Marjorie Barretto: We have become a big joke
Two weeks after her half-naked photos surfaced online, the embattled Marjorie Barretto finally found the courage to openly talk about the scandal and the feud that have, in her own words, turned the family into “a big joke.”
“I cried out to God to give me strength to face the public and redeem myself,” Marjorie told “The Buzz” host Boy Abunda in an exclusive interview on Sunday, May 19.
The mother of five said she has become a better person after the controversy and that she felt better days are ahead of her.
“Someone made fun of me. That's how I understood it. Ginawa 'yun sa'kin para masira ako pero I'm not going to give anybody the power to do that to me.”
Marjorie refused to give further details since a case in violation of Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act has been filed against the source of the photos.
Read related story: Marjorie Barretto to sue blogger behind half-naked photo
Meanwhile, the former actress admitted the raging family feud did not solve the problem.
“I feel na nawala, nalihis sa totong issue kami. I was very hurt my mom had to bring it all out in the open. Parang ang pakiramadam ko nun, Boy, dapat sa'tin mag-lock tayo sa isang kwarto at magsigawan tayo nang magsigawan, ilabas natin ang galit sa isa't isa.”
Marjorie echoed sister Gretchen Barretto’s opinion that the family problem should have been contained among themselves.
Also read: Gretchen on family feud: Hindi dapat isapubliko
“Nakakahiya sa tao. Naging bad example pa kami para sa ibang tao,” Marjorie explained.
Not taking sides
Though she refused to reveal whose side she's on, Marjorie put on record that her other sister Gia--who seconded their mom's statements against Gretchen--hurt her the most.
More: Gretchen to sue sister Gia?
“She's been gone for many years at siya talaga ang I felt had the least right for an opinion. I was just a call away.”
Marjorie also revealed that she called her mom and asked why she exposed the family problem to the public.
“Madaling araw non. Iyak ako ng iyak. Hindi ko na alam ang sagot niya kasi I was really crying.”
Still no healing
Marjorie thinks the best thing for her family to do at this point is give each other space.
“Okay na huwag na muna magkita-kita at magco-concentrate muna ako sa mga anak ko.”
Because of this, Marjorie doesn’t see the problem solving itself any time soon.
“A lot of damage has been done. Ayokong siraan ang pamilya ko.”
Marjorie admits she’s hurting because they used to have a common goal.
“Meron din kaming magandang pinagsamahan noong araw. Nagmahalan naman kami. We had a problem to solve together as one. Nabiyak.”
Birthday resolution
The personal and family crises that erupted before her birthday (May 19) have strengthened Marjorie’s resolve to become a stronger person.
“I decided I wil not give anybody the power to harm me again. I will not allow anyone to destroy me. Every time anyone tries to do that, I wil get up so fast. That’s one of my birthday resolutions.”
She admits she’s still praying for healing and the strength to resist the urge to seek vengeance on those who hurt her.
“I wish I can forgive. I’m not yet there. Before this all happened, I thought the person who did this to me was better. After this has been done to me, pwede akong humarap sa taong yon and say that I’m a better person.”
