Dennis Esteban Dominguez Baldivia, professionally known as Dennis Padilla, is a seasoned comedian renowned for his roles in classic comedy-action films during the 1990s.
Born on February 9, 1962, in Caloocan City, Dennis is one of seven children of the late veteran comedian Dencio Padilla and Catalina Dominguez.
His introduction to showbiz occurred early in life, as his father, often cast as a sidekick to the King of Philippine Cinema, Fernando Poe Jr., exposed him to the industry.
Over the course of his acting career, Dennis has shared the screen with renowned leading ladies of his era, including luminaries such as Sharon Cuneta, Maricel Soriano, Ruffa Gutierrez, Agot Isidro, and Donita Rose.
However, beyond the reel world, Dennis’s real life unfolds with the compelling narratives of three women who have significantly impacted and transformed his life forever.
Fast forward to 2024, the 62-year-old comedian has more than just decades worth of comedy chops to boast. He also has seven people of whom he can proudly call his children.
Let’s get to know each one of them.
KIDS WITH MONINA GATUS
Dennis Padilla’s relationship with Monina Gatus’s ended in the early 90s, and produced two kids.
DIANE BALDIVIA
Born on January 22, 1990, it was Diane Gatus who made Dennis a father for the very first time.
In the official entry of Viva Films for the 46th Metro Manila Film Festival, Dennis’s character was portrayed being overwhelmed with shock after getting steamy with a transwoman.
The scene elicited negative reactions from the LGBTQ+ community, taking offense at the film’s lack of sensitivity towards the group.
Dennis, quick to defend, highlighted his utmost respect for the LGBTQ+ community:
“My daughter is married to a woman in the States.
“My eldest daughter Dianne, who is 30 years old, is married to Katx [Balmes] who is also a woman. And I respect them because mahal ng anak ko, e.
“So, nang ikasal sila sa America, I was happy for them. Ako pa ba ang babastos sa LGBTQ, e, yung daughter ko, asawa babae? Legally married sila sa California.”
During the virtual media conference for Pakboys: Takusa on December 2, 2020, Dennis unintentionally updated fans about Diane’s married life.
LUIS BALDIVIA
Dennis and Monina also have a son: Luis Emmanuel Gatus Baldivia.
Their firstborn son often makes an appearance on Dennis’s social media feed for giving his father gifts on special occasions.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Luis graduated from De La Salle University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government.
He then pursued a master’s degree in Public Administration at the University of the Philippines Diliman, finishing in 2020.
Luis currently works as associate project officer for the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), a government-owned and controlled corporation.
KIDS WITH MARJORIE BARRETTO
Dennis got together with Marjorie Bernardine Castelo Barretto, on of the Baretto sisters, in the mid-1990s.
She is the younger sister of Gretchen Barretto, and elder sister of Claudine Barretto.
Their union led to a marriage in 1995, culminating in an 11-year journey that eventually hit a dead end in 2006.
Despite first denying that their marriage was on the rocks, Marjorie and Dennis finally confirmed their trial separation in 2007.
JULIA BARRETTO
Undoubtedly the most famous among Dennis’s children, Julia Barretto—born Julia Francesca Barretto Baldivia on March 10, 1997—is his first child with Marjorie.
To date, she has starred in 14 TV series including the acclaimed Ngayon at Kailanman series, and 12 movies including Vince & Kath & James, where she bagged her first Best Film Actress award in 2017.
Outside of showbiz, Julia ventured into business with lifestyle brand The Juju Club that offers day-to-day essentials for every girl.
Through the years, Dennis and Julia’s father-daughter dynamic would go down as one of the most high-profile parent-child celebrity relationships, publicly marked by both triumphs and challenges.
Notably, on February 24, 2024, Dennis proudly shared that Julia reached out to greet him on his 62nd birthday, demonstrating a positive turn in their relationship.
Choosing to maintain a level of discretion, Dennis refrained from oversharing details about their latest interaction, embodying lessons he learned from the past.
CLAUDIA BARRETTO
Next to Julia is Claudia Isabelle Barretto Baldivia, born two years later on July 26, 1999.
Unlike Julia, Claudia entered the entertainment world through music, having debuted on May 19, 2007 with her first single “Stay.”
On January 20, 2021, Dennis and Marjorie’s second daughter followed in Julia’s footsteps by signing with Viva Artists Agency (VAA) as one of its talents.
The following year, the 24-year-old singer-songwriter earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the Ateneo de Manila University.
In an Instagram post on August 29, 2022, Claudia shared the news of her latest milestone by uploading a series of photos from the occasion.
Dennis has been reaching out to Claudia in 2022 and 2023 through Instagram posts.
LEON BARRETTO
Leon Marcux Barretto Baldivia is the youngest and the unico hijo among Dennis’s children to Marjorie, born on April 2, 2003.
At press time, he is taking up a marketing course at the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P).
Excelling in his academic path, Leon surprised his mom Marjorie on November 15, 2023, for being a Dean’s Lister.
On his relationship with his dad Dennis, Leon tells PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) at the Awit Awards 2022 on November 23, 2022, that he roots for whatever will bring peace to everyone.
“Of course, in God’s perfect timing. I’m for peace naman, I really trust in God’s timing talaga,” he said.
“I keep emphasizing that kasi importante talaga yun. Time lang talaga.
“For me naman, I also miss my Dad but time heals all wounds. At the end of the day, ang importante lang talaga, when we reunite peacefully na. God’s perfect timing but I’m really open to reconciliation and peace with my father.”
In one of Leon’s vlogs uploaded on October 8, 2021, Julia expressed her wish to protect Leon’s peace by encouraging him to not pursue acting.
This was supported by Marjorie in 2023, when she said “No way!” to the idea of Leon joining showbiz.
KIDS WITH LINDA GORTON
A year after his separation from Marjorie, Dennis found love anew, this time in a Filipino-Australian lady named Linda Marie Gorton.
Talking to PEP.ph in an exclusive interview, Dennis fondly recalled the beginnings of their relationship and his determined efforts to win Linda’s heart.
He shared, “We met through a common friend. Nagbabakasyon siya dito from Australia. Niligawan ko habang nagbabakasyon siya rito [Philippines].
“So, sabi niya [Linda], ‘Papaano ito? Matatapos itong relationship natin dahil babalik na ako sa Australia.’
“Sabi ko, ‘No, December, before Christmas, I’ll visit you and stay there until my birthday in February.’
“So, siyempre, nag-save muna ako ng baon ko, ng pamasahe… So, nagtuloy ang relationship namin.”
After spending three meaningful months in Australia from December 2008 to February 2009, Dennis successfully convinced Linda to embark on a lifelong journey together.
Unfortunately on February 24, 2024, he disclosed at the press conference for the film Magic Hurts: “I got separated nung 2020, so my ex-wife brought my children sa Sydney.”
GAVIN PADILLA
Three years into Dennis and Linda’s relationship, they joyfully welcomed their first child, Gavin Simeon Padilla, on August 29, 2012.
He graduated from kindergarten at Castle Ville Academy in Quezon City on March 19, 2017.
MADDIE PADILLA
On November 30, 2016, the family celebrated the arrival of another bundle of joy, Madelyn Padilla.
Baby Maddie, the youngest Baldivia, is turning eight years old this year.
STEPDAUGHTERS
Aside from seven biological children, Dennis has also been vocal about treating his stepdaughters Dani Barretto and Rizzi Gorton like his own.
Dani is Marjorie’s firstborn with ex-partner Kier Legaspi, while Rizzi is Linda’s child from a previous relationship.
