MANILA – John Prats denied allegations that he bullied his fellow “Banana Split” star Melai Cantiveros, causing comedian Jason Francisco to punch him in the face thrice last March 21.
In an interview with “The Buzz” aired on Sunday, Prats said he never bullied Cantiveros or anyone in “Banana Split” because they treat each other like family.
“We don’t do that here in ‘Banana.’ Tropa kasi kami eh. Kapag tropa normal na nagkakaroon ng asaran. Tinanong ko siya ‘Melai ikaw ba napipikon ba?’ Sabi niya hindi talaga and lambing natin sa bawat isa iyon eh,” he said.
Prats said even Cantiveros herself was surprised that Francisco attacked him.
“Sinabi niya na ‘Kuya John hindi ko talaga alam kung saan nanggaling ang reaction ni Jason na ganun.’ Sobra daw siyang na-shock kasi hindi pa raw sila nakakapag-usap. Dumalaw kasi si Jason that time so tinanong ko, anong nangyari, nag-away ba? Sabi niya ‘Hindi kuya galing ako sa van, nakita ko siya papasok ng Music Museum. Pagpasok ko hindi kami nag-usap at all. He went straight to you at ginawa na niya 'yun,’” he shared.
Prats said it also bothers him that the incidents which Francisco referred to as “bullying” happened two years ago when he was still part of the show.
“Kung kahapon iyon or during that time, maiinitindihan ko. Pero two years ago iyon, umalis siya sa ‘Banana,’ nagkatrabaho kami sa 'Happy Yipee Yehey,' nag-'Angelito' pa kami, saan siya nanggagaling? Bakit ako?” he said referring to the now defunct lunchtime show and afternoon drama series, which both featured Prats and Francisco.
“Ako sa sarili ko alam kong wala akong ginawa sa kanya kaya nakakaharap ako ng maayos sa kanya. That day after the incident, nung tinawag siya ni Jason Gainza, tinanong siya bakit ginawa iyon, sabi niya, ‘Hindi ko alam.’ Nag-snap daw siya. Sabi pa niya ‘Kung gusto mo balik ako diyan, gulpihin ako ni Kuya John.’ It’s not about that. It’s not about getting even,” he added.
Despite this, Prats said he is still not sure if he’s going to file charges against Francisco.
“Parang gusto ko nang magpatawad but 'yung half of me parang ganun na lang ba? Minsan kasi kapag sobrang mabait ka, minsan naabuso ka. Palalampasin mo na lang ba? Magulo pa ngayon. But we are still talking with the lawyers and titignan namin kung anong magandang options. Ayaw ko na pag-usapan but I have to explain my side,” he said.
Meanwhile, Francisco, in a separate interview, said he only wishes to talk to Prats to personally explain his side.
“Kaya ko tanggapin lahat ng jokes, lahat ng pranks basta huwag lang kay Melissa. Parati ko nga sinasabi na iba ang nakakatawa sa pinagtatawanan talaga. Lagyan lang natin ng limit at respeto kasi babae pa din iyan,” he said.
“Bigyan mo ako ng chance na makausap ka. Kilala mo naman ako, hindi naman ako ganyang tao. Alam natin sa isa’t isa kung bakit ko nagawa iyan. Sana bigyan mo ako ng chance,” he added.
Cantiveros, on the other hand, refused to grant any media interviews, saying she only wants this issue to end soon.
