On December 6, American audio brand JBL created a sound fest to advertise their new ambassador, Cup of Joe, which happened at Parklinks Open Grounds, Pasig City. The fest was directed by Paolo Valenciano.

The invited performers were Kat DJ, Sean Archer, Fow G, Hori7on, Rico Blanco, and Cup of Joe.

The conflict was confirmed when Valenciano posted on Facebook, wherein he admitted that he lost control of the event, which caused major delays that amounted to an additional two hours of work for the production team.

Blanco’s team allegedly requested from the production that the singer should be the headliner of the fest.

“I sincerely apologize to our client JBL and to my brothers from Cup of Joe (who had to be picked up by motorcycles in traffic jams just to make their new call time),” he said in his post.

He confirmed and cleared the name of the band from the allegations that they were late to the Sound Fest. The last-minute change in the performance lineup caught the band off guard, which was the reason they needed to be picked up by motorcycles to make it on time.

The eldest son of Gary Valenciano expressed his feelings as “incredibly frustrating,” as it is his first time directing and working with the audio brand.

Rico Blanco has yet to release a statement about what happened at the fest. Though some of his fans defend him, saying that veterans should be given more highlights and deserve to be the headliner.

However, netizens pointed out that the fest was about advertising Cup of Joe as the new ambassador.

The director ended his post saying, “We learn new things every day and I know I still have a lot to improve!! To everyone who was there, super sorry. And to Rico, my hero, while I sincerely wish you the best, I’ve learned that we’re simply not meant to work together again.”