"I'd really like to thank GMA and Artist Center for helping me sa kaso," says Aljur. "Di nila talaga ko pinabayaan. Now, natanggalan ako ng bigat sa dibdib. Kasi noon, araw-araw kong inaalala ito kaya ngayon, puede na kog mag-focus totally sa work ko."
"But mind you, we didn't back up Aljur right away," says GMA Artist Center boss Ida Henares. "We investigated muna and talked to all the people with him in Puerto Galera last Holy Week to find out what really happened, kasi we don't want to defend someone na guilty pala. When we were assured that he's truly innocent, then we backed him up all the way and we're very happy for him that his name has now been cleared."
So what did he learn from the incident? "To be more careful. Umiwas na lang sa mga taong hindi mo talaga kilala." It's Holy Week again soon. Will he return to Puerto again? "Hindi na muna siguro. We're planning to go out of the country with Kris (Bernal.) But my family and I have really been spending Holy Week in Puerto since I was a little boy. Ngayon lang may nangyaring ganyan."
No sooner than his case was dismissed, there's another controversial report about him: that he's dating Maricel Sy, said to be a granddaughter of Henry Sy, and they were seen several times in a private restaurant. It's also said that he was given an expensive car, a BMW or a Prado. Aljur thought hard before answering. "Sino kaya yun? To begin with, I don't have an expensive car. But I did have dinner with a girl introduced to me by my dermatologist. Hindi ko lang matandaan ang pangalan. But it happened only once. Baka yun ang sinasabi nila, pero minsan ko lang siya nakita."
Right now, he's busy rehearsing for his birthday concert produced by Perry Lansigan, "I'm Yours", at Zirkoh Morato on March 26. "I'd be singing songs na ngayon ko pa lang kakantahin, like songs by Jason Mraz and John Mayer. I'm also rehearsing for my dance numbers kaya sana, panoorin ito ng mga tao."
His "Last Prince" is still rating high on GMA Telebabad. What's his next project after this? "Di ko pa alam. But I heard GMA got the rights to 'Machete'. Sana, yun ang ibigay nila sa'kin."
"Machete" had two hit film versions, one with Gardo Versoza and one with Cesar Montano. For Aljur's information, two other Kapuso actors are aspiring to bag this coveted project: Dingdong Dantes and Dennis Trillo. Personally, though, we think it fits Aljur best. Just like Gardo and Cesar, he's not tisoy but moreno, which is perfect for the story of the scantily clad ethnic statue that comes to life.
