Krista Ranillo in her FHM photo shoot. Photo by Jake Versoza.

MANILA - Family friends of actress Krista Ranillo denied rumors that boxer Manny Pacquiao and the actress openly carried on their alleged affair in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Krista, who is Pacquiao's co-star in the film "Wapakman," was in Las Vegas with her family for the much-awaited "Firepower" match between Pacquiao and Puerto Rican boxer Miguel Cotto on November 14.

Prior to this, Krista was also photographed in Baguio City during Pacquiao's pre-fight training. Pacquiao's manager said the actress was there as a member of "Team Pacquiao."

Carol Ong, a close friend of the Ranillo family, confirmed that Krista, her parents, and her siblings stayed at the Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas as early as 5 days before Pacquiao's fight against Cotto.

Entertainment reports alleged that Pacquiao paid for Ranillo's flight to Las Vegas and her stay at the hotel.

Typical business class tickets from Manila to the Los Angeles International Airport cost $2,900 (about P133,000), while a 3-night stay at a Luxor deluxe room starts at around $65 (P2,990) a night, according to the hotel's promo package.

The family reportedly watched Pacquiao's fight on pay-per-view.

No shopping spree for Krista

Manny Pacquiao (right) with his co-star Krista Ranillo (left) in the film "Whapakman."

However, Ong denied rumors that Krista and Pacquiao spent the night in her hotel room or that Krista went on a shopping spree at the Forum Shops in Ceasars Palace, courtesy of the boxer's largesse.

"The [Ranillo] family was here [in Las Vegas]. But I think we were together the entire time. My husband was with them the entire time, from morning to 12 [midnight], until 2 a.m.," she said.

The Luxor Hotel and Casino, at the south end of the Las Vegas Strip, is a stone's throw away from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, where Pacquiao and his entourage stayed. The two hotels are connected by a walkway.

Yohlie Maguerza, another friend of the Ranillos, said Krista had only gone window-shopping at the Forum Shops area, which has the best selection of shops in Las Vegas.

She added that the Ranillo family are "simple and God-fearing" folk who would never take on a lavish lifestyle.

"They are so simple. They don't even gamble and wala. Simpleng simple. They even had a haircut in a friend of ours, in the house," Maguerza said.

Only they know the truth

Maguerza also answered allegations that Krista's father, actor Matt Ranillo III, is tolerating the young actress's alleged affair with the pound-for-pound Champion.

"They are very close. And very sweet. Very close family. And very simple. That's why they were thinking, 'Does the father know? How come he tolerates (the rumored affair)?' I don't think so. Not their family. Matt is very religious," she said.

Ong and Maguerza said they feel sorry for Krista, who is currently the subject of media scrutiny over her alleged relationship with Pacquiao.

"I'm hurt too because I have my own kids who [are] the same age as theirs (Ranillo children). But again, who are we? The parents, we are just there to guide," Ong said. 

"Whatever our kids want, if that's what... makes them happy. But with every negative gossip, around them of course, it hurts. But only them (sic) knows the real thing," she added. Report from ABS-CBN News.