“I had to pay dearly to get to where I am now. Things just didn’t fall into my lap. Every single thing that I’ve achieved now is a result of pain, hardwork and lots of prayers.” – Gretchen Barretto
by Ruben Marasigan
Sobra ang saya ni Gretchen Barretto matapos tanggapin ang kanyang award para sa kategoryang Pinaka-Pasadong Katuwang Na Actress o Best Supporting Actress sa katatapos na Gawad-Pasado, ang parangal na ibinibigay ng Pambansang Samahan Ng Mga Dalubguro. Ginanap ito noong Sabado ng gabi, April 11, sa auditorium ng San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
“It’s my first time for Gawad-Pasado. But this is my third for The Trial,” masiglang bungad ni Gretchen nang makausap ng Philippine Showbiz Republic (PSR.ph) at ilan pang miyembro ng media.
“So maraming salamat sa Star Cinema at sa Gawad-Pasado. At saka sa Panginoon, maraming salamat.”
Ano ang feeling niya na triple tie sila nina Iza Calzado (Starting Over Again) at Lotlot de Leon (Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles) para sa kategoryang Pinaka-Pasadong katuwang Na Aktres?
“Well, I’ve watched that movie of Iza. And I was also able to watch that one with Lotlot. Everybody is good and okay. Wala lang. Ano ang ini-expect ninyong sasabihin ko?” tawa niya. “We’re all deserving of the trophies.”
Masasabi bang totally complete na ang buhay niya? She has wealth, fame, awards and everything?
“Oo nga, ano?” pagsang-ayon ni Gretchen bago muling natawa. “Well nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng mga biyayang ibinibigay ng Diyos. It took a while bago ko makamtan itong kinaroroonan ko, whatever you call it kung saan ako nandoon ngayon. So a lot of hardwork, a lot of pain. Hindi naman nangyari ito na bigla na lang. Pinaghihirapan natin ito kung saan tayo at ipinagdadasal.”
Pahabol na magandang birthday gift daw kay Gretchen ang tatlong best actress nang napapanalunan niya para sa The Trial. Nitong nakaraang March ay talagang month long ang celebration ng kanyang kaarawan.
“Very hectic! Everybody knows because of the Instagram” nangiting sabi ng aktres. And I’m leaving again for London dahil birthday naman ng anak ko (Dominique Cojuangco). It would be a two week celebration. So everything is good! Everything is all good.”
May mga bagong projects na ba siyang naka-line up na gagawin?
“Well, we don’t know yet. I’m gonna wait for whatever ABS CBN gives me, or Star Cinema. But I’m looking forward to that. Ako naman, I enjoy whether I work or I’m not working. I just thank God for everyday.”
“After all many things had happened after Liezl Martinez passed away, I realized a lot of things. And I guess right now ang pinaka-importante is I have my Tony (Boy Cojuangco, her partner) and I have Dominique (her daughter). I still have my career. And I enjoy everything and everyone around me.”
“Thank you very much. I have to go because my daughter is waiting, we’re celebrating,” panghuling nasabi ni Gretchen.
