Deniece Cornejo pushes rape complaint against Vhong Navarro but chooses to remain silent in the premiere of her documentary film ‘Broken Halleluyah’
Controversial model Deniece Cornejo hogged the headline recently when she filed another rape complaint against comedian-TV host Vhong Navarro.
This was after her second rape case was dismissed after three years ago.
It could be recalled that Navarro was involved in a mauling incident in 2014 with businessman Cedric Lee and his cohorts at a condominium in BGC, following Cornejo’s accusation of an attempted rape.
Later on, Cornejo filed a second case against the dancer-actor claiming that he raped her during their first meeting in January of that year and during their second meeting.
In her new complaint, Cornejo, claimed that due to her “confusion and trauma” and the “rush to indict the respondent” she signed the “erroneous” first complaint-affidavit prepared by her former lawyer “without complete reading and fully understanding.”
She clarified also that the said first complaint did not include the fact that she was raped on January 17 which is vital to the case.
For her part, Deniece says that she did not break her silence to spark publicity for her movie “Broken Halleluyah.”
She said she is not even very keen on pursuing a career in showbiz.
“Before pa naman, kilala ko na iyong producer. Doon sa ginawa kong comedy na “Tokhang,” nakilala ko rin si Direk. Ito namang sa “Broken Halleluyah,” it’s a documentary film at napakaganda ng intensyon ng pelikula, so kaya ko siya tinanggap,” she said.
“Iyong pag-arte ko, hindi naman siya iyong tuloy-tuloy na. Hindi ko naman talaga papasukin ang showbiz kaya lang hindi ko lang natanggihan iyong proyekto. Maganda kasi iyong role.”
Deniece portrays the role of the wife of a dedicated NBI man played by Rob Sy in the Roland Sanchez megger.
The movie “Broken Halleluyah” is the director’s systematic investigative journey into the world of human trafficking.
Based on true events, it unapologetically unveils the atrocities committed by soul-less people who ply this trade and the ordeals the victims undergo especially the hapless women who experience being drugged and gang-raped by these syndicates as depicted in the film.
Loaded with metaphysical meaning, the title indicates that all, including evil men have their own shares of broken hallelujahs.
According to Deniece, she can relate well to the story of the film.
“I can relate kasi ang buhay ko naman is an open book sa lahat. Relatable naman iyong pelikula dahil totoo siyang nangyayari at based siya sa true events so kahit sino makaka-relate,” she explained.
As an alleged rape victim herself, she is thankful that the roles of any of the rape victims did not fall on her lap.
“It’s a very sensitive topic and I don’t want to talk about or tackle it. Ako naman, mataas ang pagrespeto ko sa producer at sa lahat ng involved sa production,” she said.
She also believes that trials can be an opportunity for growth.
“Sa mga pinagdaanan ko, it made me a better and stronger person,” she quipped.
“I came from a Christian family so, hindi naman nawawala iyong spirituality, at whether may pagsubok man o wala, kailangan lang talaga tayong kumapit sa Diyos,” she pointed out.
Between doing a drama and comedy, Deniece prefers doing the latter.
“Mas natural kasi siyang gawin at wala siyang stress, so mas nae-enjoy ko ang comedy,” she said.
Deniece recently attended a workshop in Cinemalaya.
More than acting, she is more interested in pursuing a career in directing and filmmaking.
Aside from Deniece, “Broken Halleluyah” also stars Rob Sy, Elisa Pineda, Jeff Gaitan, Kyline Alcantara, Kate Brios, Bani Baldisserim, Vic Romano, Federico Leop, Leon Miguel and a lot more.
It is written, produced and directed by NBI man turned filmmaker Roland Sanchez.
