Julia Barretto speaks up about her relationship with father Dennis Padilla, rumored breakup with Gerald Anderson
"There’s just so much fear inside me now."
These were the words of Expensive Candy star Julia Barretto when she was asked by Karen Davila if she was ready to reconcile her relationship with her father, actor Dennis Padilla.
The two TV personalities discussed the issue during Davila's YouTube vlog released on Sept. 15. And according to the 25-year-old actress, she is not ready to speak and open herself to her father again.
"I'll be very honest, we have not spoken. There's just so much fear inside me now, if I can be very open," she said. "I'm just really scared 'cause over the years I feel like it's been a cycle of making up and then getting hurt. And I kinda just want to... huminga lang muna from that cycle."
"I've just been praying also na, I dunno, maybe in God's time mag-meet kami in the middle without having to get hurt again," she added.
When asked if she has forgiven him, the actress had quite a hard time putting her emotions into words until she was able to say, "There's just a lot of fear because I don't know what's gonna happen."
"But forgiveness, of course, that's for my own peace of mind 'di ba. Hindi ko ipagkakait ang forgiveness," she continued. "There's just been so much pain since I was young so parang I got tired of the same thing."
Julia went on, saying that the friction between her and Dennis has been one that she carries with a heavy heart. "I just need more love. More protection," she continued. "I just feel like he has to be my number one protector and that’s not what I’m getting. It hurt. It's sad."
Despite that, the actress said she remains strong, especially with her mother and siblings as her support system. She also complimented her younger brother Leon who had become “the man of the house” and their family’s protector.
Last June, Leon penned a letter to Dennis on Instagram about the latter’s posts on not receiving a Father’s Day greeting from the Barretto siblings.
"I was pained because before, it used to be just my dad and I. Now it was between my younger brother and my dad," Julia said. "And it's painful kasi sometimes... kung puwedeng sa akin nalang all the pain, just spare my siblings from trauma from some conversations."
"I'm grateful he (Leon) spoke up and he protected us," she added.
Julia admitted that with the way things are going between her siblings and her dad, she "doesn't know if it'll be the same again." Still and all, she wishes for healing for everyone in their family.
"I do hope though that there's healing between everyone, na ma-resolve," she said. "I don't know if it'll be the same again, but I do hope for healing and ma-resolve."
Private and secure relationship with Gerald Anderson
On the other hand, Julia ended the speculations about her rumored split with her boyfriend and A Family Affair actor Gerald Anderson.
“Sa news, every month, that’s the situation. But no, we haven’t broken up. I think that’s a sign na we’re really able to protect our relationship and keep it private,” she said.
Julia clarified that she felt safe and secure in their relationship, as the actor never gave her a reason to doubt him. She trusts Gerald enough to believe he will not hurt her.
“I don’t think I’ll get into a relationship with somebody I don’t trust, so I do trust him and he shows me that every single day. There’s just no reason for me to doubt,” the actress said.
Julia also praised how the actor created such a safe and healthy environment in her life and she feels good about it.
Gerald confirmed his relationship with Julia in a tell-all interview with Boy Abunda on March 5, 2021. His confirmation came a year after they were rumored to be dating, following the actor's breakup with GMA 7 actress Bea Alonzo.
