Gretchen Barretto On Working With Goma And John Lloyd, About Her Daughter Dominique Joining Showbiz & Their Family Feud

GRETCHEN BARRETTO did a horror movie last year, the Cinemalaya entry “Diplomat Hotel”, that was so bad it’s hardly comprehensible. She’s glad she can now redeem herself in a new movie helmed by A-list director Chito Rono, “The Trial”, which reunites her with Richard Gomez.

“I was only 14 years old when I did my first movie with Goma, ‘Paalam Bukas ang Kasal Ko’, sa Regal,” she says. “Then we did ‘Lumayo Ka Man sa Akin’ for Seiko. Ngayon lang naulit with Star Cinema. It’s always nice to work with him as he’s one of the best actors in our generation.”

“I remember our first time to work together, I found Gretchen so sexy,” says Goma. “Naka-bathing suit kasi siya roon and she’s really sexy.”

“The Trial” also gives Gretchen the chance to work with a young actor she openly admires, John Lloyd Cruz. “Now that I’ve returned to the industry that I loved most, one of my ultimate dreams is to work with John Lloyd because I watch his movie and I believe in his talent. And more than that, I really am the biggest fan of John Lloyd. But sa shoot, I didn’t feel that there was a John Lloyd on the set because he comes to the shooting already into his character. Siya na si Ronald. Ganun siya ka-absorbed sa role niya.”

In the film, Gretchen plays Amanda, a developmental psychologist and wife of Richard Gomez who plays Julian, the lawyer who defends the mentally-challenged Ronald in court when he is accused of raping his teacher, Jessy Mendiola. “My relationship with Richard is also on trial here because we’re on the verge of separation. Mabigat yung role ko and I was first very nervous about it. But it’s good Direk Chito Rono guided me in interpreting my role. I also want to thank Richard because he’s so supportive in our scenes together.”

Is her only child and daughter Dominique Cojuangco, who was introduced as a Bench model with Addie Manzano (daughter of Edu) and Sam Rodriguez (daughter of the late Miguel Rodriguez), also joining showbiz? “She’s just into modelling now and she’s so fabulous she can easily surpass me if she wants to. Siempre, dream ng every mother for her daughter to be better than her in every way. But right now, she’s busy with her studies in London, so yun muna ang priority niya.”

About their family feud involving sister Claudine and their parents, Gretchen refuses to talk. “Let’s just focus on the positive and put all the negative things behind. It’s pointless to dwell on the past. I look forward to having a great future. I have a new movie, ‘The Trial’, maganda ito, I’m so proud of it, I wish people would support it.”