John denies bullying Melai

John Prats still doesn’t understand why fellow Kapamilya artist Jason Francisco punched him on the face weeks ago for  reportedly teasing the latter’s ex-girlfriend Melai Cantiveros.

While John admits he and his “Banana Split” costars always joke around, he maintained that he doesn’t bully Melai.

“We don’t do that (bullying) here in ‘Banana.’ Even si Melai, sabi niya, ‘Oo nga Kuya John.’ Tropa kasi tayo. Kapag tropa normal na nagkakaroon ng asaran. Tinanong ko siya ‘Melai ikaw ba napipikon ba?’ Sabi niya hindi talaga and lambing natin sa bawat isa iyon eh,” John said in an interview on “The Buzz” on Sunday, April 7.

Surprised Melai

John added that the incident between him and Jason  caught Melai by surprise. Despite what happened, John and Melai remain in good terms.

“Sinabi niya na ‘Kuya John, hindi ko talaga alam kung bakit ganoon, kung saan nanggaling ang reaction ni Jason na ganoon.’ Sobra daw siyang na-shock kasi hindi pa raw sila nakakapag-usap. Dumalaw kasi si Jason that time, so tinanong ko, ‘Anong nangyari, nag-away ba?’ Sabi niya, ‘Hindi, galing ako sa van, nakita ko siya papasok ng Music Museum. Pagpasok ko hindi kami nag-usap at all. He went straight to you at ginawa na niya iyon,’” he said.

John also doesn’t understand where Jason was coming from, since it’s been years since he (Jason) left  “Banana Split.” They also worked together in various projects, such as “Happy, Yipee, Yehey” and “Angelito.”

“It’s not bullying eh. It’s an asaran between tropa. Sa tinagal ng ‘Banana’, first time sa aming nangyari ito. Ang gumawa pa nito ay two years nang wala sa amin. Ako sa sarili ko alam kong wala akong ginawa sa kanya kaya nakakaharap ako ng maayos sa kanya,” John said.

He added, “That day after the incident, nung tinawagan siya ni Jason Gainza, tinanong siya bakit ginawa iyon, sabi niya, ‘Hindi ko alam.’ Nag-snap daw siya. Sabi pa niya ‘Kung gusto mo balik ako diyan, gulpihin ako ni Kuya John.’ It’s not about that. It’s not about getting even.”

John is still talking to lawyers about possible charges to file  against Jason.

Read related story: John Prats to sue Jason Francisco

“Parang gusto ko nang magpatawad but yung half of me parang ganoon na lang ba? Minsan kasi kapag sobrang mabait ka, minsan parang naabuso ka. Palalampasin mo na lang ba yung nangyari? Magulo pa ngayon. But we are still talking with the lawyers and titignan namin kung anong magandang options.”

In a separate interview on “The Buzz,” Jason  discussed the  “bullying” issue.

“Hindi naman talaga totally bullying. Siguro kapag may bago ganyan talaga, pero alam ko naman talaga, kasi ayan yung barkada na tinatawag. Masyado kasi akong tahimik. Siguro akala nila hindi ako nakikisama, kaya minsan pina-prank nila ako.”

Jason knows jokes and pranks are normal  among peers, but he hopes to spare Melai.

“Kaya ko tanggapin lahat ng jokes, lahat ng pranks basta huwag lang kay Melissa (Melai’s real name). Parati ko nga sinasabi na iba ang nakakatawa sa pinagtatawanan talaga. Lagyan lang natin ng limit at respeto kasi babae pa din iyan,” he said.

Jason asked  John and the “Banana Split” management to forgive and understand him. Jason also hopes to talk to John soon to fix their rift.

“Humihingi ako ng paumanhin sa pangyayari kasi hindi ko naman iyon ginusto. Hindi naman ako ganoong tao. Hindi ko naman gagawin 'yon ng walang reason. Alam ko namang mali ang ginawa ko. Ang hinihintay ko na lang ay makausap si kuya John para mas maintindihan namin ang mga pangyayari.”

After the interview on “The Buzz,” Jason sent a tweet to further explain his side.

Also watch: Melai Cantiveros, Only on OMG!