Justin tells his own story

Curtain-raisers:

• BREAKING NEWS: Cogon, a digital thriller directed by Rico Alegre and starring Yul Servo, Julia Clarete with Joel Torre, won Best Picture at the just-concluded Rojo Sangre International Film Festival in Buenos Aires. Cogon was rejected by the recent CineManila. Rojo Sangre is the Latin version of the Screamfest Horror Film Festival in L.A. (where Yam Laranas’ Sigaw/The Echo competed), Spain’s Sitgest, Portugal’s Fantasporto, Brussels’ Festival of Fantasy and Horror Films in Belgium, Germany’s Munchen and Sweden’s Lund. Cogon will have a premiere on Nov. 19, 7 p.m., at UP.

• It’s Singing Writers’ Night on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at Conspiracy Garden Café (59 Visayas Avenue, Quezon City), from 7 to 10:30. Featured performers are Charlson Ong, Gougou de Jesus, Mike Coroza, Pete Lacaba, Dong Abay, Gerry Peralta, Joel Saracho, Lorna Kalaw-Tirol, Behn Cervantes, Vehnee Saturno, Julie Aurelio, Vergel Santos, Edson Tandoc, Neil Garcia, Girl Valencia, Susan Fernandez, Celin Cristobal, Marne Kilates, Lorraine Javier and Tita de Quiros.

• Did you know that Mark Gil (who has just recovered from a fainting spell on the set Exodus, Bong Revilla’s 2005 Metro Filmfest entry, caused by lack of sleep which made his blood sugar shoot up) is a good cook? Find out for yourself when his weekly cook/food show premieres on Studio 23 on Nov. 13 (Sunday next week).

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Since the controversy involving Rudy Fernandez/Alma Moreno and company and Robby Tarroza/Joed Serrano broke out last week, everybody has been wondering who Justin de Leon is, mentioned as the unwitting cause/reason for Rudy/Alma and company’s detention at the Narita Airport upon their arrival.

Well, Justin is the Viva Hot Men member (he’s one of the stars of Gil M. Portes’ digital film Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) said to be the subject of a letter of complaint sent by Robby (adviser of Viva Concerts, Inc.) to the Japanese Embassy. In the controversial letter, Robby reportedly informed the Japanese Embassy that Justin was going to Japan without the permission of Viva with which Justin is under contract.

A Funfare source claimed that the original letter approved by Viva bosses mentioned only Justin’s name but during lunch break Robby reportedly asked the secretary to insert the names of Rudy and Alma and faxed it posthaste to the Japanese Embassy. The rest, as you must have known by now, spelled BIG TROUBLE.

Rudy/Alma and company, including Alma’s two kids by Joey Marquez whom she wanted to bring to Tokyo Disneyland, were detained and interrogated ("Like criminals," or so claimed Rudy) for more than seven hours at the Narita Airport upon landing and told to take the first available flight back to Manila. A case of airport-to-airport, you know. It was a traumatic experience for the group, especially to Alma’s kids who went to sleep scared and hungry.

Then, of course, Rudy saw Robby at the Viva office and taught him a lesson for a lifetime. – "With a cellphone," Rudy insisted, and not with the butt of a gun as Robby said.

Anyway, while nobody was looking, Justin arrived from Japan last Nov. 1 after what he described as "10 scary days" in Japan where he lost weight and sleep while hiding at the house of a good-hearted friend who took care of him.

"After five days in Tokyo," Justin told Funfare, "I moved to Chiba when I saw Joed (Robby’s partner in sending Filipino artists/talents to Japan for shows. – RFL) in front of the club where they were having a show. Earlier, Tito Gorgy (Rula, Justin’s manager. – RFL) had texted me to be careful of Joed."

Why was he afraid of Joed?

"According to Tito Gorgy, Joed texted him na delikado daw ako sa Japan. I know that Joed (and Robby) are very powerful in Japan, that they boast to have ‘strong connections’ at the Japan Embassy in Manila and at the Airport Immigration in Japan, so I was afraid baka isumbong niya ako."

Did he have a hard time clearing immigration at the Narita Airport upon his arrival (with Rudy/Alma and company’s group)?

"No," said Justin. "Dere-derecho ako. No questions asked."

It turned out that a Masculado member, Michael de Leon (Justin’s namesake, his real first name is Michael), who was on the same flight from Manila, was mistaken for the Justin/Michael referred to in the letter sent by Robby to the Japanese Embassy in Manila, an information reportedly tipped off to the Narita Immigration authorities by a Japanese Embassy person with whom Robby and Joed has "connections."

"Michael was also held for a while but was let go," said Justin.

On hand to welcome Rudy/Alma and company was Priscilla Almeda who, along with Justin, waited for seven hours at the arrival area, leaving only when they were sure that Rudy/Alma’s group wouldn’t be allowed to enter Japan.

"When I learned that Rudy and Alma were detained," recalled Justin (who has been to Japan once), "I knew at once that Robby and Joed had something to do with it because even when I was at the NAIA, Joed called me and said, ‘Pakisabi dyan kina Alma Moreno, galit ako sa grupo n’yo; gagawa ako ng paraan para ma-detain ang grupo n’yo.’ I know na malakas talaga sina Robby at Joed sa Japanese Embassy."

Is he aware that Rudy/Alma’s group got into trouble in a way because of him?

"That’s what puzzles me," said Justin. "If it was I only that Robby (and Joed) were complaining against, why did he (Robby) include Rudy and Alma’s name in his letter?"

The first time Justin went to Japan, his trip was arranged by Robby and Joed. There was no problem.

"This time around," insisted Justin, "I knew I had Viva’s permission. It was Tito Gorgy who asked Viva’s permission for me."

His 10 days in Japan proved to be also traumatic for Justin.

"I didn’t have money. I had to call my friends for help. Tumatawag ako sa kanila para ako makakain. Sa loob ng sampung araw na ‘yon, hindi ako makatulog dahil sa takot."

When he flew in on Nov. 1, Justin cleared Immigration at Narita without any hitch.

"I’m willing to stand as witness for Rudy and Alma if ever they file a case," said Justin.

His traumatic experience notwithstanding, Justin said he’s willing to go back to Japan.

"The Japanese are nice people," he said. "Mayroon lang talaga tayong mga kababayan na medyo traidor," referring to nobody in particular.

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