Gretchen Barreto keeps mum on Julia

GRETCHEN Barretto says of life with partner Tonyboy Cojuangco: “Enjoying your blessings will make you content.”

Controversial celebrity Gretchen Barretto, who has always been candid about issues concerning members of the Barretto clan, said she drew the line at talking about her sister Marjorie’s daughters in order to protect them.

She was referring to the recent decision of Marjorie’s daughter Julia to file a petition in court to drop the surname of her father, actor Dennis Padilla (Baldivia in real life). Unconfirmed reports said Julia’s younger sister, Claudia, also filed the same request in court.

“Let’s not get into that issue. [The girls are] very young. If there’s anyone who should discuss the issue, it should be Marjorie, and then Julia. They will talk about it when the right time comes. Who knows? Maybe they will talk about it next week,” Gretchen told reporters during her launch as endorser of the jewelry brand Karat World on Monday.

She pleaded with reporters not to ask about the controversy. “I want to protect them. If it’s about me, I’d speak openly. But this involves children,” Gretchen explained. “Through the years, I’ve learned to shut my mouth and keep quiet. Let the [online] bashing happen because the truth will come out eventually.”

Longtime tiff

There is also Gretchen and Marjorie’s longtime tiff with youngest sister, actress Claudine Barretto.

Gretchen said she showed her support to Marjorie and her family “by praying for them.” She pointed out that, “Marjorie is a strong, prayerful woman. We’re not perfect… but we have strong faith in God.”

Gretchen said it was “normal to feel hurt” because of what her family was going through, “but I know that trials are part of life. How we deal with or react to every situation is what matters,” she said. “I’ve always been optimistic—that’s my secret. You attract good luck if you maintain a positive outlook.”

Gretchen had to wear a bridal gown for the Karat World campaign. She said she felt happy about it and even imagined she was actually about to tie the knot. “But life is not perfect,” said the longtime partner of businessman Tonyboy Cojuangco. “You have to accept that there are things in life that you don’t have. Accepting that and simply enjoying all your blessings [will give you contentment]. When this (wedding) will happen for me, I really can’t tell.”

Gretchen said she’s proud of her daughter Dominique, who is currently in Manila while on break from school. The 19-year-old is studying fashion design in London. “I like to [think] that she’s better than [me] in a lot of ways. She recently had a photo shoot for a new endorsement and I’m very excited for her,” Gretchen said. “She is a smart kid. She does all the negotiations herself. She was raised in an environment that’s full of love, that’s why she’s secure.”

Gretchen is currently busy working on the Chito Roño film “The Trial,” which also features John Lloyd Cruz, Richard Gomez and Jessy Mendiola. The Star Cinema production will be released in September. “It’s a difficult film to make. I’m losing so much weight… Most of my scenes are stressful, although I’m excited about the project.”

She said working with John Lloyd was a “dream come true. I feel giddy talking about it. Seriously, I’m glad that, at this point in my career, I’m still given the chance to work with artists I admire.”

Gretchen, whose contract with ABS-CBN is up for renewal soon, said a drama series was being developed for her by the Kapamilya network. “I haven’t received the material so I can’t talk about it yet. I’m afraid that a project gets stalled or shelved whenever I talk about it prematurely, like ‘Alta.’ The new project is big… and I’m excited.”

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