Gretchen talks about her sisters, John Estrada

Gretchen Barretto is now back and she answers all the controversial events that happened to her during the past months. The Buzz's Boy Abunda welcomes La Greta on a one-on-one interview concerning her improved relations with her sisters, Tony Boy's health condition, and the enigma behind the "kisscandal" with John Estrada.

Gretchen first relates her feelings about Claudine's pregnancy and giving birth to Santino Santiago.

"Si Claudine kasi, bago pa ‘yung controversy [the kisscandal with John], nandoon na
siya, nagkita na kami. It was good to see her and 'yung bata. Pinag-uusapan namin kung sino 'yung kamukha."

Then she added in jest, "It doesn't matter, right? May Barretto, may Santiago!"

"First time ko nakita ulit si Raymart [after a long time]. Parang walang nagbago. Parang walang time, walang space. It's just the same na parang natulog ka lang, nagising ka, ‘yun ulit," the eldest Barretto sister said.

Marjorie's sudden text message in the middle of Gretchen's ordeal brought tears to her eyes. She said the text message said something like: "Gretch, This is Marj. I'm just here and I know you're going through a lot. I love you."

"Tinawagan ko siya after that," Gretchen said. "Hindi ko pinigilan 'yung emosyon ko. 'Di ba sometimes, nangingibabaw ang pride over emotion? Ako naman, my emotions, I just let it flow. Pinindot ko na 'yung cellphone and I just cried."

At this point, Gretchen was already fighting her tears when she added: "We [both] just cried. I can't even tell how long and I called just to say ‘I love you.'"

Now, it's smooth sailing for the three sisters, a completely different path compared to the one they chose before when there was totally no communication between them.

"We have our dates," Gretchen explained, "nagde-date kami, nagla-lunch kami. We chat a lot. Para sa akin sa isang relasyon, importante ang healthy boundaries. Ayoko masira ulit kung ano ang meron kami ngayon. Marami na akong natutunan sa mga nangyari in the past, kaya kami nag-away and all that.

She continued, "Ayoko ulitin ‘yon, so alam ko kung ano 'yung tama, kung hanggang saan just to preserve that relationship. It's the best thing. When she [Marjorie] calls me just to say she loves me, and I do the same, we don't talk for hours. When we have a problem we know we have each other. We know we are strong together. We will always have each other."

Once again, Gretchen was teary-eyed when she explained that she realized, when "one is really in trouble, kahit masama ang loob mo sa tao, sa kapatid mo, it's automatic... it's love, it's blood."

About John, has Gretchen had the opportunity to face and talk to him?

"Hinde," Gretchen said, "hindi ko pa kaya. I'm old enough, I'm an adult. I should be responsible for my own actions."

According to Gretchen, only time can tell when she can bundle up the courage to face the issue and face John.

"Hinde ko pa kaya emotionally. One of these days I would really have to sit down and really see kung kamusta na siya, kung ano na nangyari. I don't know kung tapos. I guess we're allowed to put things aside even when it comes to our emotions. I have put that aside for my own sanity."

For Gretchen, the issue with John was the most difficult for her to handle because many people got involved and were hurt by it. She added that no matter how bad you've acted as long as you're honest and be able to face the consequences, you'll be fine.

Is this one of the traits that Tony Boy appreciates in her—her being true and honest about everything?

"Thirteen years ago," Gretchen began, "Tony told me never to lie. Basta sabihin ko lang 'yung totoo sa kanya, tapos na. He understands and I understand. The past eight weeks na, since nagkaroon ng iskandalo at nagkaroon ng sakit si Tony Boy na sunud-sunod. Right now, okay na siya so mas relaxed na ako ngayon."

At the time Gretchen and her loved ones were in the U.S., they became more bonded in the middle of the Gretchen's predicament.

"Si Tony kasi madasalin and lagi niyang sinasabi na kailangan maging matatag daw ako. Nung nangyari 'yung kontrobersiya, wala pa siyang boses no'n kaya niyakap niya ako at pinacify niya ako. I guess he's good at that, comforting me when I'm in trouble. Para kay Tony, parati siyang may rason para sa mali ko. He would always try to justify what I do and why I do it, and l love him for that."
GMANEWS.TV