Pia Wurtzbach apologizes to Ricky Lee for 'hawi' incident at book fair

Pia Wurtzbach has apologized to Ricky Lee after he was pushed away by her security personnel during the Manila International Book Fair.

The incident was caught on video, which showed the beauty queen greeting the national artist but one of her body guards separated them.

In the "Today's Talk" segment of Wednesday's "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda " episode, the King of Talk said Pia has already contacted the National Artist.

"Nag-reach out na si Pia, even if it was not Pia's fault, to apologize, to say sorry na nangyari ito," Tito Boy said.

"Naayos na ito pero leksyon po sa atin, dahil importante na tinatrato natin [ng maayos] ang number one, seniors. Number two, this was a book fair, this was a cultural event," Boy said.

In an interview with PEP.ph, Ricky said the guard was a bit rude and could have been more gracious in his treatment of anyone in that situation.

"Hindi kinakailangan na senior or hindi kinakailangang National Artist. Pero kung may taong nilapitan din ni Pia, kinamayan pa ni Pia, respetuhin niya [guard] 'yung tao at si Pia, kasi kilala ni Pia," he said.

"Pero hindi niya kailangang hawiin kasi si Pia mismo ang lumapit at nakipag-usap. So, kawalang respeto 'yon hindi lang sa akin kundi kay Pia. Hindi in-acknowledge ng guard na in-acknowledge ako ni Pia."

Ricky was named National Artist of the Philippines for Film and Broadcasting Arts last year. He is the author of "Para Kay B," "Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata," and other books.

Meanwhile, Pia was at the book fair to promote her debut novel "Queen of the Universe: A Novel: Love, Truth, Beauty."

—Hermes Joy Tunac/MGP, GMA Integrated News