Julia Barretto extended warm wishes to her father, Dennis Padilla, on his 62nd birthday, offering a rare glimpse into their estranged relationship.
Padilla, known for his roles in Filipino cinema, confirmed receiving a heartfelt message from Barretto during a spontaneous interview with reporters. Expressing his surprise and joy, he recounted the unexpected moment of waking up to his daughter’s greetings, marking a significant communication between them after a prolonged period of distance.
“Noong birthday ko, nagulat din ako noong gabi na, na-receive ko ‘yung text [galing kay Julia Barretto]. Naisip ko, number pa pala niya ‘to. Hindi [ko inaasahan] makatanggap kasi ilang years na rin,” he said. “Nag-text lang siya, may short message siya d’un tas sumagot ako t’as meron din akong short message. Tapos ang sinagot niya sa’kin ay heart [emoji] so ang sinagot ko ay heart din. Actually, hindi ko alam, bigla na lang tumulo ang luha ko.”
In his remarks, Padilla shared the emotional impact of Barretto’s gesture, noting that while their exchange was brief, it left a profound impression on him. He speculated that their mutual children, Claudia and Leon, might have been aware of their sister’s outreach.
“I’m sure naman nalaman nila (Claudia and Leon) na Ate texted Papa. Si Leon ang huli kong nakausap [nang face to face]. Talagang namimiss ko sila,” he also shared.
Acknowledging the significance of the occasion, Padilla emphasized the heartfelt nature of Barretto’s message, describing it as the “best birthday gift” he received. Despite the brevity of their interaction, he expressed a longing for more private conversations and hoped for responsive communication from his children on future special occasions.
Barretto, a prominent actress and model, has yet to comment publicly on the encounter, maintaining her privacy on family matters. However, Padilla’s revelation sheds light on the complexities of their relationship, hinting at a potential path towards reconciliation.
