‘Miss ko lang kayo’: Dennis Padilla apologizes to Leon Barretto following open letter revealing their rift
Dennis Padilla has reacted to Leon Barretto’s open letter and apologized to the latter for sharing that his children “forgot” to greet him on Father’s Day.
In a now-deleted post, Dennis separately shared some photos with his children with Marjorie Barretto (Julia, Claudia, and Leon), noting in the caption that they weren’t able to remember him on his big day.
On Sunday, June 26, Leon took to social media to share his open letter for his dad. “Sorry if I wasn’t able to greet you a ‘Happy Father’s Day.’ It’s always been an awkward day for us cause we never seem to know where we stand with you every year, I’ve always envied people who never even have to think twice about greeting their dads a ‘Happy Father’s Day.’”
Leon revealed that he and his sisters have been trying to get past their decade-long rift, but Dennis just kept adding fuel to the fire by airing his concerns about them online. “Papa, why does it seem like you enjoy hurting your kids in public? Why do you keep posting cryptic posts about us and allow people to bash us on your own Instagram page? Do you think it does not pain all of us to not feel protected by their own father?”
He added that every time they try to resolve their issues privately, Dennis would “communicate by shouting, cursing, and using hurtful words that traumatize us.”
“Is public sympathy more important to you than your own children? Your words have the power to destroy your children, papa.”
Leon further noted that he has long watched his sisters “get torn into pieces” because of Dennis’ “false narratives.” He continued: “Not once did they ever explain their side nor speak negatively about you in public. It’s exhausting, papa. As the only man in the family, this is me stepping up to protect my sisters.”
In a post on Monday, June 27, Dennis questioned what Leon was talking about in his public letter as he apologized to his son. “I am sorry leon... Miss ko lang kyo... God bless you more! Just want to know what false narrative i said in public? I been reaching out to all of you for 15years in private.”
The actor later posted a handwritten letter about being a father. “I have regretfully made mistakes in my life. I may not have been there for you but I always had you in my heart.”
“If I could have but one wish: I would love to spend some time with you. After all, there is not much more to life than that,” he concluded.
For her part, Marjorie said in a statement given to talent manager and columnist Ogie Diaz that she will talk about the matter between Dennis and their children "in time." Ogie shared: "Umaasa rin si Marjorie na po-proteksyunan pa rin ni Dennis ang kanilang mga anak sa lahat ng pagkakataon.”