Here's a tip from Tonyboy Cojuangco in keeping a lasting relationship together with his partner Gretchen Barretto: “The mama is always right.”
Now together for 27 years, the actress and the business magnate have proven that their love for each other conquers all as they mark another milestone in their togetherness.
Despite the many obstacles in their relationship, including their age gap and Tonyboy's marriage to equestrienne Denise Yabut Cojuangco, these didn't hinder the couple from staying happily in love with each other.
They also have a loving daughter, their only child, Dominique Cojuangco, whom they love and cherish together since the day she was born.
With the length of their relationship and a happy family as their anchor, it's safe to say that we'll see these two in each other's arms for a long time.
Take a look at their one-of-a-kind love story in this gallery:
Gretchen Barretto started her showbiz career at the age of 14 years old. She was considered as a high profile actress in the 90s when she became a star of Seiko Films' sexy films.
Antonio “Tonyboy” Cojuangco is the longtime partner of Gretchen. Tonyboy is one of the 5 children of business magnate, Ramon Cojuangco and socialite and philanthropist, Imelda Cojuangco.
During their 23rd anniversary last February 2017, Gretchen uploaded an insightful post on her relationship with Tonyboy. She said, “For many who witnessed our relationship from the beginning, most predicted that we won't last more than 2 months. My Tony being 19 years older, coming from a wealthy family, a respected businessman and brilliant one to say the least. Me being an actress, coming from the extreme opposite side of the world & yes, of a different breed & class. But hey, here we are, through it all, I guess it's safe for me to say that, true love CONQUERS ALL. “
She continued by sharing a message for her “Dada.” She said, “To my Tony, thank you for being my everything rolled into one, my best friend, my dada, my partner in crime, my protector & defender & yes my Santa. I love you for making me get away with anything & everything, thank you for allowing me to be the bratty baby around our home."
Tonyboy and Gretchen were blessed with a daughter, Dominique. Their only child is an aspiring fashion designer.
In an interview with Ricky Lo in 2002, Gretchen admitted that she would love to get married to Tonyboy. However, it did not transpire as his marriage to the equestrienne, Denise Yabut-Cojuangco hasn't been annulled. She said, "At this point, only God can tell when that will ever happen. There was a time when we were already in the planning stage but things didn't go right. When that time happens, I want to get married for the right reasons."
In the same interview, Gretchen admitted that Tonyboy is a diplomatic man when it comes to their relationship. "Tony is a peaceful person; he never picks a fight. He's always the one who says 'Sorry' even if I'm the one at fault. Ayaw niya ng gulo."
In the early stages of their relationship, there were rumors about Gretchen's infidelity to Tonyboy. Those stories eventually ended and Gretchen and Tonyboy proved the naysayers wrong by staying together. "Alam ko who's spreading the rumor... Well, life is so short for me to be making war with anybody. But I know of a group that wants Tony and me to break up, pero hindi nila kami kayang paghiwalayin.”
In a recent Instagram live video, Gretchen admitted that she's a mistress of Tonyboy. She said, "Sasabihin nilang kabit, aaminin ko for the past 23 or almost 24 years, opo, kabit po ako ni Tonyboy Cojuangco. I never denied it."
Gretchen admitted that a lot has changed since their relationship started. She disclosed in her Instagram live video, "If you threw that at me five years ago, maglulupasay po ako. Halos magpakamatay po ako sa sakit sa aking dibdib pag tinatawag niyo akong kabit. But right now, after 23 lovely years with my Tonyboy, you can call me kabit and I will tell you, I am happily his kabit. I am happily his mistress."
She also discussed that she's accepted the possibility of not getting married. Gretchen revealed, “Maybe I will never be married to him. Maybe he will never marry me. Maybe I will never have that dream to walk down the aisle and have that fabulous gown. But, who cares?”
Gretchen noted that she doesn't have a perfect life but grateful for Tonyboy who loves her unconditionally. “I have a very flawed life, a flawed relationship, but I'm happy. It's not perfect. He understands me fully, he loves me fully, and in his eyes, I can do no wrong. So who am I to complain? Life isn't perfect. Where we live right now, it's not heaven, you know. And I'm not the only one who lives an imperfect life."
Gretchen Barretto considers Tonyboy as her family's protector throughout their more than two decades of togetherness. In a Father's Day post, she told her partner, “Happy Father's Day to the man who means the world to us. Thank you for protecting our little world and for always choosing us.”
On February 3, 2021, Gretchen and Tony Boy marked their 27 years of togetherness since 1994.
In the said video, their daughter Dominique Cojuangco asks her parents: “What's your tip to everybody who wants to stay together for that long?” To which Tonyboy replied, “Always listen to Mama. The mama is always right.” We couldn't have said it better!