Claudine Barretto prioritizing motherhood despite being been single for 11 years

Claudine Barretto. Image: Instagram/@claubarretto

Claudine Barretto admitted that she wants to focus on being a good mother to her children at the moment, even though she has been single for 11 years.

On the sidelines of her upcoming drama “Lovers/Liars,” Barretto told entertainment reporters that she doesn’t see herself getting into a relationship anytime soon, while noting that she’s “born to be a mother.”

“Eleven years na akong walang boyfriend, walang date, walang ano. Kung mapapansin niyo, wala rin talagang natsi-tsismis sa akin,” she said, per a report from Inquirer Bandera. “So, talagang tutok lang ako with my children, ‘yun lang talaga. I think I was really born to be a mother.”

(For 11 years, I haven’t had a boyfriend, no date, or was not involved with anyone else. If you noticed, no one has been associated with me. I’m very focused on being a mother to my children, that’s it. I think I was really born to be a mother.)

The actress clarified that she has a fair share of suitors though, although she speculated that they might have been intimidated by her. “Meron [akong manliligaw] pero siguro, nai-intimidate sila. And siguro, nakikita nila na hindi ‘yun ang priority ko (I have suitors but I guess they get intimidated. They also notice that love relationship is not my priority).”

“Hindi naman sarado ang puso ko to love again. Pero, hindi ‘yun ang priorities ko,” she continued. “Thank God [if ever meron], bonus na talaga ‘yun. Naniniwala talaga ako na kapag para sa’yo talaga, darating at darating ‘yun.”

(My heart is still open to love again. But it’s not my priority right now. If ever I find one, thank God. It’s a bonus. I just believe that what’s meant for you will be yours, and it will eventually come.)

Barretto also stated that she’s looking for someone who can love her children “more than anything,” and will respect her priorities as a mother.

“Ang hinahanap ko talaga, ‘yung kayang mahalin ang mga anak ko more than anything. Kung mahal ako, sana mas mahal ang mga anak ko. Kasi at the end of the day, sila pa rin ang number one. At kung mai-in-love man ako, ‘yun na ang number two,” she said.

(I’m looking for someone who can love my children more than anything. If he loves me, I hope he loves my children more. Because at the end of the day, they are number one. And if ever I fall in love again, he will be my number two.)

The actress, who asserted that she’s a “good wife,” also revealed that her annulment with estranged husband Raymart Santiago is still “ongoing.” She previously made headlines after saying that it’s not possible to be friends with him because of his “current partner,” whose identity she did not disclose.

Santiago was reported to be in a relationship with “Unbreak My Heart” star Jodi Sta. Maria, which the actor confirmed to Philippine Entertainment Portal in 2020.