Enpress condemns Tikoy Aguiluz's act of violence

The Entertainment Press Society sent PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) a copy of its official statement through email regarding the tiff that happened between director Tikoy Aguiluz and entertainment columnist Danny Vibas on October 26 at the Gateway Mall, Cubao, Q.C. The following is the official statement of Enpress: "The Entertainment Press Society (ENPRESS) condemns in the strongest terms the act of physical violence inflicted by director Tikoy Aguiluz against Enpress member and columnist Danny T. Vibas which happened on October 26, at the Gateway Mall where the Dekada Cinemanila International Film Festival is going on. "Director Tikoy Aguiluz punched the veteran writer and columnist which caused his lip to bleed and his cheek to swell. "The director was reacting for his imagined slur on Cinemanila which the columnist supposedly wrote at the Manila Times some three years ago when he was still assistant entertainment editor of the said paper. "According to the veteran writer, Direk Tikoy even offered him and his companion snacks. While they were eating, the director entered another room, presumably to get a press kit for him. When he got back, and without provocation, he suddenly pushed Danny (who had his back towards Tikoy) who he fell from his chair. And then Tikoy, who was leaning over him, started throwing punches at him, saying "Lumaban ka." "Taken aback, Danny was too surprised to react. "I told Tikoy, ‘What's happening? Why are you doing this?' When he asked me to fight back, I told him, ‘What for?' I don't even know the reason why he suddenly got mad at me," he related. "Danny was sprawled on the carpet for nearly a minute while Tikoy was leaning over him. All the time that Tikoy was throwing punches, Danny kept on asking him what's happening and why is he hitting him. But he was able to pick himself up and it was then he realized that left side of his lip was bleeding. "Later, Tikoy told Danny he suddenly saw black and that's what caused him to hit him. When finally sobered up, Tikoy said what he did was a reaction to the alleged "maligning" write-ups which Danny wrote about Cinemanila three years ago when he was still with Manila Times. Danny countered he hasn't written anything derogatory regarding Cinemanila. He even told Tikoy to send him back through email the said derogatory write-ups he was referring to. "After the said outburst, the filmmaker apologized to Danny. He said he himself didn't know what happened to him and why he reacted that way. In fact, Tikoy said he was even planning to give Danny a press kit but when he saw his name, he suddenly saw black that led to the sudden fit of violence. "Danny said he doesn't plan to do anything against the director for what happened although he told him that Tikoy's sudden outburst could have given him (Danny) a heart attack which could have been fatal. Tikoy, in turn, said Danny's supposed write-ups also nearly gave him a heart attack. "No matter the agony the said write-ups may have caused Direk Tikoy, an act of violence is totally uncalled for. The Entertainment Press Society, of which Danny Vibas is a member, condemns Director Tikoy Aguiluz's act of violence. We demand no less than a public apology for what he did." At press time, PEP is trying to get a reaction from director Tikoy Aguiluz. - Philippine Entertainment Portal