Around GMA

Article Inside Page

Actress Matet de Leon has dismissed claims of a rift among her siblings, saying recent discussions surrounding their family have been blown out of proportion.

Speaking on i-Listen with Kara David, Matet clarified that what some people perceive as a conflict is merely a misunderstanding.

“Actually hindi nga siya, alitan ba 'yon? Parang misunderstanding. Medyo hindi lang nagkakaintindihan nang slight,” she said.

Matet also stressed that there has never been any sense of hierarchy among Nora Aunor's children, saying they were all treated equally by the late Superstar.

“Pare-parehas ang trato sa amin ni mommy eh. Pare-parehas lang kami. Magkakapatid.”

The actress addressed renewed conversations online about who among them are the biological and adopted children of Nora, expressing frustration over what she described as unnecessary speculation.

“Alam niyo, Ms. Kara, tao lang ho ang gumagawa niyan. Tao lang ang nag-speculate. Tao lang ang nagkukulit. Actually kaya din ako nagagalit dahil napaka pakialamero,” she said.

According to Matet, she often finds herself speaking up on behalf of her siblings whenever issues involving their family arise.

“Ang sabi nila si Matet, putak nang putak kung ano-ano sinasabi. Sa limang magkakapatid, siya lang ang maingay, ako ang tagapagtanggol ng mga kapatid ko,” she said.

She added that her outspoken nature often stems from wanting to make sure her siblings are understood.

“Ang ate ko, napakasosyal. Statement in English. 'Ate, paano maiintindihan 'yan? Naka-English ka na naman.' So ako, magtatanggol sa kanila.”

Matet said she is willing to face criticism herself if it means shielding her siblings from negativity.

“Ako papatol, akin ang kahihiyan, akin ang away, sa akin na. Pero mga kapatid ko, ipagtatanggol ko 'yan.”

Despite public attempts to pit them against one another, Matet said she has no plans of staying silent.

“Ang mga tao, pilit kaming pinagsasabong with their words kahit na walang nagsasalita. But I will talk. Ako ang magtatanggol sa amin. I will not stop.”

She also shared that if Nora were still alive, the late actress would not want to see her children being drawn into controversy.

“Ayaw niya. Ayaw talaga niya. Gusto niya magkakasundo,” Matet said.

The issue resurfaced following discussions surrounding the first anniversary of Nora's passing, when speculation emerged about tension between her biological son, Ian de Leon, and her adopted children Lotlot, Matet, Kiko, and Kenneth.

Matet had previously responded to Ian's statement in an interview with Rico Hizon that he is Nora's sole legal heir. Speaking on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, she said there was never any question about the matter.

“Totoo naman po, e. Wala naman pong pagdududa du'n. Kumbaga kahit nga hindi na niya sabihin, e. Understandable, alam na po ng lahat 'yan,” Matet said.

RELATED GALLERY: Lotlot, Matet, Kiko de Leon celebrate youngest brother Kenneth's
wedding