John Lapus defends beleaguered director-friend

Comedian and TV host John Lapus proved to be a true friend by coming to the defense of his beleaguered colleague, direk Andoy Ranay.

Ranay is currently in the eye of controversy for alleged verbal abuse of young actor Jake Vargas during the taping of “First Time.” According to reports, the director shouted obscene words at Jake when the actor failed to follow his instructions.

Jake's father heard Ranay's alleged vulgarity and complained to his son’s manager German Moreno, who confronted Ranay on the set the next day.

The issue is now being handled by the legal department of GMA-7.

“Kilala ko ‘yang si Andoy, expressive ‘yan. Most likely, it’s (just) an expression. Siguro naging malala lang dahil may nakarinig na tao or something. ‘Di ba parang ganoon ‘yon eh. But I’m pretty sure direk Andoy would not say like that directly to any other person, to a teenager or to a kid for that matter,” Lapus said of Ranay during the press conference for “Pilyang Kerubin.” The TV series is directed by Ranay but he was a no-show at the media huddle that day.

Best friends since college, Lapus feels Ranay is not affected by the brouhaha he got embroiled in.

“Kung affected man siya, he can manage it. Kaya niya ‘yan, matapang ‘yan.

"At saka pareho kami niyan, eh. We’ll just get ourselves busy kung meron kaming mga issue, gano’n. Basta ang importante, we are here to support each other.

"To be honest, siguradong-sigurado ako na it’s just an expression and he doesn’t mean any harm. Maganda nga na nag-apologize na siya. Sana matapos na ‘yung issue, matapos na ang gulo.”

Lapus said he prays for the issue to subside. He has even lit a candle for Ranay to have peace of mind.

What advice has he given Andoy?

“Kami ni Andoy kasi...‘Di ba sa mga kaibigan, merong kaibigan na tagapayo? Kami ni Andoy, sa barkada namin, kami ang pinakabunso. So, sanay kami na kami ang ina-advice-an, kami ang pinapagalitan.

“So, ngayong si Andoy ang may issue, hindi ko makuha na advice-an siya or even pagsabihan siya kasi magka-level kami, pareho kaming bunso. Ano ang karapatan kong magbigay ng payo? I’m sure naman na ‘yung mga nakakatanda, sina Eugene Domingo, kinausap na siya at binigyan na siya ng payo. But we don’t talk about it.”