Claudine Barretto defends Piolo Pascual on photo with son Iñigo

MANILA, Philippines – Actress Claudine Barretto defended her former leading man and good friend Piolo Pascual over malicious comments regarding the photo of him and son Iñigo that some detractors turned into an issue.

On Monday, July 25, Claudine posted this message on Instagram. 

“First of all I’m not a person na mapagpatol (who will react) only up to a certain point. There are people whose personal hobby and I guess HABIT na manira at manakit at mag SPREAD NG FALSE, PAINFUL, BELOW THE BELT COMMENTS sa mga artista na di inaman nila EVER NAKASAMA O KAKILALA PERSONALLY!!

(There are people whose personal hobby and I guess habit is to destroy and hurt and spread false, painful, below the belt comments about artists whom they never even met or know personally.)

“I am very protective of the people I love and know so soo well like ang tagal na kaseng ganito mga rumors kelan ba kayo titigil. Ako at mga kaibigan, kapatid at kapamilya ni Piolo ang MAS NAKAKAKILALA SA KANYA. Sobrang kabastusan na etong mga memes nyo tungkol kay Pj at [Iñigo Pascual] gusto ko pong makiusap at mapagtanggol si Piolo simply because I know him very well,” Claudine wrote.

(I am very protective of the people I love and know so well. These rumors have been ongoing for a long time and when will this stop. Friends and I, and siblings and family of Piolo are the ones who know him. The memes about PJ and Iñigo are very rude already and I want to defend Piolo simply because I know him well.)

“You guys are hitting not only a good but [a] GREAT MAN! Wala hong ginagawa sa kanila yung tao. Rumespeto naman tayo sa inambag ng isang Piolo Pascual sa industriya. Dahil kapag nabigyan kayo ng pagkakataon makilala si Piolo sinisiguro ko lahat ng mga nambabash sa kanya mapapahiya po kayo. At please lang wag tayo mandamay ng mga anak.” 

(You guys are hititng not only a good but [a] great man. He has not done anything wrong to anyone. Please respect what Piolo Pascual has given to the industry. If you get the chance to know Piolo, I’m sure those bashing him would be embarrassed. And please, let’s not let this affect the kids.)

Claudine appeared with Piolo in shows such as Buttercup, Walang Kapalit and the movie Milan.

In an interview last week, Piolo just shrugged the issue off, saying he and Iñigo have always been affectionate with each other. 

“Sa tagal ko ba naman sa industriya, papatol pa ba tayo?

(I’ve been in the showbiz industry for a long time now, so should I even comment?)

“Ipinagkibit-balikat na lang yun at mas maraming may kuwentang gawin sa buhay kaysa pumatol,” he said.

(I just shrug it off because there are more worthwhile things to do than to react to critics.) – Rappler.com