COMEDIAN Dennis Padilla is saddened by the ongoing rift between his ex-wife, Marjorie Barretto, and sister Gretchen over their younger sibling Claudine.
He said much has been said on the media and it is only proper to settle
family issues in private.
"Magandang i-settle yan out of court, mag-usap at magkapatawaran. Kung sino ang nakagawa ng mali, mag sorry. And matuto kang tanggapin yung paghingi ng tawad,” said Dennis.
He was once part of the Barretto family. His marriage to Marjorie lasted for 14 years and was blessed with three children, namely, young actress Julia, Claudia and son Leon.
Dennis and Marjorie split in 2007 and the actor said they are not yet on speaking terms.
The actor-comedian said he was also sad that Claudine’s marriage to his close friend, Raymart Santiago, fell apart.
He said that the former couple was very close to him, as Claudine once lived with him and Marjorie sometime in 1996-1997. Dennis is also a longtime friend of the Santiagos, especially Raymart's older brother Randy.
"Nung asawa ko pa si Marjorie, si Claudine bata pa noon. There was a time pa nga nung medyo bago pa kami ni Marjorie, tumira pa sa akin si Claudine ng isang taon. Malungkot sa akin kasi si Raymart and Claudine ay parang mga kapatid ko ‘yan,” he said.
Dennis said no one can really predict the future of any relationship except that the children will be the ones affected by the separation. Raymart and Claudine have two kids, Sabina and Santino.
"Ganun talaga. Minsan meron tayong mga goal sa buhay na hindi natutupad. Parang sa akin, sino bang magsasabi na maghihiwalay pa kami (ni Marjorie) after 14 years with three beautiful children. Mahirap and masakit yun,” he noted.
"It's very difficult na mahiwalay sa asawa, pero times 10 ang sakit ‘pag nahiwalay ka sa mga anak mo."
Speaking of kids, Dennis said he's thankful that he has a close relationship with his children. He gets to see them once or twice a week, thanks to Julia’s help.
"Okay naman (ang relationship namin). Mas madalas ko makasama si Clauie and si Leon kesa kay Julia. Si Julia kasi thrice a week ang taping, twice a week and workshop tapos may school pa siya na twice a week din. Kung magkita siguro kami ngayon mga once in two weeks,” he shared.
Dennis said he last saw Marjorie at the graduation of Julia and Claudia but they never talked.
Meanwhile, Dennis said he is proud of his children, especially Julia, who is set to star in her upcoming series "Mirabella."
"Napakaswerteng bata kasi nabigyan siya ng chance na magbida sa teleserye. Plus and dami pa niyang endorsements kaya happy ako,” he said.
He's also happy that Julia is not affected by her mother’s family issues.
"Hindi naaapektuhan si Julia kasi alam niya papaano i-handle. Basta sabi niya, 'ayoko mag comment doon sa nangyayari sa mga matatanda'. Sabi ko din sa kanya na concentrate ka na lang sa work and studies mo,” he said.
Dennis joins Kim Chiu and Xian Lim in “Bride for Rent,” Star Cinema’s first movie in 2014. (Sunnex)