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Who is Leon Barretto? Meet the Barretto sibling linked to Katseye's Sophia Laforteza
Leon Barretto has recently caught public attention after being spotted at the Coachella holding hands with Sophia Laforteza of Katseye.
The two have also been seen together in several social settings, sparking curiosity among fans about their closeness.
But who exactly is Leon?
1. The only son of Marjorie Barretto and Dennis Padilla
Born Leon Marcux Baldivia, Leon came from a family of actors. He is the only son of actors Marjorie Barretto and Dennis Padilla.
He was raised primarily by his mother and grew up largely estranged from his father, a situation that has been publicly acknowledged over the years.
In 2022, Leon penned an open letter to his father addressing their strained relationship, revealing that the past decade had been particularly difficult for their family.
Despite the pain, he expressed hope for reconciliation, writing, "I long for the day when I can greet you a 'Happy Father's Day' and know that it comes from a place of gratitude and healing."
2. Younger brother of Dani, Julia, and Claudia
Leon is the younger brother of Dani, Julia, and Claudia Barretto.
Dani is his half-sister from his mother's previous relationship with actor Kier Legaspi, while Julia and Claudia are his full-blooded siblings.
On Instagram, Leon consistently shows love and appreciation for his siblings, often expressing gratitude through heartfelt posts dedicated to them.
3. He graduated from college in September 2025
Leon has been balancing his life as both an actor and a student. In 2025, he earned his degree in Marketing Communication from University of Asia and the Pacific, a milestone attended by his mother, Marjorie, along with his siblings Dani and Julia.
In his graduation post, Leon expressed heartfelt gratitude to his mother for supporting him throughout his education.
The moment was made even more special when Sophia left an endearing comment that read, "Love you so much, I'm sobbing. Congrats!"
4. A close friend to Sophia
Leon is one of Sophia's closest friends in showbiz. The two have frequently been spotted spending time together, with Sophia even joining Leon and his family on a vacation to Hong Kong.
Beyond their casual hangouts, Leon and Sophia often share TikToks together, giving fans glimpses of their close bond.
He has also been vocal in supporting her career, writing a heartfelt message following Katseye's performance at the Grammys.
After Katseye's Coachella performance, Leon took to Instagram to express his pride and admiration for Sophia, celebrating her stage moment and showing his continued support for her career.
"You were amazing, forever proud of you," he said.
5. He is passionate about movies and TV shows
As someone who comes from a family of actors, Leon is a fan of films and series.
In March, he visited the Warner Bros. Museum in Hollywood, California, where he saw sets from iconic movies and TV shows such as "F.R.I.E.N.D.S," "Crazy Rich Asians," and "Harry Potter."
He also toured the Paramount Pictures Studios earlier this month.
—MGP, GMA News
