Czarina Faith Abuso

The real story behind the ‘husband-beater’ controversy surrounding Mel in “What Lies Beneath”

Article (news)

Rianna Mae Santiago

<p>“<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/what-lies-beneath" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>What Lies Beneath</em></u></strong></a>” keeps on subverting expectations and reveals an unreliable narrator in each episode.</p><p>In what appears to be a typical day for her, Erica Melendez (Kaila Estrada) is seen drinking in daylight when an unfamiliar man approaches her. Showing no hint of malice, he starts to woo Erica, whom he calls the defender of the poor and innocent.</p><div><iframe width="967" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y6CNmPqzdhU" title="Erica receives praise from a fan | What Lies Beneath (with English Subs)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>She dismisses the idea, insisting that she is not a saint to begin with, and hints that the two people who resent her are Edong and Lucas.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Anton Montenegro is actually a false victim</strong></div><p>Mel Montenegro’s (Sue Ramirez) PR team (Dingdong Bahan and Patrick Ramirez) remains engaged in addressing the controversy about her being a husband-beater by starting a live video on social media where the couple are seen acting affectionate. Anton Montenegro (Jameson Blake) attempts to completely defuse the situation by telling the audience that Mel was not the cause of his black eye, but rather an incident that happened while surfing.</p><p>After the live event, the PR team reminds the two to keep up the act amid the public backlash until everything dies down. They also stress the need to avoid any bruises that could worsen the “<em>Mel as an abusive wife</em>” controversy. With a strange smile, Anton jokes that they should scold Mel instead, pointing out her hot-headed attitude toward him.</p><p>The PR team continues their conversation outside, both aware of Mel’s seemingly problematic personality, criticizing her way of talking to her mother-in-law, doubting whether the black eye was really her doing, and overall, the couple’s tendency to hide the truth.</p><div><iframe width="967" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Li3sLLixCbM" title="The whole story of the controversial video of Anton and Mel | What Lies Beneath (with English Subs)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Inside the mansion, the Montenegro couple converse, the tension between them rising with every second. Anton, putting on a gentle front, asks Mel why she can’t forgive him, even though he forgave her for the bruise she caused. Instead of responding, she grows more adamant about ending their marriage, claiming that she can live without his support, as she already had clients long before she met the influential Anton.</p><p>Anton’s gaze darkens, and using his family’s influence, he warns that Mel could lose the deal with Grace &amp; Glam with just one text to Reema, the company’s creative director. </p><p>As the controversies surrounding Mel are given context, more of Anton’s manipulative and obsessive tendencies are revealed. </p><p>The viral video of Mel hitting Anton starts when a guy spills a drink on her, and Anton sees him talking to her. He confronts the man and then grabs Mel violently. She tries to explain, but he falsely accuses her of flirting. When he grabs her by the neck and starts to strangle her, she punches him to defend herself and get away.</p><p>Another revelation addresses the rumors that Mel was using illegal substances in a bar. In reality, the scene shows her frantically struggling to break free from a drunk and abusive Anton. He took advantage of the moment to create the false impression that her public meltdown was caused by drug use.</p><div><iframe width="967" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IFIb3pWoYf0" title="Mel thinks about ending her relationship with Anton | What Lies Beneath (with English Subs)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Driven by jealousy, he also he twisted the story and accused Mel was cheating on him with John, her co-worker. </p><p>He ends his threats by claiming that she cannot divorce him, as he could spread more malicious lies about Mel —a perfect setup, he claims, since no one would believe her.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Continued glimpses of Alice’s cryptic fear </strong></div><p>Alice (Janella Salvador), in distress, walks into a nearby gun and ammunition store. With determination, she inquires about the requirements and procedures for legally acquiring firearms, which would require two weeks to complete.</p><p>A concerned Beth (Charlie Dizon) arrives and asks why she needed a gun. They take the conversation to Alice’s home, where she initially tries to ignore Beth’s questioning. </p><div><iframe width="967" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z4D9IgxL5S8" title="Alice admits to Beth the problem she and Scott are going through | What Lies Beneath (w/ Eng Subs)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Alice finally reveals that she wants a divorce from Scott, her husband. She brings up claims of infidelity and the fact that Scott’s parents never liked her in the first place. </p><p>Given her mother’s opinion of Scott as a decent man, he is willing to go through marriage counselling and therapy with Alice, but she declines, raising her shaky fists. He threatens Alice, warning her not to take their son, Seth, or she will face a court battle for full custody.</p><p>Alice continues to live in constant fear of her son being taken from her and asks Beth to keep her situation a secret, even from their close friends.</p><p>Don’t miss an episode of “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/what-lies-beneath" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>What Lies Beneath</em></u></strong></a>,” weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), A2Z, TV5, and <a href="https://app.iwanttfc.com/dFR6MWHAcVb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>iWant</em></u></strong></a>.</p>

<p>In the sixth episode of “What Lies Beneath,” the truth behind Mel’s viral scandal is revealed, Anton is actually her masked oppressor, and Alice suspects her husband of cheating. </p>

In the sixth episode of “What Lies Beneath,” the truth behind Mel’s viral scandal is revealed, Anton is actually her masked oppressor, and Alice suspects her husband of cheating.

Anton’s “perfect set up” for Mel unravels their toxic relationship in “What Lies Beneath”

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

TV

Anton’s “perfect set up” for Mel unravels their toxic relationship in “What Lies Beneath”

Rianna Mae Santiago

Published Oct 28, 2025 02:09 AM PHT

|

Updated Nov 07, 2025 12:56 PM PHT

Read More:

What Lies Beneath

What Lies Beneath October 27

What Lies Beneath Episode 6

Kaila Estrada

Janella Salvador

Sue Ramirez

Charlie Dizon

Jake Cuenca

JM de Guzman

Jameson Blake

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.