Maria Cordero chimes in on Eric Tsang-Malaysian model kissing brouhaha: 'He should've kissed two more times. How rude!'

Maria Cordero (left) has some interesting comments on her pal Eric Tsang kissing controversy. Photos: Screengrab and Lebara/Instagram

The online chatter on the viral video of Hong Kong actor Eric Tsang's birthday kiss to Malaysian model Lebara heats up with more people joining in the conversation.

Tsang, 69, addressed the media on Sunday (Oct 2) while the 26-year-old Lebara posted her thoughts on the matter Monday.

Now, actress Maria Cordero has a say on this matter too.

Cordero, who was asked about the incident when she appeared on a TVB show on Tuesday, said it shouldn't have been an issue to begin with.

"It's not worth mentioning, really," Cordero, 68, replied.

Then the singer-actress, affectionately known as Fat Mama in the Hong Kong entertainment industry, became candid and said that Tsang should've planted more kisses on Lebara.

"It is polite to wish someone happy birthday with a birthday kiss. Sometimes, we offer two or even three pecks. Eric Tsang only kissed once. How rude. He should've kissed two more times," she joked.

When asked if she thought the whole thing was a publicity stunt, Cordero said she doesn't doubt it.

She explained that in show business, any kind of news – good or bad – is great publicity.

"If I was her, I, too, would post the video on social media. Otherwise, people wouldn't know who I am," she said, adding that Tsang is not at fault.

Maria Cordero and Eric Tsang co-starred in the comedy 'Men Suddenly In Black'. Photo: Handout

Cordero and Tsang co-starred in the comedy Men Suddenly In Black. In the 2003 movie, both stars shared a passionate kiss on screen.

On Sept 30, Tsang was caught on video giving Lebara a kiss at the model's birthday party. The video was shared by Lebara on her Instagram account. As of today (Oct 5), the video has garnered close to 5,000 likes.

Tsang – who is also the general manager for Hong Kong broadcaster TVB – said that he did not know the Malaysian beauty and added that he gave her a kiss as a "polite" gesture.

Last month, Tsang was called out by a member of Hong Kong's Independent Police Complaints Council for "staring" at beauty contestants clad in bikini during the Miss Hong Kong pageant where he was one of the hosts.