Gretchen on Nadia Montenegro: ‘I want to forgive her’

The eventful encounter between Nadia Montenegro and Gretchen Barretto in a hotel last week gave showbiz news readers something to talk and wonder about since it involved the perfect mix of betrayal, politics, and a music album. Startalk's comedic tandem Lolit Solis and Joey de Leon got the opportunity to interview through phone patch the lively (and oddly melodic) Gretchen in an attempt to clear the air of speculation and bring Greta and Nadia's friendship back in tune. Joey decided to ask the serious questions first. He said, "Hindi na ako magpapaliguy-ligoy. Puwede mo sagutin ang tanong ko o hindi. Totoong may album ka daw na lalabas?" "Ay naku, ‘yan ang hindi tsismis!" Gretchen answered as if on cue. "Meron akong album, The Gretchen Barretto Unexpected! Available na sa lahat ng record bars." With that, the airwaves suddenly filled with a singing Gretchen's rendition of Audrey Hepburn's "Moon River." GRETCHEN'S VERSION Joey who probably thought that asking an icebreaker question would've set a relaxed mood, now poised himself in asking Greta about her encounter with Nadia. Before he could finish, Greta immediately reacted with, "Nako, huwag na natin anohin ‘yan." "Okay, d'yan po nagtatapos ang ating interview..." Joey jokingly answered back as Gretchen and Lolit laughed. Rephrasing his earlier question, Joey said, "Sa sarili mong version, sino ba talaga nag-initiate nitong meeting at ano ba talagang nangyari?" "Lahat kami," Gretchen answered, "Sina Cristy Fermin, Jobert Sucaldito, Tanya and Nadia-gusto talaga naming magtagpo kasi, para walang sisihan at malaman talaga kung saan nag-umpisa ang istorya. Hindi ko naman sinuspetsa talaga si Nadia. Kaya kami nagkita [Nadia, Jobert, and Cristy], para malinaw." "Pero Gretch," Lolit followed, "Bakit kasama yung isang government official sa meeting?" "Kasi po, kami ang nalalagay sa mga diyaryo at tabloids," Gretchen replied. "So, para lang malaman namin na klaro lahat. Yung lahat po na na-involve doon sa na-tsismis, nandun lahat, para klaro." Before both Lolit and Joey could react, Gretchen expressed that she didn't really want to talk about it since issues like these are very burdensome-to her personal life and career. "Ayos na ba kayo ni Nadia?" Lolit inquired. Gretchen replied, "Hindi maganda yung entry namin, pero siguro sa tamang panahon, ‘pag hindi na masyado mainit ang ulo at wala ka nang hurt, eh, puwede na ulit mag-usap. Pero mabuti sa ngayon, huwag muna." How about the reported hysteria, shouting, crying, and wineglass hurling? Did it really happen? "Hindi mo naman maaalis yun di'ba, ‘pag nag-uusap," Gretchen said. "May iyakan, may sigawan, maya-maya kung anu-ano na. Pero ganyan talaga yun. Normal lang yun." Lolit immediately asked, "Pati ikaw, umiyak ka? Nag-hysteria ka din?" "Syempre umiyak ako, alam mo naman, iyakin ako, di'ba?" Gretchen replied. "Akala ko, iniiyakan mo lang, eh, mga diamonds," Lolit joked. Gretchen, who might've misheard Lolit's comment, said, "Ahh, ‘yan ang hindi ko binato! Haha!" Joey, who has been quietly listening to the playful banter of the two ladies, was suddenly remembered by Gretchen and she proceeded in telling him that it was his turn to do the questioning. Upon hearing the go signal from Gretchen, Joey began by asking another Nadia-related question. Before he got into mid-sentence, however, Gretchen interrupted him, saying that she didn't want to hear it. A confused Joey shot, "Tignan mo, gusto mo akong marinig pero ayan, ayaw mong marinig. Ano ba talaga?" "Ayoko," Gretchen insisted. "Ang dami ko pang trabaho. Alam mo ba, pagkatapos nito, eh, pupunta pa ako sa SM Marilao Bulacan. May mini-concert ako doon." "Alam mo bang nandoon si Nadia?" Joey joked, trying again to get Nadia's name in the conversation. "Pag negative, ayoko nang marinig," Gretchen said. "Alam mo ba ang policy ko sa buhay, eh, ‘pag negative ayoko nang marinig. You have to shield yourself from things that are not good or negative. Kasi ako, ayoko magsabi ng negative about anybody dahil pagdating ng panahon, mahirap yung lulunkin mo mga sinabi mo." Possibly detecting the seriousness in Gretchen's voice, Lolit immediately changed the mood into something lighter by asking a well-delivered quick question. "May bago ka na naman daw na papa [boyfriend]." "Alam mo ‘Nay [Lolit]," sighed Gretchen, "Kahit sinong katabi ko, nili-link sa akin. Kahit saan ako, makatabi ko lang kahit sino, sabihin nila, boyfriend ko na. Sino na naman yun?" "Ikaw magsabi ng pangalan," Lolit dared. "Si Ricky Yabut? Friend ko lang yun," Gretchen offered. "Anong sinasabi ni Tonyboy tungkol sa tsismis na ito?" Lolit asked. "Wala naman," Gretchen replied. "Alam naman niya, eh. Ganito naman dito sa Pilipinas, eh, katabi mo lang, sasabihin na agad na boyfriend mo na. Hindi ko naman boyfriend. Girlfriend ni Ricky Yabut, 20-something years old. 25 lang yata, napakaganda!" "Ano ‘yan, kanina ayaw mo sumagot, ngayon wala ka nang tigil!" Joey quipped. "I'm just his friend," Gretchen said, dispelling rumors about her alleged affair with Ricky. "Si Dominic, how is she taking this?" Joey asked. "Ok naman siya kasi hindi siya nanonood ng TV. So, sanay na siya. Sabi nga niya ako ang the Paris Hilton of the Philippines. Sanay na siya sa akin," ang sabi ni La Greta. "Gretch, kung ikaw si Paris Hilton," Joey said. Then pointing to Lolit, he exclaimed "Ito naman si Lolit Sofitel." The three laughed. MESSAGE FOR NADIA. When asked about how the issue between her and Nadia would end, the positive Gretchen gave her lengthy opinion. "You know, masyado na kaming matatanda para mag-away. Ako, sa dami-dami ng blessing na binibigay ng Panginoon, eh, I will always find a place in my heart to forgive Nadia and to understand Nadia. Ayoko magsabi ng negative tungkol sa kanya dahil ayoko lunukin yun bukas or next week. Gusto kong magbagong-buhay, gusto kong mahalin siya at patawarin siya. In time, that will all happen." Before hanging up, Gretchen sang to the fortunate Startalk cast, crew, and viewers her heartwarming version of "Fly Me to the Moon." She even quipped that she was really the one singing and not some ghost singer. - Philippine Entertainment Portal