CLAUDINE Barretto revealed she is friends again with estranged husband, Raymart Santiago.
On Monday's episode of "Aquino & Abunda Tonight," the mother-of-two was asked by television host Kris Aquino how she and Santiago reconciled after their much-publicized separation.
Aquino’s question came after photos of the ex-couple and their kids, Santino and Sabina, were posted numerous times on their respective Instagram accounts.
Barretto said that it was only this year that they were able to patch things up.
She said that before appearing in the program, she even called Santiago to clarify the status of their relationship.
"Sinend ko muna yung mga questions (ng show) tapos sabi niya kaya mo yan at may thumbs up. Sabi niya, 'para saan yan?'. Tumawag siya tapos sabi ko, 'Teka, question lang Mart, friends ba tayo?' Sabi niya, 'Oo, friends' kasi hindi ko alam anong isasagot ko kung civil or friends na tayo. Friends na daw kaya friends na kami,” she said.
She credited Judge Geraldine Macaraeg of the Marikina Regional Trial Court branch 192 for helping them settle things for the benefit of their two children.
"We're so blessed kasi sa branch 192 ng Marikina (RTC), yung judge mabait. You both have to acknowledge, kay Raymart at sa akin, at inupo niya kami at pinaintindi na hindi tama itong ginagawa ninyo and you have to stop it. After that, yung relationship namin ay okay na. Wala kaming ibang magagawa and we still have to have a relationship," Barretto said.
Meanwhile, Barretto confirmed that she's making a showbiz comeback via the upcoming movie "Etiquette for Mistresses." Barretto joins Kim Chiu, Iza Calzado and Aquino in the film.
She said taking a break from the entertainment industry in 2011 was a painful choice but leaving show business for good never crossed her mind.
"If Raymart and I did not get separated, di sana hindi ako kinailangan talagang tumutok sa mga anak ko. But kasi kailangan may isang parent na consistently andoon to cater to all their needs," Barretto said.
Barretto said she's also very happy to be back in ABS-CBN after nearly six years. She transferred to GMA Network in November 2009.
"Okay na okay. I was here when we were talking about a project in TV and yung movie namin ni Kris. Na-miss ko talaga, na-miss ko lahat. Parang ang daming nagbago but the people are still the same," she said. (Sunnex)