Filipino Boxing Champ Denies Affair With Starlet

November 24, 2009 2:48 p.m. EST

Manila, Philippines (AHN) - After several days of silence, Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao denied he is having an affair with movie starlet Krista Ranillo. Talks of a romantic liaison between Pacquiao and Ranillo - his co-star in a forthcoming movie - spread after pictures of the two were seen in various public events including Pacquiao's appearance in an American TV talk show.

On Tuesday, the seven-title boxing champ insisted he and Ranillo are just good friends. Pacquiao apologized to Ranillo's family, who are also in showbusiness, for dragging her name into the controversy.

Ranillo's family - which includes Visayan movie queen Gloria Sevilla (who is her grandmother), former matinee idol Matt Ranillo III (her father) and actress Suzette Ranillo (her aunt) - expressed relief at Pacquiao's statement and thanked him for clearing her name.

On Sunday, Pacquiao's wife Jinkee admitted she bumped into Ranillo at a Chanel shop in the U.S., but they did not exchanged words. However, she admitted she stared at the movie starlet whom Jinkee said was the first time she saw in person.

Ranillo is slated to arrive in Manila this week to resume her pending showbiz commitments and is expected to come up with a press conference to give her side of the issue. Pacquiao is back in General Santos City attending to his family and preparing for his political career and probably one of his biggest fights in his boxing career.