MANILA, Philippines—Have they really changed so quickly from friends to adversaries?

GMA 7 top exec Wilma Galvante said she earlier received a text message from the Annabelle Rama, warning her, “Paglalaruan kita nang isang buwan.”

Loosely translated, “I will give you the runaround for a month.” Or something like that.

Rama, mother and talent manager of her own son Richard Gutierrez, has accused GMA 7 of sabotaging the opening on Wednesday of “For the First Time,” starring Gutierrez and KC Concepcion, by mounting “Let’s Celebrate,” a birthday concert for network superstars Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes on the same night at the Araneta Coliseum. Gutierrez is also a favored Ch. 7 talent.

The movie was produced by Star Cinema, production arm of rival network ABS-CBN, and Gutierrez was “loaned out” for the project.

Galvante, GMA 7 senior vice president for Entertainment TV, told Inquirer Entertainment on Tuesday she started getting “malicious” text messages from Rama two weeks ago. But, she said, “I never replied.”

Before this, the women were known to be pals and professional allies.

According to Galvante, “Let’s Celebrate” was originally set for Aug. 29 and 30, but the Big Dome was not available on said dates. “We didn’t look for another venue because GMA 7 has an existing agreement with the Araneta group,” she explained.

‘No malice’

“There was no malicious intent to pit Richard against Dingdong,” said Galvante. “That’s just [Rama’s] conclusion.”

Variety

Talk has it that Rama also threatened to pull out her son from GMA 7 as a result of the “incident.” Galvante said the network is prepared for such an eventuality. “But as far as we’re concerned, we have not violated our contract with Richard.”

Other industry leaders do not think this “face-off” and other similar situations, should be a problem at all.

Seiko Films producer Robbie Tan said it simply means “more choices” for the fans. “Variety [is good],” Tan said.

Concert promoter Danny Samonte, also known as Steve O’ Neal, did not see either side as suffering any adverse consequence because of the questioned scheduling. “The concert was only [for a night]. Fans have at least a week to see the movie.”

It was not even a problem of resources; the concert was free.

Tan said Rama should not raise such a ruckus. “If the movie is good, people will go and watch.”

Email mcruz@inquirer.com.ph