Gretchen no-show at mom’s 80th birthday bash

All her loved ones were accounted for when Inday Barretto celebrated her 80th birthday Thursday (Jan. 12) at the Manila Hotel — that is, except Gretchen Barretto for reasons that everybody knows by now. It would have been the best occasion for mother and daughter to kiss and make up, after all, not every mother celebrates an occasion like that.

Celebrity lawyer Ferdie Topacio, who defends Inday’s daughter Claudine Barretto in her legal cases, was among the guests and he served as Funfare’s eyes and ears at the event.

“I arrived a little after 7 p.m. (the time stated in the invitation),” reported Ferdie. “People were beginning to trickle in. Old rose was the color motif for the night. While the invitation said ‘smart casual,’ most family members were dressed formally in gowns and tuxedos. It’s good I wore a dark suit.”

Other notable guests Ferdie spotted were former Pres./Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada, businessman Antonio Lopa and publicist Reli German (“All classmates of Daddy Mike, the Barretto family patriarch”); former Mayor Recom Echiverri; and director Alco Guerrero.

“All children of Daddy Mike and Mommy Inday were in attendance, except for Gretchen (for obvious reasons) and Guia (who has a frozen shoulder and couldn’t fly in from the US). Also there were a lot of grandchildren, among them Cholo with girlfriend actress Ryza Cenon; sisters Julia, Claudia and Dani (children of Marjorie); Nicole (daughter of J.J.); and of course, Sabina and Santino (children of Claudine).”

The children and grandchildren performed a special medley of songs for the celebrator: You by the Carpenters; You by Basil Valdez; Somewhere Over The Rainbow from the Wizard of Oz; and Fools Rush In (Inday’s favorite). A string band also played songs, especially chosen by Mommy Inday for the occasion.

A touching audio-video presentation was also made, chronicling the life of Inday from her teens to the present. Shown were pictures of all the children with their respective families.

 “I told Claudine that Spanish singer Antonio Morales Barretto Junior (of Yakap fame and who made two movies with Vilma Santos) was related to them by blood,” said Ferdie. “I told them that when I went to Spain last December, a friend (Raul Buendia) told me that Junior was born here (in the Philippines) and that his grandfather, an Icariza, was one of the original founders of San Miguel Corporation.

“One  significant thing that happened — at least, for me, personally — was that I was able to apologize to Marjorie and Dani for any pain which I may have caused due to the ‘horse tweet’ issue. They graciously accepted my apology, said that it has been a long time ago and that they have since moved on, and that we can be friends.”

Claudine wrote a very touching letter to her mom, dated Jan. 12, 2017.

Here it is in full:

To my Dearest Mom,

Happy 80th birthday. I thank God that you’re still here with us. I want to thank you for being the Best Mom for us your children.

If I were to live my life again, I would choose you to be my Mom over and over again. Mom, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for all the times I hurt you with my actions or words, that’s why I always apologize and say sorry because you only deserve love and kindness, the same kind of love you show us every day even when we’re not together. My prayer every day is that God would give us more years with you and Dad. I admire your strength as a wife, mother, friend, person.

When there are days that I fail you and Dad, your words of  encouragement are for my safety and security. When I feel I’m not good enough, I just look at you in awe and hear your little voice inside my head telling me, “I am my Mother’s Daughter,” that “I am Inday Barretto’s daughter!!!” Then comes my strength.

Happy birthday to my Rock. You are the biggest award I have and can ever receive. I love you, Mommy!

Love your, Prettyest       

Daughter, Claudine

(Note: Claudine explained, “‘Prettiest’ is spelled ‘Prettyest’ because when I was five years old, that was how I thought it was spelled and it became a running joke when Mom, Dad and my siblings write me letters. They spell the word that way.”)

(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.)