Atong Ang: Gretchen initially refused going to dad’s wake

MANILA, Philippines — Gretchen Barretto initially refused to attend the wake of her father Miguel to avoid causing a scene.

Gaming businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang revealed this in an interview over ABS-CBN’s “TV Patrol” aired Thursday as he detailed Gretchen’s visit to her father’s wake.

During Gretchen’s visit, she reconciled with her mother Estrella. However, an altercation ensued between her and sister Marjorie. It was also reported that she, too, had a fight with her niece Nicole.

READ: Barretto sisters’ feud boils over at patriarch’s wake

Ang said that as President Rodrigo Duterte was set to visit the wake, the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) phoned Gretchen, asking her to be there, too.

According to Ang, Gretchen and Duterte have a close relationship.

“Sabi ng PMS ‘Pupunta sa patay si Presidente, kung pwede pumunta ka.’ Ang sabi sa akin ni Gretchen, ‘Pakisabi kay sir, ‘wag na po kasi baka magkagulo lang,’” Ang recalled about what the actress told him.

(The PMS said: “The president will attend the wake, please come.” But Gretchen told me “Please tell sir I won’t, I don’t want to make a scene.”)

Since Gretchen refused to attend, Ang said, the actress-socialite’s partner Antonio “Tonyboy” Cojuangco then called him to ask if he could accompany Gretchen to the wake.

“Pare, pakisamahan si Gretchen. Baka mapaaway ‘yan dun. Di ako makapunta, masakit lower back ko,” Ang shared what Cojuangco told him over the phone.

(Please accompany Gretchen. She may get into a fight. I can’t do it because my lower back hurts.)

Upon learning that Gretchen will attend her father’s wake, Ang bared that Nicole called his child. He added that Nicole asked for Gretchen not to attend the wake.

“Pakisabi kay Nicole, pupunta lang naman kami dun para kay Presidente. Sasamahan ko lang naman si Gretchen. Baka magkagulo, kailangan kong samahan sabi ni Tony,” Ang recalled.

(Tell Nicole that we will only attend because the President will be there. I’ll only accompany Gretchen. Things can go wrong, I need to join her, Tony told me.)

He also told his child to tell Nicole: “Ang inadvise ko, pakisabi na lang kay Nicole, kung ayaw nilang makita, ‘wag na lang sila magpakita.”

(I advised to tell Nicole that if they don’t want to see her, then they shouldn’t be there.)