Claudine happy as single mom
Optimum Star Claudine Barretto has committed to consider suitors only after her marriage to Raymart Santiago is officially annulled. During a press conference for her upcoming movie "Sinag" in Morato, Quezon City, Claudine mentioned that she has no special someone other than her children.
"Wala pa ring laman ang puso ko kundi mga anak ko. Sa ilang years kong hiwalay, kasal pa rin ako. Ayokong makita ng mga anak ko na may ibang lalaki na umaaligid or magkaroon ako ng ibang relasyon until matapos ang annulment namin ni Raymart.
(My heart is empty, but my children. After being separated for several years, I am still married. I don't want my children to see another man hanging around or that I have another relationship until my marriage with Raymart is annulled.)
"Hindi ako nag-a-accept ng suitors ngayon although may mga tsismis pero wala namang proof na meron. Sarado ang puso ko ngayon hanggang ma-annulled," she said.
(I am not accepting suitors now, although there are rumors, but there is no proof. My heart is closed now until it is annulled.)
Claudine married Raymart on
March 27, 2006. But they separated in 2015. They have a son named Santino, 16. She adopted three children: Sabina, Quiah, and Noah. Currently, Claudine and Raymart are in a legal battle.
Despite the separation, Claudine said her children love Raymart.
"Kung ano man ang problem namin ni Raymart, sa amin na lang yun. As they grow old, alam na nila kung ano ang nangyayari. I explain them that there are things I have to fight for and this is para sa inyo. Hanggang doon lang ang explanation ko. Yung mga details wala na," she said.
Claudine, 44, said she is excited about the upcoming project because her son Santino will help director Elaine Crisostomo co-direct the movie.
"It's a fantasy film. Tungkol ito sa diwata. Pero yung pagka diwata ng movie is very classical. Talagang super research kami sa project na ito. May mga bidang artista pa ang inaayos namin. Hopefully maayos namin sila Claudine, and her sisters Gretchen and Marjorie (na makasama sa movie). For sure blockbuster yun," said Elaine.
She also said: "Noong nabasa ko ang synopsis, masasabi ko na ibang-iba ito. Isang karangalan na mai-direct si Claudine. Alam kong magiging blockbuster rin ito."
Claudine also said she has no restrictions or limitations when shooting for a movie or series except for the schedule.
"When I shoot a movie, siguro pinaka late na hanggang 12 midnight or 2 a.m. Hindi na tayo bumabata. Dati kasi ang taping start ng 7 p.m. at matatapos kami ng 4 p.m. the next day. Ganyan ang mga shoot before.
"So ngayon may cut-off na. In terms of limitations, wala talaga ever since. Nung teenager ako kahit kissing scenes ginawa ko na.
"I grew up with ABS-CBN and Star Cinema and they gave me the best directors for my projects. Thank God at walang nag-flop kahit isa roon. I always put my trust in the director. Sa ibang bansa, ang artista yata ang nasusunod. Pero sa atin, ang director ang captain of the ship. Para sa akin ang artista wala dapat limitations (when it comes to doing scenes.)," she said.
Claudine also praised Aida Patana, one of the producers of the movie, who she considers a sister. "Matagal na ang pinagsamahan namin ni Aida. At my lowest point, she was there. She believed in me. That time halos lahat ng tao tumalikod na sa akin but Ms Aida was there for me."
Daiana Menezes and Bea Glorioso, the movie producer, also joined the press conference.