When asked by the Buzz, the actor is also noncommittal with his answers regarding Mariel’s closeness with Jon Avila, saying that he is confident that his friendship with her won’t change even if she decides to become involved with someone. Curiously though, his attitude towards the issue is very much like Mariel’s. The latter insists that she wants to keep her special friend’s identity a secret despite Cristy Fermin and Ruffa Guittierez’s certainty that this guy is no less than Zandjoe himself. After all, she had shared a lot about herself already during her long vacation in Kuya’s abode, Mariel adds. What she can say though is the fact that she’s still confused with her real feelings towards her secret friend and ex-housemate.

In terms of the negative publicities from the tabloids as well as the public’s ugly feedback against her character, Mariel can only assert that she’s not perfect like everybody else. Aside from admitting flaws, she sincerely gives her apologies for being so tactless. But the truth is, she never meant to hurt anyone with her statements like "kadiri ang showbiz". She explains that it was just an expression and an opinion towards people in the industry who are plastic – something which she’s also sorry about, knowing she has no right to judge other people. Despite what happened, she insists that she’s still the sweet and decent girl we have known.

Moreover, Mariel clarifies that it was her task to be overly maarte and demanding to fully bring out the real personalities of the celebrity housemates whom she love with all her heart.