Gretchen Barretto (born March 17, 1969) is an actress from the Philippines.
Nickname: La Greta
Trivia: Sister-in-law of Dennis Padilla.
Daughter: Dominique (born:1995) with partner, business tycoon Tonyboy Cojuangco.
Siblings: Gia, Mito, Jay-Jay, Mitchie, Claudine , and Marjorie. The last two are also stars in their own right, while her sister Gia is based in Boston as a teacher.
Brother-in-law: Raymart Santiago
Due to her conflict with her family, she was not invited in the wedding of her youngest sister, Claudine Barretto.
Parents: Miguel Alvir Barretto and Estrella Castelo Barretto.
Partner Antonio “Tony Boy’ Cojuangco” is the owner of Associated Broadcasting Company (ABC-5) in the Philippines. This is a much publicized and controversial relationship wherein they have one child named Dominique.
Personal Quotes
“I fight back only when it gets too much. But I believe in the law of karma. I don’t push anyone … until I am pushed.”
“Never start a fight but never run from one.”
“Knowing and accepting completes me. Knowing that life can’t be perfect and accepting and acknowledging all the hurt. As one of the movies I’ve seen says … it’s not how low you fall but how high you rise after. I’m glad I’ve grown to be this strong. Everyone stumbles, but not everyone gets back on their feet.”
“If a problem doesn’t kill you, it can only make you strong. If you go through the pain and survive, then it becomes very good. That’s something money can’t buy.”
Currently, Barretto hosts a gameshow entitled “You and Me Against the World” on TV5, a channel owned by Cojuangco.
Barretto recently released a CD entitled “Unexpected” consisting of classic love songs.
Famous Controversies
In 1994, Gretchen found herself in the middle of the Metro Manila Film Festival scam, where she was alleged to be the real whistleblower.
She was also supposed to act alongside Bong Revilla in the movie Kapag Tumibok ang Puso Not Once but Twice until Lani Mercado interfered. This could be attributed to a long-standing war between the two when Gretchen was linked to Bong at the height of their careers.
Her shampoo commercial with Ruffa, Angel Aquino, and Dawn Zulueta also sparked rumors when Dawn allegedly accused Gretchen of being prima donna during the shoot. This created a verbal spat between the two, which was covered by numerous talk shows.
The biggest most covered controversy was her kissing scandal with John Estrada during Rufa Mae Quinto’s birthday party. The picture circulated around the Internet and prompted La Greta to evade any interviews even though both John and her didn’t deny what happened. Instead, she focused her energy on Tonyboy’s health as he underwent a very crucial surgery in the United States.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2008 | You & Me Against The World | host | Television |
| 2006 | Matakot ka sa Karma | Aleli | Film |
| 2001 | Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan | Andrea Crisostomo | Television |
| 2000 | Ikaw Lamang Wala nang Iba | Film | |
| 1999 | The Buzz! | host | Television |
| 1997 | Tirad Pass: The Story of Gen. Gregorio Del Pilar | Dolores Josefa | Film |
| 1995 | Di Mapigil ang Init | Teresa | Film |
| 1994 | Johnny Tinoso and the Proud Beauty | Beauty | Film |
| 1993 | Pulis Patola | Maricar | (Was Movie Trailer on RPN-9′s Movieparade) |
| 1993 | Kailangan Kita | Anna | Film |
| 1992 | Paminsan-Minsan | Jessica | (Was Movie Trailer on RPN-9′s Movieparade) |
| 1992 | Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin | Stella | Film |
| 1992 | Eh! Kasi Bata | Xerex | (Was Movie Trailer on RPN-9′s Movieparade) |
| 1992 | Ako ang katarungan (Lt. Napoleon M. Guevarra) | Film | |
| 1992 | Buddy en Sol (Sine ito) | Film | |
| 1991 | Alyas Dodong Gwapo: Huling Kilabot ng Cebu | Dorothy | (Was Movie Trailer on RPN-9′s Movieparade) |
| 1991 | Tukso layuan mo ako | Demontita/Titay | Film |
| 1991 | Ubos na ang luha ko | Film | |
| 1990 | Ama… bakit mo ako pinabayaan? | Film | |
| 1990 | Hindi laruan ang puso | Film | |
| 1990 | Beautiful Girl | Film | |
| 1989 | Ang Bukas ay Akin | Film |
1989 Lihim ng Golden Buddah Film
[...] like the Barreto sisters. Unfortunately for the idle minded rumor mongers, our research about Gretchen Barreto and the Barreto sisters here at showbiztalk found that she did not have any sister named Trisha nor any sister studying in France. Share and [...]