(From left) Dani Barretto, Julia Barretto, Gerald Anderson. Images: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net, Instagram/@andersongeraldjr
It seems that Julia Barretto and Gerald Anderson’s relationship has earned the approval of the actress’ elder sister Dani.
Interviewed at the sidelines of a brand event, Dani answered in the affirmative when asked if she believed that Julia and Gerald’s relationship would last, but she pointed out that marriage is not yet part of the couple’s plans for now.
“Oo, kasi swak talaga siya sa family namin (Yes, because Gerald jibes with our family really well). We adore him, he’s a great guy,” said Dani.
Marjorie Barretto’s eldest daughter likewise praised Gerald for being a “really generous” person, noting that the public is not aware of his kindhearted personality behind the scenes.
“I think hindi ‘yun ang nakikita ng tao outside of him (I guess that’s what people don’t see outside of his circle). He’s so generous, he’s so kind. In our trip, he was the one who led and made the activities,” she said, referring to the time Gerald joined the Barretto family’s getaway in the US last December.
Gerald Anderson and Julia Barretto. Image: Instagram/@juliabarretto
But on a personal level, Dani said she “really likes” Gerald for Julia because they’re “so in sync” with each other and they helped each other change for the better.
“I really like him kasi mabait siya at masaya ang kapatid ko sa kanya. My sister also grew a lot and vice versa. They’re so in-sync. They like the same things, they like going on adventures, ang ganda ng dynamic nilang dalawa,” she said.
(I really like him because he’s kind and my sister is happy with him. My sister also grew a lot, and vice versa. They’re so in sync. They like the same things, they like going on adventures. They have such a nice dynamic.)
But when asked if the couple will tie the knot soon, Dani stressed that the public shouldn’t pressure Julia and Gerald on the topic of marriage as they have their own goals to fulfill.
“May goals pa kasi silang na gustong ma-hit or magawa bago pa nilang maisip. They’re still enjoying. Wag niyo silang i-pressure! Feeling ko kasing maraming tao ang nagsasabi sa kanilang [magpakasal]. Let them enjoy. They’re so in love and so happy,” she said.
“Wala pa talagang gan’un. Maaga pa, guys. Promise. Kung mangyayari ‘yun, mangyayari ‘yun. Malalaman niyo rin,” she further added.
(They have goals that they want to achieve before thinking of marriage. They’re still enjoying it. Don’t pressure them! I feel like people have been telling them to get married. Let them enjoy. They’re so in love and so happy. There’s no such thing as that. It’s still too early, guys. Promise. If it happens, it happens. You’ll find out about it eventually.)
Julia Barretto and Gerald Anderson. Image: Instagram/@juliabarretto
Private relationship
Dani then denied that her sister and Gerald had allegedly parted ways, saying “no such thing” happened between them. She also shared the couple opted to keep their relationship private and prefer it that way.
“Walang katotohanan ‘yun. Kapag ang [couple] hindi nagpopost, break na. Kung hindi nila nakita sa Instagram Story, break na. Chill muna kayo,” she said. “Hindi ba they’re just being private, they’re enjoying their quiet time. They’re just enjoying being together. Lahat ng bagay ay hindi nakabase sa social media. Walang nangyaring gan’un.”
(There’s no truth in that. If a couple is not posting on social media, they broke up? If they’re not seen on an Instagram Story, they broke up? They have to chill. Isn’t it just because they’re just being private? They’re enjoying their quiet time. They’re just enjoying being together. Not everything shouldn’t be based on social media. There’s no such thing as that.)
In a March 2023 interview, Anderson declared that the actress is the one that he’ll marry although he noted that he hasn’t popped the question to her. Julia also clarified months later that marriage is something that one should look forward to, but it’s a topic that shouldn’t be pestered to the couple constantly.