DIREK MATTI'S WORD VS LOVI POE DRAW FLAK

MANILA - A group of talent managers expressed support for Lovi Poe after director and producer Erik Matti unleashed a tirade against the actress on social media.

Poe, who played one of the major characters in Matti's 2012 movie, ''Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles,'' had been set to return to the film's sequel, ''Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles''.

However, Matti said they had a hard time getting Poe to return to the film even if they have a ''solid contract''.

''For months now, we, the producers and the production have been struggling to negotiate with Lovi and her managers to shoot the opening sequence. Over a month ago, we got word that she does not want to do it because it was just for two days. We dangled every possible option just to get her to agree with us EVEN WHEN WE HAVE A SOLID CONTRACT TO HOLD HER UP TO THIS 2nd film, but she and her manager Leo Dominguez still said no. (Even if, by the way, our new lead actress, Isabelle Daza is also coming from the same manager),'' Matti said in a Facebook post.

The director said they tried all the possible options just to get Poe to join the movie, but the actress' camp just said no.

However, he said: ''The final straw that made us decide it would be impossible to get Lovi Poe to do the role was when they said yes but demanded a ridiculous amount of money for it. There I realized, 't...[EXPLETIVE.--Eds], wala talagang plano 'tong Lovi na 'to na gawin 'tong sequel. Huhuthutan lang kami nito na parang nangongotong na pulis!'''

Matti's choice of words drew flak from the Professional Artists Managers, Inc. (PAMI) who called the director's statement arrogant and reckless.

Poe's talent manager, Leo Dominguez, is a member of the PAMI.

''After careful deliberation, PAMI expressed its support to Dominguez and condemned the reckless, arrogant, and vulgar statements of Matti in his social media account,'' the statement read.

PAMI's meeting was attended by Dominguez, Dolor Guevarra, Ethel Ramos, Norma Japitana, Girlie Rodis, Aster Amoyo, Malou Choa Fagar, Popoy Caritativo, Carlo Orosa, Veana Fores, Manny Valera, June Torrejon Rufino, Shirley Kuan, Ricky Gallardo, Angge Lee, Arnold Vegafria, Chit Ramos, Bettina Aspillaga and Rowena Salido.

Meanwhile, one of the film's producers, Dondon Monteverde, backed Matti and said the director has the right to his freedom of expression.

''I totally understood what Erik felt when he posted that Facebook complaint about Lovi and Leo. The Aswang Chronicles is blood, sweat and tears not just for me and Erik, but for everyone involved in it,'' he said in a Facebook post.

''As for the final words of Erik Matti that I do not wish to repeat again, I always put in perspective what I learned from the best. My mother, Mother Lily, is all heart when it comes to fighting for her passion and her right. Something wrong was done to me and Erik as producer and director. I totally respect the opinion of my friend, Erik. What he said may be a bit harsh, but he has every right to his freedom of expression. To some, or to most even, it may be unpopular, but his honest, irreverent burst of anger straight from the heart, is something that I fully respect.''

SOURCE: ABS-CBN