Claudine Barretto proud of son Santino being dubbed a ‘heartthrob’

Claudine Barretto with her son Santino | Photo: Instagram/@niceprintphoto via @claubarretto

Claudine Barretto is a thrilled and proud mother to her son Santino after he went viral with his recent photos and was dubbed as a “heartthrob” by netizens.

In an interview on “Ogie Diaz Showbiz Update,” Barretto thanked the netizens and expressed her happiness for her son getting recognition.

“First of all, syempre as a mother, nung sinabi sakin na parang nagva-viral si Santino ngayon, syempre sobrang kinikilig ako. Kasi si Santino alam naman ng mga tao na ayaw na ayaw non nagpapapicture,” she said.

“Thank you so much sa lahat ng nagpaviral kay Santino. As a mom, nakakakilig talaga,” added the actress.

Barretto shared that her son likes his life to be kept private and he doesn’t like being referred to as a “nepo baby.”

“Although sinabi niya, ‘Mom, please don’t post it.’ Nakakatuwa lang na hindi siya nagalit na lumabas ‘yung pictures niya. Dahil magbibirthday na rin siya this coming July 19, alam niya na mas maraming picture pa ang lalabas,” underscored the actress.

“Okay lang naman sa kanya basta hindi palagi. ‘Yun lang ‘yung pakiusap niya na itake down ko ‘yung ibang mga picture niya, not for anything. Ayaw niya daw kasi maging nepo baby. Ayaw niya na tinutukso siya, ginugulo siya,” she continued.

The “Got 2 Believe” actress said Santino has no desire to enter show biz yet, and if he does, she sees him going into filmmaking or directing.

“Sa show biz naman tingin ko nagle-lean siya sa directing. Nakitaan ko siya ng hilig sa show biz pero ang hilig niya behind the camera. Ayaw niya maging artista. Ang daming inquiry for commercials and endorsements for Santino, pero ayaw niya talaga,” she said.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, July 4, amid their ongoing legal battle, Barretto and her estranged husband Raymart Santiago were recently together to celebrate the 20th birthday of their daughter Sabina.