Marjorie Barretto praised her daughter Julia Barretto for handling well the controversy hounding her relationship with boyfriend Gerald Anderson after she opened up on the topic in a recent interview.
In an interview with reporters on the sidelines of the “Secret Ingredient” premiere last April 28, Marjorie couldn’t help but be proud of Julia for being strong amid the trials that marred her career and personal life in 2019 when she was caught in a love triangle involving Anderson and his then girlfriend, Bea Alonzo.
“I’m so proud of her na ang galing niya mag-articulate. Ang galing ng choice of words niya, grabe na pala ‘yung wisdom niya. I’m so proud na hopeful pa rin siya sa buhay niya. She sees na marami pa ring pwedeng mangyari sa buhay niya,” said Marjorie of Julia’s tell-all with Toni Gonzaga.
“I had to message her [after watching]. Sinabi ko, ‘Grabe, you’re so intelligent na. You’re so smart na.’ Seasoned na siya,” Marjorie added.
(I’m so proud that she articulated her thoughts well. She was great at her great choice of words, and she had so much wisdom. I’m so proud that she’s hopeful about life despite what happened. She sees that a lot of things can still happen in life. I had to message her after watching. I said, “Wow, you’re so intelligent and so smart. She’s seasoned now.)
In her interview with Toni Gonzaga, Julia said she is “taking accountability” f0r what happened in 2019, and that she may have caused pain to somebody else.
“Personally, I am sure that I had a role in somebody else’s pain, other people’s pain, in the same way that they have also contributed to my pain. But I think you know that you are okay when you have acknowledged that, ‘I have a role in this, baka may shortcomings din naman ako,’” Julia said.
While she did not mention any names, many observers believed that she may be referring to Alonzo, with whom she was then having a spat amid cheating allegations directed at Anderson.
Five years later, Alonzo and Julia appeared to have mended their rift when they met, hugged and exchanged pleasantries during a tribute for industry stalwart and starmaker, Johnny Manahan.
‘Embracing’ problems
Marjorie also said her “constant reminder” to Julia is to “find joy in what’s difficult” at all times. “Life is always going to be difficult, but you have to find joy in what’s difficult. You can’t be problematic every day because problems will come.”
“You shouldn’t be consumed by problems or difficulties. You have to embrace it. You have to take on the challenge,” she continued. “Pero grabe siya sa interview, she said something about regrets. It’s too heavy to carry. Kahit ako, hindi ko ma-put into words ‘yun. I think she’ll be fine. She’s really strong.”
(You shouldn’t be consumed by problems or difficulties. You have to embrace it. You have to take on the challenge. But I was surprised by her interview. She said something about regrets. It’s too heavy to carry. Even I can’t put those into words. I think she’ll be fine. She’s really strong.)
When asked what makes her proud of Julia, Marjorie said the “Expensive Candy” star’s “strength and kindness of her heart” are among the many qualities that she takes delight in.
“She’s really a good daughter. I think I’m the one who has the right to say that. She is a good sister, good daughter, good friend, and a great partner. So I’m proud of her as a whole,” she said.
“Because sa dami ng pinagdaanan niya, naging mabuting tao pa rin siya. Diba dapat, suplada siya or mainitin ang ulo niya? Dapat galit siya sa mundo (With everything she had been through, she still became good. She could’ve been harsh or irritable. She should’ve hated the world). But no, she’s a good person. I’m proud of her,” she continued.
Marjorie also touched on Julia’s “bright aura,” which she said was plain to see when she interacts with her co-actors, colleagues, and other people around her. “You know why? [Julia is] peaceful. You can see someone if they have a sense of peace. That’s what you see.”
