SO, the latest question hanging around these days is: Are you Team Gretchen or are you Team Claudine/Inday. Sadly enough, a (showbiz) family in feud is almost one of the best piece of news in town.
It all started with Twitter, with messages bouncing back and forth supposedly between the two older Barretto sisters, Gretchen and Marjorie. Although Claudine’s name wasn’t mentioned in the tweets, it doesn’t take a genius to realize that it was her the two were referring to. Based on the messages, the older sisters didn’t take it too well about Claudine’s (alleged) efforts to stop young star Julia Barretto (who is Marjorie’s daughter with actor Dennis Padilla) from being groomed as a star in her former home network, ABS-CBN 2.
There were accusations against Claudine being “mentally unstable,” and being estranged from her husband, actor Raymart Santiago. The latter piece of news finally confirmed rumors that the couple’s marriage were on the rocks, and Claudine’s anger management issues. In the past, the once primetime star was hounded by controversies after the other, with the bank incident and of course, the infamous fight at the airport with broadcaster Mon Tulfo.
At the start, there was too much underlying information and “reading in between the lines” rumors; that it was hard for anyone to pinpoint who was telling what and what is the truth. Then, more twists and characters came into the scene.
Last April 24, the Barretto matriarch Inday, sent a statement to The Philippine Star editor and columnist Ricky Lo. What one may thought could possibly bring an end to the feud, only started a new fire.
Entitled Mom Inday to Gretchen: You are a liar, the statement was actually a letter addressed to her daughter Gretchen, berating her for telling lies, playing with other people’s lives and simply to refer her as an ST (Sex Trip) Queen.
In defense of La Greta came older brother Jayjay Barretto, who also gave a little more light on Claudine’s mental state. Aside from Gretchen, Marjorie and Claudine (who are all in show business), there are 4 other siblings who are non-showbiz — Joaquin (or Jayjay), Mito, Mia and Mitchie.
Jayjay described their mother’s letter to Gretchen as “shocking and hurtful,” and has expressed his dismay about Inday’s portrayal of his sister as “evil.”
“She seems to have forgotten the truth,” he said.
And the truth he was referring too during the interview was when Gretchen took over the role of their parents, working at the age of 12 and giving up her education so as to help send her other siblings to school. Jayjay also explained that it was Gretchen who put food on the table, paid for utilities and hospital bills when their father got sick.
Also on Gretchen’s side were friends and people she has worked with. Robbie Tan of Seiko Films, the one who launched the actress’ sexy image and career recently said that Gretchen is a hardworking person and has always tried to help her family. Tania Montenegro, who was La Greta’s good friend since they were in grade school at Colegio San Agustin, said that she saw how the actress struggled financially but has always wondered why Mom Inday treated her differently.
As more and more people seem to get caught in the web of feud, another sister, Gia Barretto-Reyes, who is based in Boston, Massachusetts; has shown support for Claudine and their mom, to the extent of telling Gretchen to “leave my family alone.”
In this growing issue, there are some who have remained silent. One is Claudine, who many think should come out and fight her own battle, her husband Raymart and Marjorie.
Still, we hope that the Barretto family would be able to sit down and talk things over civilly. As they always say, “Blood is thicker than water,” and at the end, it is always your family who will have your back.
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Last March 18, Balik-Samahan, the group of showbiz royalties, held their regular gathering at the home of Pempe Rodrigo in New Manila, Quezon City.
The salu-salo was also a celebration of balikbayan journalist Baby K. Jimenez’s birthday, who is now based in Canada. Among those present were veteran stars such as Susan Roces, Amalia Fuentes, Helen Gamboa, Boots Anson-Roa, Lilia Dizon, Delia Razon and Pilita Corrales. It was also a time to keep up with other stars who were in the Philippines for vacation, such as Lilia Dizon and Pacita Araña, who is now based in Northern California.
