The movie is Gretchen's first after 12 years. Her last film was "Ikaw Lamang" which was produced by Pablo Santiago and it featured Gretchen with her future brother-in-law Raymart Santiago. The actress even joked she had kissing scene with Raymart (now the husband of her sister Claudine). "At least, I was the first one who had a kissing scene with him," says Gretchen with a laugh. "Nakaganti na ako kay Claudine," she says. She even mentioned that Claudine kissed Aga Muhlach before in a movie. "At least nagantihan ko siya," she said. Should we conclude then that Aga and Gretchen were an item before?
She believes and fears karma that's why she tries to be good as much as possible. "I believe that if you hurt somebody whether intentionally or not, it would come back to you and haunt you," says Gretchen.
If her memory serves her right, "Matakot Ka Sa Karma" is her first horror film. When she was approached by OctoArts big boss Orly Ilacad for a movie project, Gretchen thought that she'd be ask to join the cast of "Enteng Kabisote 3." She's aware that horror movies entered in the festival earn a lot. But she also would like to do comedy since this kind of film do earn a lot during Christmas. "I am glad that I was not asked to do an ST film for the festival."
"Matakot Ka Sa Karma" is horror-trilogy directed by Jose Javier Reyes and when someone mentioned that Claudine Barretto was very good in "Sukob," said to be the highest grossing local horror film, Gretchen proudly stated she's also good in her comeback film. "Magpapatalo ba ako? Siyempre hindi. I gave my best in doing the film and I enjoyed myself doing it. I hope the fans would enjoy watching it."
She did "Matakot Ka Sa Karma" not to compete with anyone. But she's really glad to have accepted the project, with the blessings, of course, of her partner, Tonyboy Cojuangco. "I just wanted to be effective in my role and you will be seeing a different Gretchen in the film. I am not glamorous in my role. You'd see me mostly in pajamas and wearing slippers. And I did not wear any jewelry because most of the time, it's the jewelries I wear that attract so much attention, not me," she added.
"At this stage in my life, it's not important anymore whether I wear jewelry or not. It doesn't make me a bigger person. Sometimes my jewels would upstage me," she joked.
Gretchen admitted she and Claudine had yet to talk. She tries her best to avoid talking about her so she won't be subject to another intrigue. "Life is short. Let's just wait for the time that all of our problems would be settled. But I can't say when we are going to patch things up, same with my parents whom I haven't spoken to for a long time," she added.
"I am sad that even our parents were dragged into this controversy that's why we haven't talked. But, there are many things that needed to be ironed out before we all could reconcile especially when it comes to the emotions. There are certain processes that need to done. Hindi naman ito puwedeng pilitin o madaliin," said Gretchen.
"As of now, this is what's working for us, kesa naman magkita-kita nga kayo, tapos mag-aaway-away lang," she said. "Hindi rin ako kumportable talking about the situation, gulo lang 'yan, eh."
She was asked to comment on the issue that her daughter Dominique doesn't look like her, but actually looks more like her dad. "It's a good thing that Dominique looks like her dad. It would be harder to face if they say Dominique looks like another person," she said.
Gretchen also told the press that she's in good terms with her mother in law. While they still have to talk, they communicate through notes that they send each another.
With so many issues facing her, Gretchen plans to write a book, a tell-all book that chronicles her life. The idea is now on a planning stage. "I am also excited to work on that. Since the public is eager to learn about me and more, I'd give them answers straight from the heart," she shared.
She's also looking forward into doing another movie, at least one movie a year, to keep her adrenalin going. "I don't to do so many movies lest the audience might get tired of me."