(from left) Dennis Padilla, Leon Barreto, Julia Barretto, Claudia Barretto, Catalina Dominguez. Photo: Dennis Padilla / Instagram

MANILA, Philippines – After all the years of yearning, comedian Dennis Padilla finally ends his relationship with children Julia, Claudia and Leon Barretto “carrying with him a father’s heavy heart to his grave.” 

This was Padilla’s stern statement during his phone patch interview with talent manager and showbiz vlogger Ogie Diaz where he poured out his pain of not being recognized as the bride’s father during his daughter’s wedding. 

Claudia, his second daughter with former wife Marjorie Barretto, tied the knot with longtime non-showbiz boyfriend Basti Lorenzo on Tuesday (April 8) at St. James The Great Parish sa Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa City. 

What happened

In the interview, Padilla detailed how he and his family including his younger brother Gene Padilla and their 82-year-old mother Catalina Dominguez were in so much excitement at going to the wedding until they were taken aback in tears at not being given any recognition.

Padilla recalled Claudia asking him at a dinner weeks prior to look good on her big day.  Because of her words, besides him being the father, he thought he was going to walk his daughter down the aisle. 

But as people were arriving the church, Padilla said he asked the coordinator where he was designated to sit only to be surprised at being told to sit with the god fathers. 

“Bakit mo ko doon pauupuin Ogie, ninong ba ko?” He said. 

As the ceremonies started, he saw his daughter walking down the aisle along with her mother and brother. There, his tears just fell. 

“Nakita ko na lang si Marjorie ang katabing umupo si Leon. So I don’t have a place, naiyak na ko,” he said as his voice cracked. 

“So while the march was going on, half through it nung tumatawid na si Claudia wala na nakatayo na lang ako, nag-o-observe na lang ako pumapatak ang luha ko grabe,” he said. 

“One of the most painful part ng buhay ko. Wala to sa kalahati nung mga naranasan ko nung nakaraan pati nung debut wala,” he said. 

What struck his heart even more, Padilla said, was seeing his 82-year-old mother cry at how they, especially her son, were treated during the wedding of his own daughter. 

“Sobra akong na-hurt nung umiyak ang nanay ko. Tumalikod ako kasi ayokong makita ng nanay ko na umiiyak ako. Humagulgol ang nanay ko sobra. 82 years old ‘yun namumutla na,” he said. 

‘Ayaw ni Claudia ‘yung nangyari’

As things were unfolding, the emotional father went up to the coordinator and asked why he was not asked to walk his daughter down the aisle. The coordinator told him that the issue was raised to the family but was instructed to just follow the program they gave. 

“Sabi nila ‘Sir I know what you feel, we feel you sir. Ni-raise ko po ‘yan issue na ‘yan during our meeting ang sabi po sa akin just follow the program that I gave you, wala po kaming magawa.’” Padilla said, quoting the wedding coordinator. 

It was at this point that his brother decided for them to leave after the church ceremony and no longer proceed to the reception as he likely might not have any place there too.

After asking organizers to just hand over his gift to the couple so they may leave, the coordinator asked him to stay for a while because his daughter wanted to have a photo with him. 

“Si Claudia ayaw niya ‘yung nangyari. Na-fee-feel ko eh. Gusto niya ko umupo dun eh, gusto niya ko maghatid sa kanya. I can see it in her eyes eh. Nararamdaman ko kahapon eh. Pagharap niya sa mga tao, hinahanap niya ko,” he said. 

‘This is a permanent goodbye’ 

Emotional and disappointed, the crying father called Julia and Leon to ask what happened but his repeated calls weren’t answered. 

Even while at the wedding he said, his children did not come up to him to greet him or give him any place. 

This is where he drew the line and decided to cut his relationship with his children whom he spent years reaching out to and asking forgiveness from. 

With firm conviction, the disappointed father said he won’t give them any chance to see or talk to him again until he dies. 

“Paalam na sa inyo. This is a permanent goodbye,” he said. 

With his voice cracking, Padilla said, “Maybe the last time that you will see me, sa loob na ng kabaong ko ‘yun.” 

“‘Di ko naman kayo i-ba-ban doon anak ko kayo eh pwede kayong bumisita roon, kung gusto niyo mag-donate pambili ng biskwit pwede rin,” he said. 

Julia, Claudia, Leon or anyone from the Barretto family have not released any statement yet regarding Padilla’s revelations. 

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