Gretchen Barretto on sister Claudine: "Magkakabati din kami niyan.

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By: Noel Orsal

Gretchen Barretto's infamous walkout last April

7 stirred headlines on why she suddenly got
affected when asked about a rumor concerning
her and sister Claudine Barretto. On The Buzz
yesterday, April 11, Gretchen finally spoke up
regarding the issue between her and Claudine.

Elyas Isabelo Salanga

Gretchen Barretto made headlines last April 7

when she walked out in the middle of a press
conference when a reporter brought up the
subject concerning her and sister Claudine
Barretto.

It can be recalled that the sisters' last argument

was in 2005. Gretchen remembered the
conversation she had with her sister after they made amends in 2007.

"Nagkabati kami," she related to The Buzz. "Sabi ni Claudine sa akin, 'Gretch, promise me na we
would never ever fight again.' Sabi ko, 'I promise.'"

This year, another feud erupted between the two sisters though the public is still in a guessing
state on what is or were the reason/s behind their misunderstanding. Some say it was because
their shows were pitted against each other—Gretchen's Maalaala Mo Kaya episode for ABS-
CBN and the pilot episode of Claudine on GMA-7.

Gretchen debunked this rumor by revealing, "Kasi kapag gumagawa kami ng project, dumadaan
kay Boy Abunda [her manager] 'yon, e. Tatanungin niya kung sino ang director, ano ang istorya,
location and cut-off and requirements ko. Hindi naman tinatanong kung kailan ilalabas at kung
ano ang itatapat. Originally, before Holy Week ilalabas ang episode ko. Ang nangyari lang, hindi
kami kaagad natapos. Hindi ko naman alam na may show siya at hindi ko alam na ikakasama ng
loob."

THE CAUSE. That alone, if true, is easy to fix. But another rumor suggests that the issue
between the two Barrettos runs deeper than just showbiz. It was reportedly family-related.
When asked about this, Gretchen, who preferred not to talk about it at the start, finally gave in
and explained her side of the story.

"Totoo na hindi kami nag-uusap ni Claudine," admitted Gretchen, "at hindi ko talaga
maintindihan kung bakit at kung ano nangyari."

It has been said that the two last talked to each other last November 2009 at the Star Awards for
TV. "Nagkita kami sa isang family gathering," related Gretchen. "Sabi niya sa akin na 'I'll pray
for you,' and I really felt so good. Kasi alam niya na Star Awards nga and nominated ako."

After the said awards however, Gretchen said that it was the last time she's heard of her sister.
Last February of this year, the sisters crossed paths in a family gathering though they only
exchanged hi and hellos. A month after, March 5, before Gretchen's birthday, she called
Claudine to invite her for a private gathering, but she never got any answer. This was something
that Gretchen could not help but get worried about.

"So, March 6, tinext ko na siya at tinatawagan ko siya," said Gretchen. "Sabi ko na hanggat
hindi niya sagutin, e, hindi ako titigil. Gusto ko talaga malaman and I felt sad on my birthday na
parang may kulang. What happened, e, tinawagan ko siya at sinabi niya sa akin na, 'I'll call you
back, I'm in a shoot.' Sabi ko, 'Okay.' Nag-return call siya and sabi ko, 'Babe, what happened to
us?' Yun lang ang tinanong ko sa kanya at sinabi niya na, 'Yeah, you know we really have to talk
kasi marami akong gusto ilabas.' Basta hindi maganda ang nangyari. Nagalit siya."

The third suspected reason behind their feud was the details of their issue being known by the
public.

"Kaya ako nagulat sa launch, e, may nagku-quote na reporters asking me questions na kinu-
quote siya [Claudine]," Gretchen said. She then admitted, "I really don't know how to deal with it
na familiar mga sinasabi nila. Masakit talaga sa akin ang sinabi ng reporter na, 'Galit na galit daw
si Claudine at buong pamilya sa iyo. Galit ang mommy at daddy sa iyo dahil hinayaan mong
pagsabungin kaming dalawa.'"

This question from the reporter affected her so much that Gretchen had to call her brother to
confirm it.

"Tinanong ko sa kanya, at sabi naman nila, 'No! Dad is very proud of you and everybody is
proud! Wala kaming sinasabing ganoon about sa iyo kay Claudine.' After that, I felt better."

"NAMI-MISS KO SIYA." With the rumors and issues surrounding her right now, Gretchen, in
all calmness, told The Buzz that she harbors no ill feelings towards her sister or anyone for that
matter.

"Alam mo, at this point in my life, hindi ko puwede sabihin na may galit ako kahit kanino,"
Gretchen said. "Respeto ang mayroon sa akin para sa kapatid ko, at unawa sa kapatid ko kahit
nahihirapan akong unawain iyon. Pag mahal ko, affected ako. Ang akin lang, wala akong
sinasadya kahit kanino at sinasaktan kahit sino. Nag-e-enjoy lang ako. Kung iyon ang kasalanan
ko, sorry."

In terms of making amends with Claudine, Gretchen says she is very much willing to do just
that because she misses her little sister.

"Responsibilidad ko iyan," she said between tears. "Ang kaibigan puwede kalimutan, ang
kapatid wala ka naman choice. Kung mag-away man kayo, e, hindi ako nagmamatigas. Wala
akong karapatan magmatigas. Hindi na kasi ako lumalaban, e."

"Nami-miss ko siya," she ended, still red in the face from crying. "Gusto ko sabihin sa kanya na
nag-e-enjoy ako sa ginagawa ko [trabaho] at wala akong intention saktan siya. Alam ko na mahal
ako ni Claudine. Magkakabati din kami niyan. We just need space and a little time."