MANILA, Philippines – Toni Gonzaga apologized to those offended by her hosting during the Binibining Pilipinas 2015 pageant on Sunday, but explained she was asked to “make the show fun and light.”
READ: The funny and serious sides of the Bb. Pilipinas 2015 Q&A
The ABS-CBN star was criticized on social media following her stint as a co-host in the Bb. Pilipinas 2015 coronation night. A number of netizens considered her hosting style as too “informal” and her jokes inappropriate.
Among those who criticized the ABS-CBN star's hosting style on social media was former beauty queen Nina Ricci Alagao and fashion designer Cary Santiago.
But during the press conference for the upcoming Star Cinema movie “You’re The Boss” on Tuesday, Toni said she didn’t mean to offend anyone and that she was instructed to “ease the tension, especially during the question and answer portion” of the pageant.
“Syempre po, doon muna sa mga hindi natuwa dahil hindi naibigan ang napanood nila noong Sunday, I’m humbly asking if I have offended or I have maligned or I have hurt any one of you,” she said.
Toni added, “But it was never my intention because prior to the show, I was instructed to make the show fun, light, and ease the tension—especially during the Q & A portion. So it was never my intention.”
“Again, it was instructed for me to host that way, to make it lively and fun.”
She also thanked her fans and supporters who defended her over the issue.
WATCH: Toni Gonzaga speaks up on Bb. Pilipinas hosting controversy
"I don't want to miss this opportunity to thank everyone, yung mga friends ko po from the press, my friends from the industry who have been saying a lot of good things, who have been defending me, nagsasalita ng good and kind words sa akin. Maraming, maraming salamat po. I really and truly appreciate that from the bottom of my heart,” Toni said.
Despite the controversy, Toni said hosting the pageant was a memorable experience for her.
“I want to say thank you to the committee of the Binibining Pilipinas for giving me the opportunity to host such a wonderful event, kasi first time ko ma-experience yung ganung kasaya na crowd, ganung kasaya na audience,” she said.