we really became friends, because when she was really down and out, I was there for her.”
It was like Snooky Serna when they filmed the movie Inagaw Mo Ang Lahat Sa Akin (1995) in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.
Eric nodded, “Yes, it seems like that. It seems that when Nanette was down and out, she was really sad, we were there for her. I am there for him.”
BEING THERE FOR EEACH OTHER
Was Nanette also there when Eric was down and was feeling heavy?
“Yes! Yes!”
How does he help? How did Nanette support him?
“I’m with him. He accompanies me. As in he is there. Him and then Chris,” replied Eric.
“Because that’s when he got depressed, Chris wasn’t there at that time, eh. So we, Nanette get along.
“Me and our other friends. But I’m really rooting for him.
“And since he knows that I am there for him, he is the same for me.
“That’s why even up to now, until I became his son’s godfather… until now, we are still friends.
“Apparently, that won’t go away. Even if you don’t see each other on a regular basis, but we have a group chat that we talk to anytime.
“So there are those.”
THE MANILA FILM FESTIVAL 1994 SCAM
Ruffa Gutierrez and Nanette were the presenters for the best actor of the 1994 Manila Film Festival on June 22, 1994.
They simultaneously announced that the winner was Gabby Concepcion for Loretta , while the real winner was Edu Manzano for Zacarias .
Gabby and Nanette were both cared for by Manay Lolit Solis, who was the casting director or talent coordinator for the said awards ceremony.
Nanette did well to study after the 1994 MFF Scam broke.
Nanette had already rejected the movie Sa Nganlan ng Pag-ibig (1995), so the role of the mistress went to Alma Concepcion.
The local movie industry stagnated after the 1994 MFF Scam. MMFF 1994 was very weak.
Was Eric also affected then? “All of us were affected by what happened,” argued Eric.
“Of course, when that happened, remember Nanette, she said goodbye to Nay Lolit [Solis], right?
“He really said to Nay Lolit, ‘Nay Lolit, I hope you understand but I have to tell the truth.’ Isn’t that what he said to Nay Lolit? So what is he like?
“It’s mine, because at that time, we were all affected. Like maybe, like what happened because, like… the people, like, ‘What is that?! Are you people in showbiz really like that?!’
“It seems to be like that, eh. It’s like the world of showbiz got smaller at that time.”
LIFE AFTER MFF 1994 SCAM
Eric’s career continued after the 1994 MFF Scam.
Eric sighed, “Of course. Because, yes, our world may have shrunk or we may have been scrutinized by people and all, but all of us, our jobs are still going on.
“He’s still going. Because, that’s our job, eh. We don’t have a choice, do we? That we should really just do our jobs.”
By the way, Eric will be directing the 7th The EDDYS (Entertainment Editors’ Choice) scheduled for July 7, Sunday, at the Ceremonial Hall of the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City.
The delayed telecast will be on July 14 on ALLTV.
Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera of Rewind , Piolo Pascual of Mallari , Alden Richards and Julia Montes of Five Breakups And A Romance , and Kathryn Bernardo of A Very Good Girl will be honored there as Box Office Heroes .
There is a posthumous award for its writer-director to Carlo J. Caparas. Eva Darren, Leo Martinez, Gina Alajar, Nova Villa, and Lito Lapid star as Icons.
On June 14, Sunday, the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd) is scheduled to announce the nominees for the 7th edition of The EDDYS.