Pu’ulani, the rumored third party in the Kyline Alcantara-Kobe Paras breakup, denied with seeming vehemence that she caused the couple’s separation.

In an Instagram Story, Pu’ulani wrote: “Due to the seemingly random and overwhelmingly amounts of death threats I’ve received in the past 24 hours, I’d like to quash false rumors and allegations going around on social media. I never knew making friends and following people on social media was such a big deal.”

“My husband and I (who are happily married now for two years) know that this is just a reflection of people’s boredom and hunger to spread negativity,” she added.

Pu’ulani’s denial came right on the heels of a social media post by Paras and Alcantara’s friend, which said that the animosity between the couple started during the opening night of a bar called Bando.

“So while Kyline wasn’t there, siyempre ang daming nag-approach kay Kobe na girls and guys congratulating him. The encounters were short. But what bothered me, and I’m saying this because there were three girls that came over to Kobe and he had quite a conversation with them while being unnecessary touchy. This conversation with one of the girls whose name is Pu’ulani, who I know, and is married for two years is what bothers me,” the couple’s friend wrote.

“Kobe gave his phone to her and asked for her Instagram and she more than happily typed it into his IG for him,” she said.

“Finding out that he had been messaging Pu’ulani for days before Kyline found out is baffling to some people in our friend group. I believe Kyline is right for breaking up with him and knowing her worth despite loving him so much. Being a girl and needing to make that decision takes a lot of pain and strength and seeing comments with no basis attacking Kyline as a woman, steers me wrong,” she added.

Second to none

When I officially dipped my fingers into showbiz 19 October 1989, it was with a two-point mission — to meet Superstar Nora Aunor and prolific entertainment writer Ricky Lo — idols I’ve learned to love and respect in my youth.

I initially crossed path with Lo during the mediacon for Kapitbahayan, a 1990 dramedy starring Dawn Zulueta and Anjo Yllana, which had my boss, Bibsy Carballo, as publicity officer. I read Lo’s “Fanfare” column at Daily Express in the 1980s and Philippine Star later.

Then, I bumped into Aunor during a PMPC Star Awards night. It was the first time I met her and I was fidgety as she walked passed by me.

The second physical sighting came when a friend, Almed Garcia, invited me to join her in an event where Aunor was the special guest of action star Derek Dee, former husband of beauty queen Melanie Marquez.

Third event was Aunor’s birthday party at Guilly’s Bar, which was across ABS-CBN. It was there where I was formally introduced to my idol by now-deceased writer Eddie Littlefield, one of Ate Guy’s trusted writers.

Three years later, PMPC president Rodel Fernando reintroduced me to Aunor in a bar owned by Freddie Aguilar in Quezon City.

This was followed by an intimate media huddle for John Rendez in the studio of photographer Edward dela Cuesta. This time, my idol and I were comfortably chatting.

Then, I was again invited by Fernando during a birthday party for Aunor which was held at a ballroom at Seda Vertis North Hotel. It was where Aunor showed her great appreciation to me as I gave a short speech about her. “Anak, payakap nga,” she told us.

March last year, Aunor extended financial help when I was hospitalized. September also last year, Fernando called me up and gave the phone to, guess who? Ate Guy, who else. She asked how we were after the operation and promised to help some more.

In the instances I met Ate Guy, she was bereft of star complex. She was always in her very simple demeanor, totally devoid of a facade. She is genuinely nice to me, her fiercest fan.

Thank you for the ephemeral memories that are well-etched in my mind. While our encounters were fleeting, it does not diminish the fact that to me and to your millions of fans, you’re our one and only Supertar — second to none!