In an emotional and revealing interview with Ogie Diaz, former actress and vlogger Marjorie Barretto offered heartfelt advice to single women and young girls—urging them to be careful in choosing a life partner, drawing from her own experiences with ex-husband Dennis Padilla.
“This is my advice to my children, and my advice to all single women: when you choose your future partners, when you have a boyfriend na red flag na talaga, isipin mo na kung ikaw kaya mo ’to, he will be the future father of your children,” Marjorie said.
“So you choose well. Choose someone na dapat tini-treat well ka na kasi ’yan ang magiging tatay ng mga anak mo.”
Barretto warned that ignoring early signs of a partner’s temper or behavior could ultimately hurt the children more than anyone else.
“Kung may makita ka ng bad temper, ’wag mo ng pakasalan, kasi ang papaluin niyan, ang sisigawan niyan, ang painful words niyan, doon sa magiging anak ninyo,” she stressed.
She became emotional as she apologized to her children, saying that while she had the ability to walk away from the marriage, they were left to deal with the lifelong reality of having a complicated relationship with their father.
“Sometimes I really apologize to my kids kasi sabi ko, I left the marriage. I had the luxury to leave your father. Sila, they’re stuck for life. I’m so sorry I chose wrong,” she admitted.
“But I’ll tell you, I will love you enough, my children enough. I will protect you enough. I will [be] enough for a father and a mother [for all of you].”
Her statements came in the wake of the recent controversy surrounding the wedding of her daughter Claudia Barretto to Basti Lorenzo, where Dennis Padilla—though invited—publicly expressed hurt over not having a role in the ceremony.
The online fallout intensified when Dennis’s siblings, Gene and Jennifer Padilla, criticized the Barretto children on social media. Marjorie did not hold back in defending her kids and correcting what she called “unfair narratives.”
“Gene and Jen, ipinagtatanggol ninyo ’tong kapatid n’yo—anak ko itong ginagano’n ninyo? You’re wishing karma on my children? Really?” Marjorie fired back.
“Gene, pinagta-trabahuan ng mga anak ko ’yan. Do not punish my children if their life is good. They work so hard for what they have.”
Marjorie also pointed out that despite the many hurtful statements coming from Dennis and his side, her children have chosen to remain silent.
“Did any of my children talk bad about their father in interviews? Never. They suffer in silence. It has an effect on their mental health.”
Barretto’s closing message was a mix of strength and regret—urging women not to settle for a partner they may later regret, especially when children are involved.
As of writing, the Padilla family has yet to publicly respond to her statements. LionhearTV remains open to publishing their side.
