Gretchen blasts reporters, says she’s no longer part of Barretto family

MANILA, Philippines – A visibly annoyed Gretchen Barretto scolded the entertainment media when she was asked about the current issues of the Barretto family.

Her sister Claudine was in the news earlier last week when she filed a Temporary Protection Order against estranged husband Raymart Santiago.

Gretchen was also involved in a word war with her mother Inday Barretto and sister Gia Barretto-Reyes.

“Bakit, anong pakialam ninyo sa pamilya namin?” Gretchen said when asked to comment about the current controversy between Claudine and Raymart during the awards night of the 9th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival on Sunday, August 4.

She added, “Kung natatandaan niyo po, tinakwil na po ako. So in other words, wala na kayong karapatan tanungin ako tungkol sa Barretto because I’m not part of that family anymore.”

The actress, who is part of the Cinemalaya film “The Diplomat Hotel,” said she chooses to remain mum on issues concerning her family to avoid further problems.

“Tahimik na rin po ang buhay ko. Kung na-no-notice niyo naman po, puro career na lang at pamilya ko at anak ko ang pinagtutuunan ko ng pansin,” she said.

For Gretchen, family means partner Tony Boy Cojuangco, daughter Dominique, and siblings Marjorie and Jayjay.

“Kaya wag natin isali ako at si Marjorie sa mga gulo na hindi naman kami dapat isali pa because I think I learned a big lesson na lumayo na lang, magpakalayo na lang para walang gulo,” Gretchen added. “’Pag walang sinasabi, at least walang problema.”

Respect

But Gretchen got more irked when a member of the entertainment media asked, “Gretch, ano na lang ang prayer mo, sa lahat ng mga tao…”

Even before the reporter finished her question, the actress replied, without missing a beat: “Bakit ko naman ishashare sa iyo? Ikaw ba si God?”

“You’re not God. I will not pray to you. I will not share. I mean, stop it.”

The Kapamilya actress asked for respect, especially after what she’s been through with her family. She also questioned the press for their constant queries regarding Claudine and the Barretto family.

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“Bakit, what for? Para masaya kayo at bahala na ako? Hindi ganun yun, e. Pati prayers ko, pinakikialaman ninyo? Bakit, di ba?” Gretchen said. “Artista ako, that’s all I can give you. Huwag niyo nang anuhin ang pribado kong buhay.”

For the craft

It was obvious Gretchen would rather talk about her career and her craft. Her film “The Diplomat Hotel,” directed by Christopher Ad Castillo, was one of the 10 New Breed category entries in this year’s film festival.

“Naging masaya ako na naging parte ako (ng Cinemalaya), hindi lang sa likod kundi sa harap din ng camera. Parte ako bilang actor, bilang artista, hindi bilang kasama ni Tony. So as an actor, masayang masaya ako. Pinakabonus na yun para sa akin,” she said.

Tony is Gretchen’s partner Tony Boy Cojuangco, Cinemalaya’s main patron.

She thanked the mainstream actors who have shared their talents to the independent film industry.

“Pag gumawa ka ng Cinemalaya film, hindi lang yung talento mo ang binibigay mo (kundi pati yung) pagmamahal mo sa craft,” Gretchen said. “This is really a great, great thing for us.”