Ricardo Cepeda reflects on 11-month detention: ‘Honestly, it's hard'
In Friday's 'Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,' Ricardo, accompanied by his partner Marina Benipayo, detailed the circumstances that led to his detention and the profound impact the experience had on him and his family.
'I was working with this company, sa isang direct selling company, and 'yung role ko in the company is a brand ambassador, a product ambassador. Which is I simply talk about my experiences using products that they distribute,' Ricardo said.
The actor said that he attended meetings and presentations, and he would give testimonials on stage.
'Nalaman namin na there were backdoor meetings, which he and the other speakers didn't know about,' Marina said.
Per Ricardo, operations like backdoor meetings and offering investments happened without his knowledge.
'Habang we're doing this presentation, merong ibang meeting in a private area,' he said.
Ricardo had previously said he was not connected to the company involved in the complaint, saying he was only an endorser of its products.
He was detained for 11 months, nine months of which were spent in Tuguegarao City in Cagayan and another two months in Quezon City.
'Honestly, it's hard. It's hard,' he told Tito Boy.
Ricardo, however, said that the experience did not break him. He added that he was grateful for the Philippine Military Academy training his dad put him through before as it felt like he was just doing beast barracks training all over again.
'We've always felt that there was, you know, it sounds cliche, pero everything happens for a reason. There's a plan,' he said.
He was able to continue communicating with his family, which provided some comfort.
'My biggest worry, Boy, was how this will affect them outside,' he said.
Marina said that she always made sure to visit Ricardo, even when he was detained in Tuguegarao.
'If I'm having a hard time, lalo na siya, 'di ba?' she said. 'I want to be there with him.'
The actor was released from detention and reunited with Marina last September.
—Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
12 hours ago
- GMA Network
AZ Martinez wishes ex-BF Larkin Castor the best: 'I want to focus more on myself, career'
AZ Martinez revealed in "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda" Wednesday that she has not been in contact with her ex-boyfriend, Larkin Castor, ever since she got out of Bahay ni Kuya. "Hindi na po kami nag-usap and right now focus talaga on what's ahead of me, but I wish him all the best talaga," she said. Tito Boy then brought up the letter that Larkin wrote for AZ while she was a housemate in "Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition," adding that he was hoping she and Larkin would have the chance to talk after the show. AZ, for her part, admitted that she is not ready to speak to him. "Honestly, Tito Boy as of now, I'm not ready yet to talk, I wanna focus muna on... Like I'm not ready to talk to him, but I want to focus more on myself and career," she said. In Larkin's letter, he told AZ how proud he was of her and that he was watching her journey in "PBB." He also told her that he has not given up waiting for her, that she should be happy, and that he loves her. Days later, AZ wrote him a letter in response, telling him that she is finally letting him go. "Kung gusto niya pa rin maghintay Kuya, that's his choice na. Pero ayoko na po siya kontrolin, ayoko na siya pilitin, ayoko na siya habulin or guluhin pa Kuya. Kasi alam ko mas masasaktan, mas masisira lang siya if I leave him hanging," AZ had told Kuya in the confession room. AZ and her Kapamilya duo River Joseph ended their "PBB" journey as the fourth big placers. Following her stint in the show, AZ made her return to music school. She is also set to appear in "Bubble Gang" soon. —CDC, GMA Integrated News
_2025_07_23_18_13_54.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
GMA Network
12 hours ago
- GMA Network
Does AZ Martinez think Ralph De Leon sent her romantic signals? Actress answers
Does AZ Martinez think Ralph De Leon sent her romantic signals? AZ appeared on Wednesday's 'Fast Talk with Boy Abunda' alongside her PBB duo, River Joseph, and she was asked about the varying interpretations of Ralph's behavior towards her, with some saying that he was romantic towards AZ. 'For me po, wala po talaga akong nakitang signal. I didn't get any mixed signals at all talaga kasi ever since after 'yung boys' night out, 'yung sa loob ng bahay ni Kuya, he cleared up everything to me,' AZ said. (For me, I'm not seeing any signals, I didn't get any mixed signals at all because ever since the Boys' Night Out inside the PBB house, he cleared up everything to me.) She appreciated Ralph's directness and how honest and straightforward he was with her about how he really feels. 'After the BNO, kinausap niya ako na he just wants me to know na may mga nasabi siya sa loob, 'yung confessions, gano'n niya. Pero he doesn't want me to think that there's more meaning to it,' AZ said. (After BNO, he talked to me. He just wants me to know about something while inside the house, in the confessions. But he doesn't want me to think that there's more meaning to it.) Per AZ, she was OK with the clarification. When asked if she was heartbroken over Ralph, AZ said no and explained the broken heart gesture she did was merely a joke. When asked if she liked Ralph, AZ said, 'I'm not sure if tatawagin kong like. Pero there were moments na kinilig din ako sa kanya. Kinilig. And I admire him for how he is.' (I'm not sure if it constitutes a like. But there were moments when I was kilig with him. I admire him for how he is.) AZ and Ralph are being shipped by the AzRalph fans because of their chemistry and frequent moments inside the PBB house. They started out as the RAZ duo, and their closeness eventually led to them getting teased often. Both of them later denied having feelings for each other, but how they acted towards each other when they got drunk made fans wish that the ship would sail. Following their exit from PBB, the two captured their first-ever selfie together outside the house, sparking kilig vibes among fans anew. They also made fans kilig with their first TikTok entry together, hopping on the "Lasik" trend song. In a previous interview, Ralph said he and AZ are 'very good friends' for now. — Carby Basina/LA, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
13 hours ago
- GMA Network
Susan Enriquez completes cooking course at 63: 'Yehey finally'
Susan Enriquez has completed her cooking course! On Facebook Wednesday, the 63-year-old "Unang Hirit" host shared her class photo with the Batch 33 of National Certificate II (NCII) in Cookery at the International School for Culinary Arts and Hotel Management. "Yehey finally," Susan wrote in the caption, followed by thumbs-up emojis. The NCII program, which comes with a TESDA National Certificate II, prepares students for entry-level employment as an assistant prep cook or line cook in several establishments, including restaurants, hotels, catering companies, cargo ships, and others. She also owns Balustre Cerca in Cavite where she often shares different dishes from the resort on her social media account. Susan is one of the mainstay hosts of "Unang Hirit," where she usually mans the kitchen segment and cooks several dishes. Aside from the Kapuso morning show, Susan also hosts "Dapat Alam Mo!" and is iconic for her shows "Kay Susan Tayo" and "iJuander." —Hermes Joy Tunac/CDC, GMA Integrated News
