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After two decades of circulating online, one of Philippine showbiz’s most persistent urban legends has finally been put to rest—this time by the very woman who was supposedly at the center of it.
Influential businesswoman Vivian Yuchengco, Philippine Stock Exchange director and head of First Resources Management and Securities, has officially debunked the infamous “RCBC Elevator Scandal” linking her to actress Gretchen Barretto.
In a statement published by Bilyonaryo, Yuchengco minced no words in dismissing the long-standing rumor.
“The urban legend with Gretchen is fake news! And to the person who wrote it and used my face on it more than 20 years ago, I am not an old lady!!!” she declared.
The rumor, which emerged in the early 2000s, claimed that Gretchen Barretto allegedly ordered her bodyguards to remove an “old lady” from an RCBC Plaza elevator because she supposedly didn’t want company.
That “old lady,” according to the myth, was said to be the owner of the building, leading to Gretchen allegedly being banned from RCBC Tower and other establishments associated with the family.
For years, the public treated the tale as juicy showbiz lore—despite Gretchen herself having denied it as early as 2015.
The issue resurfaced this week after Gretchen’s sister, Optimum Star Claudine Barretto, reacted strongly to the revived rumor.
In a Facebook post, Claudine blasted those who continue to spread the false story: “Sisiraan nyo Ate ko. Ngayon alam nyo na FAKE NEWS! TAGAL NA NA CLEAR NI MADAM YAN! NAKINIG BA KAYO!!! ANG INGGIT NAKAKA MATAY!!!”
She also thanked supporters who defended her sister over the years.
“Mapatawad sana kayong lahat na nagkalat nyan! At sa mga nagtanggol sa Ate ko mula noon hanggang ngayon, may God bless each & everyone of u.”
With Yuchengco herself now addressing and slamming the rumor, the long-circulated scandal has been firmly shut down.
But if history is any indication, celebrity myths die hard—especially in the age of social media, where old chismis can resurface anytime with a single repost.
