By Lance Joseph Martinez
Kapuso actress Nadine Samonte recently shared her feelings of being “so frustated and so down” after attending the GMA Gala 2024.
In a recent showbiz update by Ogie Diaz on his YouTube channel, Nadine shared what happened to her during the star-studded gathering in a video sent to the host.
She said that she “frustrated and down, and lost” after attending the event, which she and her team had prepared for over a year.
The issue first gained attention when her stylist, Miss Keith Manila, ranted about the incident, seemingly referring to Nadine’s experience at the Gala.
In the video, Nadine recounted, “Hindi ko na natapos yung program. I was so frustrated and so down and lost. Again, that’s the right word, na parang ‘what happened?’ Parang ganun yung nangyari sa akin.
“My team was so mad. They hugged me when I went up. Umiyak na ako doon,” she added.
The actress explained that she had been preparing for the event since last year.
“This gala, nag-prepare ako since last year pa. I prepared, nag-check in na ako, last year pa. Binook ko na lahat last year pa. We even had meetings for what to do, for what theme to make. Lahat talaga preparation, gastos,” Nadine shared.
“I was not really expecting na matrato ako as VIP pero I was just wishing na matrato ako fairly lang,” she continued.
She continued, “Noong binigyan nila ako ng invitation for that gala, nag-RSVP kaagad ako. Kapag hindi ka raw kasama sa RSVP, hindi ka raw makakapasok. So nag-RSVP na ako.”
Nadine also revealed that she asked if she could bring her husband, but the organizers said no.
Upon arriving at the venue, Nadine discovered that her name wasn’t on the list.
“My handler was there also. Tapos sabi, eh wala ka po dito, ano po bang apelyido? Lahat na ng apelyido ko sinabi ko… Sabi ko, meron po akong show ngayon, iyong ‘Forever Young’ pero hindi pa ini-air.”
When initially given a seat, Nadine felt ashamed as the table had a different name. She asked for another seat and was assigned to the farthest table.
Nadine shared, “Nakakaramdam naman ako nang ‘what happened?’ Nag-RSVP ako… and nandoon ako sa list, how come wala ako sa list ng registration.”
“I feel so kawawa, na everybody was going sa akin, na parang ‘Nadine are you okay?’”
Nadine, nevertheless, concluded her video by still expressing her gratitude to GMA for inviting her and giving her a new show, saying, “Masama lang talaga ‘yung loob ko Tito Ogie. Pero it’s okay. I’m thankful naman sa GMA kahit papano na-invite ako sa ganitong malaking event talaga na once a year.”
“And I’m thankful also kasi meron akong bagong show with them. I hope next year, the production will be more vigilant.”
As the controversy heated up on social media, Nadine addressed the issue with another statement on her Instagram.
The Kapuso actress began by expressing gratitude to those who reached out after the incident, saying, “First, I would like to thank everyone who loves and cares for me, especially my husband, family, and friends. I appreciate all your sweet messages, but this needs to end.”
“I would like to move on and look at the brighter side of life. Thank you Sparkle Family for looking into this matter to prevent any future mishaps. Thank you to my team and my handler for your relentless love and support,” Nadine wrote.
Nadine emphasized that she has never been angry with her network, GMA, and clarified that they have already been in contact with her.
“Lastly, thank you to GMA and Sparkle for reaching out to me. It truly means so much,” she penned to the network.
The Kapuso actress, who started her career in 2003, ended her message by affirming her pride in being a Kapuso.
“I want to reiterate that I have never harbored any ill feelings toward the network, and I always say that there would be no Nadine Samonte without GMA. I will forever be grateful for that,” Samonte expressed.
Nadine began her career as a participant in the first season of “StarStruck” and rose to prominence for her role in “Super Twins” as Super T and in “MariMar” as the main antagonist, Innocencia Arcega-Del Castillo.
