US-based sister Gia to Gretchen: Leave us in peace
The Barretto family feud continues to polarize the controversial showbiz family, even as industry insiders try to figure out who’s telling the truth: matriarch Inday Barretto on one hand, and her son Joaquin or JJ on the other.
Read related story: Mom Inday bashes Gretchen and defends Claudine
The latest update on the controversy has Gretchen’s US-based sister, Gia Barretto-Reyes, siding with Inday and Claudine.
Gia gave her reasons for defending Claudine and condemning Gretchen in a letter sent to Inday and published in Philippine Star entertainment editor Ricky Lo’s column on April 26.
In her letter, Gia say she welcomes Gretchen’s wish “not to be part of our family” even if they have never alienated the actress when she wanted to be with them.
Gia further tells Gretchen:
“You have hurt us in ways that have put decency to shame, you have had no rules when you attacked us. If the attack were physical then it would be bearable. Bruises heal. But the attack has always been vicious, below the belt and so evil that the wound borne from it cannot heal. It is done repeatedly and unsparingly with permanent damage in mind. You have tried to put mom and dad to shame with empty allegations without thinking that you, whether you like it or not came from them. You ridicule them in front of friends, strangers and us. And, you expect us,to just take it.”
Gia reminded Gretchen that she could not have given the Barrettos the kind of life they were enjoying (carpeted, air-conditioned bedrooms, membership in exclusive country clubs, chauffeur-driven cars, etc.) with her then meager earnings as a 12-year-old actress. Gia added that their father never forced Gretchen to join showbiz.
“I remember very clearly how you ran to the middle of the road when dad said “no” to you entering show business. He believed that school was important,” Gia wrote.
In defense of Claudine
Gia also said that it was Claudine who provided for the family when times were tough.
“Claudine paid for my med at UBC just as she paid for a lot of our nieces and nephews education. She gave them (our nieces and nephews) iPads, iPhones, concert tickets, clothes and so much more. She spoiled all of us not because she needed to but because she wanted to. She unlike you, has never equated her value with money or material possessions.”
More: Julia Barretto has no comment on reported family feud
As for Joaquin Barretto’s defense of Gretchen, Gia has this to say,”JJ’s comments on TV are only credible in as far as he is caught between a rock and a hard place, because he is in your employ.”
Also read: Joaquin Baretto defends sister Gretchen
Gia’s final appeal to Gretchen is for her “to stop hounding us like an attack dog.” She pleaded to Gretchen to “just leave us in peace.”
Gia ended her letter by telling Gretchen, “Leave my family alone.”
The latest Barretto family feud started when an unnamed netizen called Julia (Marjorie Barretto and Dennis Padilla’s daughter) ”maarte.” Gretchen’s reactions on Instagram consisted of questions on somebody who is very violent, who destroyed her husband’s Porsche and laptop (reason for him to leave her), and who is better left in the Medical City.
