Maloi of the P-pop girl group BINI has firmly denied rumors linking her romantically to singer-songwriter Rico Blanco, clarifying that they met for the first time in January.
Speculation started after a video surfaced on social media showing Maloi and Blanco crossing a street in La Union earlier this year. The clip quickly went viral, with some viewers suggesting they were holding hands. However, Maloi explained that they were part of a larger group, which included artists Zild Benitez, Blaster Silonga, Agnes Reoma, and Pat Lasaten.
During an interview on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” on January 31, Maloi addressed the rumors head-on when asked how she deals with fake news. “As a public figure, fake news will always be there. Some people will always create stories, but I think it just shows that you’re relevant,” she said. “Just go on with your life, do what you love, as long as you’re not stepping on anyone.”
Maloi emphasized that while she and her group have no control over such gossip, she hopes people will “stop spreading fake news this 2025.”
Regarding the viral photo, she clarified that what looked like them holding hands was simply a “bad angle.” She added, “That was actually the first time I met Rico Blanco. My friends are also his friends.”
Maloi also called out media outlets for using misleading headlines, pointing out that many people only read titles without checking the full story. “As Filipinos, sometimes whatever headline we read, we believe it right away. Not everyone reads the full article,” she noted.
To prevent further confusion, Maloi promptly addressed the rumor on her X (formerly Twitter) account, saying she wanted to clear things up before the situation escalated. Rico Blanco has not publicly commented on the matter.