Long-overdue family reunion

Even if only for one beautiful night, the Barrettos were together in one big room, under one big roof, all smiles, so unlike in the past when such a family gathering was impossible.

It was at the debut of Julia last Tuesday night, March 10, at the ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La and it proved beyond doubt that a special occasion could make feuding family members set aside whatever differences they had and enjoy a long-overdue family party…except that one member was absent — none other than Gretchen who left for London a day before to celebrate her 45th birthday (March 6) with her unica hija Dominique who is taking up a fashion-related course there.

“The debut was perfect in its beauty — in trappings of mirrored tables and opaque chairs,” the debutante’s grandmother Inday Barretto told Funfare. “Flowers flown in from abroad were everywhere, lining the whole stretch of the long tables, covering almost the whole ceiling. There were huge carousel horses in every corner which was also covered with flowers.”

The ballroom was dressed up by stylist Robert Blancaflor, with the events planner headed by Rita Neri and her team. Video-filming was by Jason Magbanua.

Seeing Julia in her “breathtaking ruby-red Michael Cinco gown” brought tears to the eyes of Inday who has just recently reconciled with Julia’s mom Marjorie.

“She was so beautiful,” gasped Inday. “I was seeing a childhood dream coming true.”

One of the highlights was the meeting of Julia and her Aunt Claudine (minus estranged husband Raymart Santiago) in a stunning black gown.

“They looked almost alike,” continued Inday. “They met in the middle of the ballroom and they melted into a long embrace. Those who witnessed it cried.”

 A while later, Marjorie passed by Claudine’s table and tapped Claudine’s shoulder. The guests broke into a heartwarming applause as the also newly-reconciled sisters embraced each other.

“The embrace carried a lot of meaning,” said Inday who, with husband Miguel Barretto, were billeted in several rooms along with other family members. “It showed a family crisis ending, to begin a renewed bond of something time and people stole from them.”

As Funfare had reported, Julia had her first dance with her dad Dennis Padilla, bringing to a close a seven-year gap riddled with headline-making issues worsened by Marjorie’s filing of a case to legally change Julia’s surname from Baldivia (Dennis’ real surname) to simply Barretto. The debutante’s last dance was with Piolo Pascual’s son Iñigo who surprised Julia with an exuberant rendition of The Way You Look Tonight. Marjorie also dedicated a song to Julia.

Liza Soberano, said to be Julia’s “rival,” arrived with Forevermore leading man Enrique Gil just in time for the offering of the 18 roses and 18 candles.

Here are the family members’ messages for Julia:

• Dennis: “All the best in your career and in life” (told to the media) and (via VTR): “I’m looking forward to have more bonding time with you. I’m letting you go but will still hold your hand to see what the real world is.”
• Claudine: “You are our little princess and soon you will be a queen. I love you.”
• From Julia: “To my mom, ikaw ang tunay na may debut ngayon. Ikaw lahat ito. To my dad, I love you. Thank you to my family, the most controversial family. Whatever happens, I’m still proud to be a Barretto.”

I will let Inday have the last say: “Needless to say, ours was a night of homecoming into each other’s lives and into the things that used to be! God is good and Life is fair to those who love well and peaceful that no evil forces can put into the test.”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)