- Atong Ang explained his viral photo with Gretchen Barretto
- He negated rumors about their romantic relationship
- Gretchen also reacted to her photo with Ang
Businessman Atong Ang clarified his connection with former actress Gretchen Barretto.
This came after his ‘sleeping’ photo with Gretchen went viral on the internet supposedly confirming his romantic ties with the latter. In the photo,Gretchen was seen leaning on Ang while holding his hands apparently on a plane ride.
Speaking with the TV Patrol anchor Noli de Castro on Thursday, October 24, Ang negated the rumors and explained that his wife and Gretchen are friends and he also has fŕequent meetings with Tonyboy Cojuangco, Gretchen’s partner.
“Lagi kaming marami, kasama lahat,” he said.
Ang further explained that it must have been taken during their flight home from Japan or Macau, where they had one of their joint family vacations.
On why Gretchen was seated with him and not with Cojuangjco, he further explained, “Ito kasi ‘yung rule nila Tony sa family nila. Sabay silang nag-ta-travel pero magkahiwalay lagi ng eroplano, kasi iisa ang anak nila, e. Baka madisgrasya, baka may mangyari sa isa, kaya laging hiwalay.”
He also added that he is close with the former actress whom he treats like a sister.
“Si Gretchen kasi, very close sa akin, parang kapatid ko talaga ‘yan. Katabi ko. Kuwento nang kuwento, inaantok na ako. Ang daming sinasabi kasi makuwento talaga ‘yan.
“Sabi ko, ‘G, matutulog na muna ako, sige na.’ Kaya ginano’n ko ‘yung kamay niya. ‘Tama na muna, matutulog na muna ako.’ Siguro stewardess ‘yung kumuha ng picture. Hindi ko tinatanggi ‘yun.”
Ang also diregarded their holding hands photo with Gretchen saying that it only showed his courtliness.
“Kung naglalakad, gentleman tayo, tatawid tayo, alangan naman hindi mo hawakan ang isang tao. Anak ko nga, lagi kong kaakbay, e,” he said.
“Ngayon kung ang tingin nila, kung sinasabi nila—kapareho ni Marjorie, na ang tingin din ni Nicole—girlfriend ko si Gretchen, conclusion lang nila ‘yon,” he said.
Gretchen’s sister, Marjorie first mentioned Ang’s name as the supposed “powerful boyfriend” of her older sister, who arrived with her at the October 16 wake of their father, Miguel. In a recent televised interview, she claimed that Ang was formerly in a five-year relationship with her niece, Nicole, until he was “stolen” by Gretchen. This issue, accordingly, caused the fight of the Barretto sisters at their father’s wake.
Following Ang’s statements, Gretchen also denied the rumors about her alleged relationship with the former triggered by the viral photo.
In her Instagram Stories post, Gretchen reposted the said photo and wrote: “Unaware I crossed s bit over a bit much. … This photo was sent through direct message … It is clear I was asleep on a plane ride.”
In reaction to the photo, Gretchen pointed there was nothing malicious with it as opposed to her sister’s claims. “Nothing wrong with these photos. Fully clothed, no naked photos like of (Marjorie itchie-very),” Gretchen wrote.
Ang identified Gretchen as his business partner having investments in his cockfighting and casino ventures while he said Nicole was his former employee.
