PEP: Gretchen reflects on 'complicated' life

There is something about Gretchen Barretto that makes her a certified controversy magnet. While other stars struggle and pull strings to draw attention, La Greta, despite appearing sporadically in the limelight, maintains the public's avid interest either by opening up or by simply keeping her lips sealed to avoid controversy. Last year, Gretchen surprised everyone when she embarked on a career in music with her debut album titled Unexpected under Star Records. The record revealed a side of Gretchen known only to close intimates. Still buoyed by the success of her newfound career, Gretchen recently released her second album, Complicated. Typical of Gretchen, she candidly announced that the songs included in her sophomore record aptly reflect her current love state. "I was recording right before my birthday. Regalo ko 'to sa sarili ko at sa lahat ng mga taong in love at out of love. Because if you notice, 'yong mga songs na napili ko, meron mga heartbreak songs and love songs. Kasi sa buhay ng tao 'pag nai-in love ka na-a-out of love ka rin o nasasaktan. Nobody can escape heartbreak. 'Yon ang pinagdadaanan ng lahat so I dedicate this to all." Before officially signing a contract with Star Records, Gretchen faced the entertainment press last March 24 to answer album-related and personal questions. PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) listed down some of Gretchen's interesting quotes during the interview. LIVING THE GOOD LIFE. Being love-partner to business magnate Tonyboy Cojuangco certainly makes Gretchen's life more privileged compared to others. The former actress, however, brushed off the notion. "'Di ba people always ask me, 'Ano pa ang wala si Gretchen Barretto?' Well, the good news is I don't have everything. That's the good news," she readily replied. "Because you know we live in an imperfect world, which means we are imperfect, di ba? So 'yon, there are things I don't have in life. But it's okay because whatever I don't have, I've gone this far." NAMING SECOND ALBUM 'COMPLICATED'. Most singers or musicians downplay the connection of songs and album titles to their personal lives. As easy as it is for most artists to express their feelings through art, they find it uncomfortable to discuss the meaning of their art point-by-point. Doing so would expose their vulnerability before the public. Gretchen was upfront, however, in explaining her decision to choose Complicated for an album title. "Because my life is complicated and my status is complicated kaya Complicated and title, di ba obvious naman?" she revealed candidly. HER COMPLICATED LIFE. Being Gretchen Barretto is certainly not easy. And that speaks a lot about her personal life. "Not that I want my life to be complicated," she explained, "but it is complicated. You know the saying, 'You have to make do of whatever your situation is or whatever you have'. If I take things too seriously and really just dwell on my life being complicated, I'd really be so down and out. So I'd like to celebrate that my life is complicated because I know that someday it won't be. I know that I have something to look forward to, and that's a settled life... a more peaceful life." LOVE AND ITS LESSONS. Gretchen's lovelife has always been a source of public fascination. Though she's more identified as Tonyboy's partner, nagging rumors about her alleged liaisons continue to color La Greta's mystique. A self-confessed hopeless romantic, Gretchen gamely shared how love kept her sane in the face of controversies and issues. "Love has kept me alive or is keeping me alive. There's so much hope and so much to live for because of love," said Gretchen. FINDING HAPPINESS. When asked about her current situation, particularly her lovelife, Gretchen refused to be specific. "I'm happier now," she coyly replied. "I believe I'm happier now. I know where I'm going." - Philippine Entertainment Portal