Erich Gonzales’ billboard suitor called a ‘scammer,’ ‘hokage’

July 4, 2017 - 9:05 PM
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Actress Erich Gonzales with businessman Xian Gaza in a January 5 photo. Right, a billboard in Morayta shows Xian Gaza's coffee date proposal for Erich. (Photos from Xian's Instagram)

A man who publicly asked Erich Gonzales to have a coffee date with him is drawing a lot of flak on social media for his unusual way of reaching out to the actress.

The man identified on his Facebook and Instagram pages as Xian Gaza, an “angel investor and CEO of the Hong Kong-based Guanxiqian Group posted a photo and video of a billboard in Morayta, Manila last Sunday.

The billboard was specifically addressed to Erich and said, “I can’t even espresso how much I like you a latte. Will you drink coffee with me?”

“They say it’s first time in Philippine history. I say: That’s how special you are to me. @erichgg , will you drink coffee with me?,” he further reiterated in the text that accompanied his post.

That same day, Gaza again posted a photo of him with Erich who he revealed he first encountered personally during the last full show screening of “Assassin’s Creed” last January 5.

“[M]uch to my surprise you were seated right there in front of me along with some other four. After the movie, I mustered all courage I had up my sleeve in order to approach you and took this very selfie so that I may remember that magical moment. You, being kind, happily obliged. At that moment, you had left a massive imprint on my heart. You left me mesmerized,” he posted.

“I don’t wanna portray sainthood nor pretend to be one in your eyes. Yes, I’m a typical bachelor who tries to meet and mingle with some girls but there are two factors why nothing shall really work out that time. First, I’m on my ‘moving on’ stage and second is without your knowledge, you really touched a portion of my heart that even myself can’t describe nor put it into words. Half of 2017 had passed now and I made 29 flights to numerous locations taking that “Uptown Mall Cinema Moment” with me, and so with you who never left my mind.”

Among those whose attention was caught by Gaza’s billboard stunt was Darla Sauler, best known as Kris Aquino’s sidekick in her defunct morning show, “KrisTV.” Sauler promptly messaged Erich about Gaza’s proposal. Erich, who was currently out of the country, sent this reply.

“Hi Darls!!! 🙂 How are you? Hahaha!!! Ang cute ng effort ni Kuya. It’s fine. Let’s see when I get back. There’s nothing wrong naman if we talk over coffee, pero dapat kasama ka. Hahaha!!! See you soon Darls!”

Gaza didn’t stop there. The following day, he posted another photo of himself this time with a child that he called his son. Responding to the bashers who posted their displeasure and disapproval towards his billboard stunt, Gaza wrote, “I’m a bachelor and very single but yes, I have a son and I am a very proud father. I’m a perfectly imperfect person with a past full of flaws and if you will judge me for that, you have all the rights in the world to throw stones at me.”

“I would rather be hated for who I really am rather than be loved for who I am not. All I want is to be genuinely happy in life and Erich Gonzales is what my heart truly desires.”

Just how “perfectly imperfect with a past full of flaws” this Gaza is?

A Twitter user named Dewanie Catapang called Gaza “a scammer” and a social media “hokage” (an urban Filipino slang meaning a perverted man who tries everything to get a woman) posted a series of tweets Tuesday to support his assertions.

In addition to Gaza’s alleged anomalous transactions, Catapang also tweeted that Erich is not the first celebrity that Gaza tried to pursue via social media.

Gaza had yet to respond to Catapang’s tweets as of posting time.