Claudine Barretto...Living Her Young Adult Life
by Arleah C. Baingan
Chic Mag no. 477, 03.05.01

SHE'S pretty. She's popular. And she's got one of the most eligible (and good-looking) guy in showbiz as a boyfriend. She's Claudine Barretto, the youngest in the brood of three showbiz sisters who is now the sole heir to the acting lineage. Eldest sister, Gretchen, the original ST queen, is now happily into her domesticated lifestyle while another sister, Marjorie, is happily married to actor Dennis Padilla, and is now semi-retired in showbiz.

At 21, the youngest Barretto beauty is herself old enough to go into a serious relationship that may lead her to the altar. But with her experience in her personal life (both triumphant and heart-breaking), she is mum on assuming anything too good (like settling down with her present boyfriend) to happen because she is just letting things take their own course based on circumstances that will be significant in her future endeavors. Nonetheless, good things are coming Claudine's way and why not? She has been overworking ever since she started in showbusiness.

Just like her sisters, the lead star of the soap opera, Saan Ka Man Naroroon is an intrigue magnet. Aside from a flourishing career (both in small and wide screen), she is also one of the young stars today that has a colorful personality. Nasty intrigues and excellent performance of her craft are probably the reasons why she keeps on getting publicity. Notwithstanding, this young woman is ready to soar, negative publicity or otherwise.

RIDING HIGH

The last major performance that she has turned in on the wide screen was the internationally acclaimed movie Anak where she pitted acting talent with the tested abilities of Vilma Santos. She not only convinced the people that she is more than just a pretty face, but also a talent to reckon with. In fact, show biz insiders even branded her as the one most likely to follow the Star For all Seasons’ footsteps in the nea: future.

To this she humbly replies: “I’m very flattered about that. I want to be like her. I want to be a lot of things actually. But admittedly, I know that I still need to work hard to get the things that I want to achieve. It’s still a long way to go.”

Claudine has had a variety of roles both on TV and film. Starting with the teen-oriented show Ang TV she has come to have a taste of the different acting genre--comedy, action, drama—-name it and most probably, she has dipped her hands into that already. She has also received awards such as the Best New Female Personality in 1997 for Star Awards and Best Young Actress in 1999 for Parangal ng Bayan. If these were not proof of her acting ability, then good luck must be on her side.

If there were intrigues in her personal life, her professional life on the other hand is as smooth sailing as ever. Aiming to be versatile in her acting craft, this ABS-CBN exclusive talent is welcoming varied roles. “I’ve almost tried everything when it comes to acting—comedy, drama, bida or kontrabida, and even action. These projects are all very challenging. I even have to switch personalities in my TV soap. I think that’s good for me,” she enthuses.

Her latest project is an untitled Robin Padilla-starrer where she has to learn the basics in handling a gun, which she admits to have made her nervous at first. “The shooting went well but I can’t help but feel nervous specially when I need to pull the trigger. I have never done that before so I needed some practice to do it right,” she shares.

But the concerns of the rumor mill do not dwell on that aspect but on the known reputation of her co-star, Robin Padihla. (Robin has been linked to most of his leading ladies.) Is Claudine equally smitten with his charm?

“I didn’t worry about that. In fact, he’s very charming and he’s a gentleman. We had a good working relationship. We didn’t have any problem because I’ve known him before pa because he was a friend of my Ate Gretchen. He even treated me like his kid sister,” she says dismissing any romantic possibility between her and her charming co-star.

Robin even invited Claudine’s boyfriend, Rico Yan, to visit her in the set in Subic so there should be no love angle to be explored.

LOVE AND FAMILY

Her relationship with Rico has been going on for quite a while and it seems to be going better and stronger. She has already met Rico’s family and often have lunch or dinner with them mostly during weekends. As a boyfriend, Claudine finds Rico very understanding and kind.

“He is very supportive of me. He even gives me tips on how to handle my finances wisely. He advises me on investments,, things like that. 

“Actually, sometimes he gets mis with me because I often change my mind about the business that I want to venture into. Like for example, if he suggests something that interests me, he’ll do a study on that type of business, and the marketing strategies that should be employed, things like that. Then I change my mind because I want something else na naman.”

On her part, Claudine also gives her boyfriend full support to his endeavors, inside or out of show biz Like. when Rico did a media launching of one of his business ventures, Claudine was there not as a young, popular star but as a girlfriend giving her boyfriend moral support.

So are they headed to the altar?

“Only time can tell what will happen between Rico and me,” she quips. “There are relationships that lasted for years and still did not make it together. We can’t tell if we are going to stay together forever. But the purpose in having a boyfriend is that you are looking
for the right person you want to be with for the rest of your life. If that’s not your plan, then bakit ka pa nag-boyfriend? I value sincerity and dependability in a man.”

She has learned her lessons well and that is evident in her practical views. At present, she is
nurturing her relationship with her family.

“Things are much better now. I’m living on my own for almost two years now and it has made me more responsible. My relationship with them is much better which is ironic, to think that I live separately from them. I don’t know why but I’m much closer to them now.”

TYPICAL LIFESTYLE

Claudine may be popular and may have been into show biz for a long time now but she refuses to completely adapt to the kind of lifestyle show biz people are known to live by. As much as possible, she tries doing things normal people do, like, watching movies with friends in either Megamall or Glorietta, having dinner at a friend’s house or cooking or bringing over some food then spending the whole time just chatting with her closest friends. Apparently, simple things make her happy. Loyalty and honesty are the qualities that she is looking for in a friend.

She admits to having a typical, young-adult lifestyle.

“I drink and smoke. Ano pa ba ang ginagawa ng isang 21-year-old ngayon? There is nothing different with what I do sa mga ginagawa ng mga kabataan ngayon. Lahat ng ginagawa ko pinagdadaanan ng isang tao sa buhay niya. Normal lang ‘yun. Plastic sila if they say it’s not. If they haven’t experienced those things, well kawawa naman sila. They haven’t lived life.”

TIME OF HER L!FE

She is having the time of her life. Living life for her means enjoying what you’ve got on hand. And Claudine is not going to hold back on things that she possesses. “Perfect happiness is not possible without peace of mind.,” And she’s got that, too.

That’s why she cherishes every minute of her life. She’s happy with that international nomination that she got via the movie Anak. She remembers fondly the holiday vacation that she had with her parents and sisters abroad. She has so much to thank for in her young life.

The progress that she has made in her career is a product of perseverance and hard work. She has had slips but she had managed to balance things out. And how does she do that?

“Do live your life to the fullest. If there are opportunities to grow or learn, go for it. So that when the time comes and you look back, there will be no regrets.” ~

BACK TO MAIN ARTICLES PAGE