How faith, inner strength and Direk Wenn’s life-changing advice saved Claudine

Gerry  Plaza

<div style='text-align: center;'><img src='' alt='032716-claudine1_up.jpg' width='391' height='299' align='center' border='0'> </div> How can someone like Claudine Barretto take such a difficultpersonal journey?Was it her own doing? Or was it just a cruel twist of fate? OrGod’s calling to bring her to the light?As we all witnessed, everything was just phenomenal for thisactress—molded, nurtured, and emboldened in one stellar environment, shootingto fame like no other young actress can, and become one genuine star millionslook up to.Toast of the teleserye gameClaudine became the toast of the just established primetimeteleserye game with one top-rating program after another. Of course, the entirenation first knew her as Via in her career-defining portrayal in Mula Sa Puso that made an entiregeneration of young Filipinas identify with her, and audiences in generalsympathize with her perilous yet fulfilling story. Since then, that connectionstuck with viewers in subsequent TV dramas and films.What made her even more phenomenal was her team-up with RicoYan that turned cult status after Mula SaPuso. It was a love team for the ages that truly became the inspiration ormotivating factor for a deluge of successful pairings that came after theirreign. Most of all, it became a reel-to-real life romance that swept thenation.But when Rico tragically passed on due to acute pancreatitiswhile vacationing in Palawan only five years after their love team hit thescene, Claudine’s life turned upside down and became the turning point in hercareer.Claudine took the hurt and controversies in stride andinstead focused on perfecting her craft as an actress.Best ActressShe achieved this far beyond anyone expected by receivingBest Actress trophies from prestigious film award-giving bodies for herperformances in Kailangan Kita(2002), Milan (2004), Nasaan Ka Man (2005), Dubai (2005), and Sukob (2006).And, four years after the death of Rico, Claudine found whatshe thought was the love she could enjoy forever, marrying Raymart Santiago inceremonies so breathtaking and awe-inspiring—a dream come true for any bridewalking down the aisle.She continued her reign as teleserye queen with theunforgettable Walang Kapalit and Iisa Pa Lamang that ruled primetime intheir spectacular run from 2007-2008. But as her fans eagerly awaited her nextprimetime outing on ABS-CBN, one that would have supposedly featured heropposite sister Gretchen Barretto and Derek Ramsay, she announced she had leftthe network and signed with its closest rival in 2010.Lowest pointIn the years that followed, Claudine experienced the mostpainful, bitter, gruesome episodes in her life. Her marriage with Raymart endedup in tatters after allegations of domestic violence, theft, and drug abuse ledto court cases that dwelled on fraud, protection orders and custody. This wason top of a disturbing viral video that showed her and Raymart ganging up onnewspaper columnist Mon Tulfo after an altercation in the NAIA Terminal 3Arrival Area, which led to legal action from both sides.But what really became the most hurtful chapter was herpublic and ugly word war with her own siblings over personality clashes,allegations of betrayal, and scathing name-calling. She had been accused ofdrug use, sabotaging the career of her niece Julia, and abusing her househelpers. The screams and howls of her detractors went on and on, deafening herwith despair.Life-changing remarkBut as she faced the worst, there was someone who made themost emphatic, life-changing remark that changed her perspective and inspiredher. He was the late director Wenn Deramas, who practically made Claudine thestar that she is when he helmed Mula Sa Puso,his maiden teleserye project.Claudine recalls this in an interview with ABS-CBN News: '(DirekWenn told me) na huwag ako mag breakdown, na magpakatatag para sa mga anak ko,na hindi niya binuo ang isang Claudine Barretto para sirain lang ng ibang taoor yurakan ang pagkatao. Lagi niya sinasabi na 'Kailangan mo bumangon,Claudine,'' she said.And she followed Direk Wenn’s advice wholeheartedly. To get the strength she needs to wither this storm, Claudinefound, fostered and grew a relentless faith in God. “Prayers talaga. That’s theonly thing that really kept me through. I think lahat ng trials sa buong buhayko, kasi prayerful akong tao so alam kong matatapos din ‘yon problema ko kasifaithful ako sa Diyos,” she tells ABS-CBN Lifestyle in a separate interview.Focus on positive peopleAdding to her faith is focusing on people who would trulysupport you until the end. “Surround yourself with positive people, ‘yon mga taongpagka-down na down ka, andyan. Dapat tini-treasure mo mabuti ‘yon. Dapat surroundedka lang by positive people, pag may negative, ilayo mo na ‘yon sarili mo.”With her new outlook in life, Claudine had since found theheart to come to terms with Raymart, whom she has put-off a planned annulmentand now calls a “co-parent” in rearing their kids Sabina and Santino. Claudine likewise ended her rift with the Tulfo brothersover the NAIA incident by approaching Raffy Tulfo at a restaurant in 2014 andclutched his arms in an Instagram photo she captioned: “Peace.” Mon hadpreviously said he had forgiven Claudine and Raymart.Claudine has also made peace with the once distanced sisterMarjorie and attended her niece Julia’s stellar debut party last year. It was aheartwarming sight, watching this part of the Barretto clan reconciling.ComebackAnd, with her new lease on life, it is but natural forClaudine to make one monumental push to make the joyous picture complete: hermuch-awaited comeback.Claudine has since returned to the ABS-CBN fold andreemerged as a blockbuster actress in the Star Cinema film Etiquette for Mistresses. More projects are lined up for thisOptimum Star to shine the brightest once more.<a name='_GoBack'></a><o:p> </o:p>

As we all witnessed, everything was just phenomenal for thisactress—molded, nurtured, and emboldened in one stellar environment, shootingto fame like no other young actress can, and become one genuine star millionslook up to.Toast of the teleserye gameClaudine became the toast of the just established primetimeteleserye game with one top-rating program after another. Of course, the entirenation first knew her as Via in her career-defining portrayal in Mula Sa Puso that made an entiregeneration of young Filipinas identify with her, and audiences in generalsympathize with her perilous yet fulfilling story. Since then, that connectionstuck with viewers in subsequent TV dramas and films.What made her even more phenomenal was her team-up with RicoYan that turned cult status after Mula SaPuso. It was a love team for the ages that truly became the inspiration ormotivating factor for a deluge of successful pairings that came after theirreign. Most of all, it became a reel-to-real life romance that swept thenation.But when Rico tragically passed on due to acute pancreatitiswhile vacationing in Palawan only five years after their love team hit thescene, Claudine’s life turned upside down and became the turning point in hercareer.Claudine took the hurt and controversies in stride andinstead focused on perfecting her craft as an actress.Best ActressShe achieved this far beyond anyone expected by receivingBest Actress trophies from prestigious film award-giving bodies for herperformances in Kailangan Kita(2002), Milan (2004), Nasaan Ka Man (2005), Dubai (2005), and Sukob (2006).And, four years after the death of Rico, Claudine found whatshe thought was the love she could enjoy forever, marrying Raymart Santiago inceremonies so breathtaking and awe-inspiring—a dream come true for any bridewalking down the aisle.She continued her reign as teleserye queen with theunforgettable Walang Kapalit and Iisa Pa Lamang that ruled primetime intheir spectacular run from 2007-2008. But as her fans eagerly awaited her nextprimetime outing on ABS-CBN, one that would have supposedly featured heropposite sister Gretchen Barretto and Derek Ramsay, she announced she had leftthe network and signed with its closest rival in 2010.Lowest pointIn the years that followed, Claudine experienced the mostpainful, bitter, gruesome episodes in her life. Her marriage with Raymart endedup in tatters after allegations of domestic violence, theft, and drug abuse ledto court cases that dwelled on fraud, protection orders and custody. This wason top of a disturbing viral video that showed her and Raymart ganging up onnewspaper columnist Mon Tulfo after an altercation in the NAIA Terminal 3Arrival Area, which led to legal action from both sides.But what really became the most hurtful chapter was herpublic and ugly word war with her own siblings over personality clashes,allegations of betrayal, and scathing name-calling. She had been accused ofdrug use, sabotaging the career of her niece Julia, and abusing her househelpers. The screams and howls of her detractors went on and on, deafening herwith despair.Life-changing remarkBut as she faced the worst, there was someone who made themost emphatic, life-changing remark that changed her perspective and inspiredher. He was the late director Wenn Deramas, who practically made Claudine thestar that she is when he helmed Mula Sa Puso,his maiden teleserye project.Claudine recalls this in an interview with ABS-CBN News: '(DirekWenn told me) na huwag ako mag breakdown, na magpakatatag para sa mga anak ko,na hindi niya binuo ang isang Claudine Barretto para sirain lang ng ibang taoor yurakan ang pagkatao. Lagi niya sinasabi na 'Kailangan mo bumangon,Claudine,'' she said.And she followed Direk Wenn’s advice wholeheartedly. To get the strength she needs to wither this storm, Claudinefound, fostered and grew a relentless faith in God. “Prayers talaga. That’s theonly thing that really kept me through. I think lahat ng trials sa buong buhayko, kasi prayerful akong tao so alam kong matatapos din ‘yon problema ko kasifaithful ako sa Diyos,” she tells ABS-CBN Lifestyle in a separate interview.Focus on positive peopleAdding to her faith is focusing on people who would trulysupport you until the end. “Surround yourself with positive people, ‘yon mga taongpagka-down na down ka, andyan. Dapat tini-treasure mo mabuti ‘yon. Dapat surroundedka lang by positive people, pag may negative, ilayo mo na ‘yon sarili mo.”With her new outlook in life, Claudine had since found theheart to come to terms with Raymart, whom she has put-off a planned annulmentand now calls a “co-parent” in rearing their kids Sabina and Santino. Claudine likewise ended her rift with the Tulfo brothersover the NAIA incident by approaching Raffy Tulfo at a restaurant in 2014 andclutched his arms in an Instagram photo she captioned: “Peace.” Mon hadpreviously said he had forgiven Claudine and Raymart.Claudine has also made peace with the once distanced sisterMarjorie and attended her niece Julia’s stellar debut party last year. It was aheartwarming sight, watching this part of the Barretto clan reconciling.ComebackAnd, with her new lease on life, it is but natural forClaudine to make one monumental push to make the joyous picture complete: hermuch-awaited comeback.Claudine has since returned to the ABS-CBN fold andreemerged as a blockbuster actress in the Star Cinema film Etiquette for Mistresses. More projects are lined up for thisOptimum Star to shine the brightest once more.<a name='_GoBack'></a><o:p> </o:p>

<div style='text-align: center;'><img src='' alt='032716-claudine1_up.jpg' width='391' height='299' align='center' border='0'> </div> How can someone like Claudine Barretto take such a difficultpersonal journey?Was it her own doing? Or was it just a cruel twist of fate? OrGod’s calling to bring her to the light?

How faith, inner strength and Direk Wenn’s life-changing advice saved Claudine | PUSH.COM.PH