Alden Richards asserts ‘I am a good person’ amid controversy

Alden Richards declared that he is a “good person” and urged others to protect their kindness amid the controversy he’s facing.

Richards made the remarks as he opened the Hero For All 2026 awards ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 25, in Ortigas. 

“I really do believe that if there’s one thing I’m proud of, sabihin n’yo nang mayabang ako pero alam ko at the end of the day, I am a good person. No one can take that away,” he said. 

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“And I’m sure gusto ko ganu’n din ‘yung maging mindset ng mga heroes natin, na you can be proud to tell the world that you’re a good person,” he added.

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READ: Alden Richards emotional recalling ‘failed’ relationships, lack of self love in ‘GGV’

Richards’ remarks came after content creator Xian Gaza accused the actor of refusing to vacate a condominium allegedly lent to him by a wealthy business couple during the pandemic, despite repeated requests from the owners.

Gaza also alleged that Richards had failed to return six luxury watches worth millions of pesos, purportedly borrowed from the couple’s collection.

While he did not comment on the allegations, Richards reflected on kindness and selflessness during the ceremony, saying that good deeds should not be motivated by the expectation of receiving something in return.

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“I do believe that we always get what we deserve, may it be good or bad. May ginawa tayong mabuti, expect one way or another, I’m not saying na, ‘Ah, kailangan ko gumawa ng mabuti kasi I need to expect something in return.’ No,” he said.

“Do good without expectations of it returning to you, kasi one way or another, it will find its way back to you. You do bad, and you know what will happen,” added the Kapuso star.

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At the end of the ceremony, Richards paused to hold back his tears and left the audience with a simple remark, saying, “Let’s change the world with one act of kindness at a time.”

Spearheaded by Richards through his AR Foundation in partnership with a gaming platform, Hero For All 2026 honored 20 unsung Filipino heroes from various sectors, including education, healthcare, animal welfare, Indigenous Peoples communities and overseas Filipino worker welfare.

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Among the awardees was singer Jonalyn Viray, who was honored for giving rescued animals a second chance. She transformed a farm property into an animal shelter that now cares for more than 70 rescued cats and dogs. /edv