THE camp of Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray has addressed speculation surrounding viral photos showing the beauty queen and actor Sam Milby together, saying the two celebrities just happened to be guests at a recent gathering.
Cornerstone Entertainment founder Erickson Raymundo, in a statement first reported by PEP.ph, clarified the circumstances that led to Gray and Milby being photographed by a fan whose post of the snaps was picked up by a gossip blog.
The photos indicate an apparent interaction between Milby, who had on a cap and gray shirt, and Gray, who was wearing a face mask and red sweater.
Raymundo is the long-time talent manager of Milby, and the local business manager of Gray. As Miss Universe, Gray is under contract with New York-based IMG, which handles her international appearances.
It was through Raymundo’s Cornerstone that Gray released her single “We’re In This Together,” which raised funds for her advocacy group Young Focus, prior to her Miss Universe coronation in December.
Gray returned to Manila for a charity event and spent the holidays here after the pageant in Bangkok.
She flew for New York, the official residence of Miss Universe, on Wednesday.
According to Raymundo, the event which both Gray and Milby attended happened during her “very brief break” in the Philippines, before officially starting her reign.
He said he invited Gray and her family to “visit our farm in Tanay as I have promised them even before the Miss Universe pageant.”
“I also invited one of my talents, Sam Milby, on the same day since it happened to fall on his free day from shooting so he can see personally the gift I gave him from the farm early on as a Christmas gift. I also invited other friends.
“It was a good coincidence since both personalities are good acquaintances and happened to go to the same church and belong in the same bible study group,” Raymundo explained.
The talent manager added: “Her visit in the farm was my personal treat for her before she fulfills her upcoming duties in New York.”
In recent televised interviews, Bondad has been vocal about his support for his girlfriend as well as his optimism as they now grapple with being based in different countries for work.
The 34-year-old Milby, currently seen in the hit drama “Halik,” has similarly been open about his personal life since joining showbiz in 2005.
He has said he is currently single. (ABS-CBN News)
