The Barretto family—which includes sisters Gretchen, Marjorie, and Claudine—is no stranger to controversy, conflict, and intrigue. They have undergone several misunderstandings that have surfaced over the years. PUSH ABS-CBN takes a look at some of the family battles that have come under public scrutiny and made the headlines.
Read:Marjorie Barretto speaks up after mom Inday Barretto's interview: 'My silence was no longer giving me peace'
Gretchen vs Marjorie and then-husband Dennis Padilla
According to a report by PEP, in 2004, rumors surfaced about a reported issue between Marjorie and Gretchen Barretto that allegedly involved Marjorie’s then-husband, Dennis Padilla, and businessman Tony Boy Cojuangco, who was dating Gretchen at the time. Reports claimed that Dennis blamed changes in the defunct Kapamilya noontime show he hosted on Cojuangco’s influence, as the latter owned ABC-5 then and had reportedly tapped Willie Revillame for another program on the network.
Gretchen denied the allegation, clarifying that Tony Boy had no involvement in the matter. Their sister Claudine sided with Dennis during the controversy. Eventually, Dennis addressed the issue and issued a public apology.
Gretchen’s absence at Claudine-Raymart’s wedding and their reconciliation
In the same PEP article, it was noted that Gretchen was noticeably absent from Claudine Barretto’s wedding to Raymart Santiago in 2006. However, a year later in 2007, Claudine confirmed in an interview with GMA that she and Gretchen had reconciled. She shared that when they finally saw each other, they hugged, and “all was forgiven.”
That same year, Marjorie appeared on the defunct talk show At Home Ka Dito, where she opened up about filing for an annulment. She also shared that she had mended ties with her sisters, Claudine and Gretchen.
Gretchen and Claudine’s primetime showdown
In 2009, Gretchen shared her excitement with ABS-CBN News about an upcoming primetime series where she was supposed to work with her sister, Claudine. However, the project never materialized as Claudine eventually transferred to GMA Network after 17 years under Star Magic and ABS-CBN. The planned series underwent several changes before finally airing in 2010 as Magkaribal, with Claudine’s intended role ultimately going to Bea Alonzo.
In April 2010, Gretchen revealed in a The Buzz interview that although she and Claudine saw each other at a family gathering in February, they were unable to have a proper conversation. Their last meaningful interaction had been in November 2009, around the time Claudine moved to GMA Network. Gretchen had also reached out by phone a day before her birthday in March 2009, but their conversation ended poorly.
According to another PEP article, the renewed tension between the sisters was reportedly triggered when Gretchen’s Maalaala Mo Kaya episode and Claudine’s GMA anthology series pilot aired on the same day, April 10, 2010. Gretchen admitted she was unaware of Claudine’s show and did not intend to offend. Claudine expressed her disappointment, emphasizing that their father did not want them to compete and noted that external parties seemed eager to stir conflict between them.
Sometime between 2011 and 2012, Claudine Barretto revealed that she and Gretchen would attend family counseling to resolve their long-standing conflict. However, shortly after, another major issue within the Barretto clan would erupt—this time, involving the next-generation Barretto, Julia.
This article is part of a series exploring the Barretto family’s colorful and eventful history beyond showbiz.
Part 1 of 3
Read part 2: The Barretto Feud: Family Alliances and Conflicts
Read part 3: The Barretto Feud: Family Losses, Conflicts, and Healing
PUSH SAGA is a series focusing on subjects that have captivated audiences. We delve deeper into that fascination each month with new stories.