NEWSFLASH

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GLORIA SEVILLA TO LEAH -- SHUT UP!

Manila, July 27, 1998 - When will Leah Navarro get over her broken romance with Mat Ranillo III? Even before she does, will she at least stop talking publicly about it?

These are the questions that bother the mother and sister of Mat, who have come to his defense after Leah gave yet another explosive interview touching on the "Mat affair."

In an article published by the Manila Times, actress Gloria Sevilla, Mat's mother has let it be known how angry she is about Leah's digging up the past all over again during the Canada-based singer's interview with Boy Abunda on GMA-7's Startalk.

In that interview, Leah once again "revealed" how Gloria Sevilla broke her heart more than 20 years ago by telling the singer that her love affair with Mat Ranillo, then a young actor, was nothing more than a showbiz set-up to help along the actor's career.

Although Gloria has never confirmed or denied Leah's allegations, the Visayan veteran actress advised that Leah should have the decency to shut up because the incident happened more than two decades ago. Gloria also claims that the romance was at a time when Mat was at the height of stardom and did not need to ride on the popularity of anybody.

"Huwag niya akong gamitin, pare-pareho na kaming laos," Gloria warned. Suzette Ranillo, now a producer, is also furious. "Kung gusto ni Leah ng away, hindi ko siya uurungan."

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