Gretchen on what she wants ‘to leave behind’

MANILA, Philippines - In the very public family feud that has hopefully ended with the “last word” from Inday Barretto to daughter Gretchen published in this corner last Friday, Gretchen left it to her brother Jayjay and some sympathizers (Regal Matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde, Seiko Films producer Robbie Tan and Tanya Montenegro among them) to vouch for her “being a good daughter, “ etc.

Towards the end of last Sunday’s The Buzz where she guest co-hosted, Gretchen tearfully poured out her heart to main host Boy Abunda.

Here’s what she said, verbatim (e-mailed to Funfare by a Gretchen sympathizer):

Hindi madali ang pinagdadaanan ko ngayon. Hindi madali ‘yung pinag-uusapan ka ng buong Pilipinas. Hindi madaling pakinggan ‘yung pinagdaanan ko, ‘yung childhood ko. Away-pamilya ‘to, Boy, hindi dapat isa-publiko.

It took so long for me to learn so many things. I learned this week that the tight embrace means the world to me. I learned that marami rin palang nagmamahal sa akin. I also learned that life is not perfect and I can’t have everything.

Boy, ayokong magsalita. Dominique, my daughter, knows my story. Many years from now, lilingunin niya ‘tong nangyari sa akin. Maalaala ni Dominique na “My mom never fought” and that’s what’s important to me. Boy, ‘yun ang importante to me, Boy, ‘yun ang importante. That’s what I want to leave behind.

Moral of this sad, sad story? If you don’t want your dirty linen washed in public, refrain from taking potshots at anybody, no matter how “vague” they are, on social media.

Remember the Age of Aquarius mantra: Make love, not war!