It may have been years since the big controversy between actor Anjo Yllana and the Padilla brothers happened but the comedian finally spoke about it in detail only three decades later.
Back then, the feud got so out of hand that rumors of Yllana’s house being shot profusely by the Padillas even came out. This time, the comedian sets the record straight as to what really happened.
It can be remembered that in 1994, a controversy that started in the set of defunct hit ‘90s sitcom “Palibhasa Lalake” ensued between him and Rustom Padilla which later involved the Padilla brothers. Eventually, they ended up in court.
Image: Screen grab from “Palibhasa Lalaki” episodes via Jeepney TV YouTube
Rustom was then among the most sought-after leading men, he was in a relationship with “Palibhasa Lalake” main cast Carmina Villaroel. The two were obviously serious with each other but even then, questions about his sexuality kept occupying conversations especially within showbiz.
What happened
In a recent interview on entertainment reporter-turned-vlogger Morly Alinio’s Youtube channel, Yllana recounted the scene that started everything
Giving context as to how the production worked, Yllana said it was their assistant director, the late Boyong Baytion who prepares the script and rehearses them first before the director, Johnny Manahan comes down to take the scene.
Sometimes, the AD would add lines, Yllana recalled. In that rehearsal, he was told to say one line that would blow up the controversy.
Unknowing about the issue behind it, Yllana was tasked to say, “Si Rustom ay ba…” and put his hand on his mouth before finishing the sentence.
Knowing it was only a rehearsal and not an actual take yet, he followed the director. Upon dropping the line, mad laughter was shared by the cast.
“Iba kasi ang take, ‘pagkasi take na magiisip ka muna, teka direk baka naman masama ‘yung sasabihin kong ‘yan diba kasi wala naman akong nababasang ganyan. Dun ka pa lang papalag pero ‘yung rehearsal joke joke lang kayo non eh, aga pa,” he said.
Unfortunately, it was heard by Villaroel’s make-up artist who rushed to the dressing room to tell the actress what he heard. Rustom, at that time, was in the dressing room too.
Yllana recalled that Villaroel walked out after hearing it.
Gun shooting?
Incidentally, Yllana and Robin were almost next door neighbors in Fairview in Quezon City. The Padilla brothers, Robin and the late Royette, came to Rustom’s defense.
The former Paranaque City Vice Mayor however was tight-lipped as to the truth behind the rumored shooting.
When asked about it, he simply said, “no comment.”
Yllana said he understands however if Rustom’s brothers behaved the way they did since he would have done the same if his brothers were in a similar situation.
The controversy got bigger and bigger, they ended up in court. Other personalities also got involved to help patch them up such as the late Rudy Fernandez, a first cousin of the Padillas.
The rising tension in their neighborhood had Yllana decide to move his family to Paranaque.
“Siguro mas maganda habang wala pang dumadanak na dugo, lumipat na tayo,” he remembered telling his family.
All’s well that ends well
Now, Yllana and Robin have patched things up and even developed a strong friendship.
“Si Robin, very friendly sakin si Robin,” he said.
“Bespren kami ni Robin ngayon pag nagkikita kami. Tol nga ang tawag namin sa isa’t isa eh,” he said.
Decades later, Rustom would admit being gay and later on transition into transwoman BB Gandanghari.
