Claudine considers Vilma’s unexpected call as a “divine intervention”
Trigger Warning: Suicide and Depression
Claudine Barretto shared how the “Star For All Seasons,” Vilma Santos, played a pivotal role in preventing her from taking drastic actions after the tragic death of her love team and real-life boyfriend, Rico Yan.
Rico died in March 2002 at Dos Palmas Beach Resort in Palawan due to acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis.
Claudine shared how she felt in those dark moments in an interview with Vilma’s son, Luis Manzano on his YouTube vlog, “Luis Listens.”
The Optimum Star revealed, “Those were the times that I really wanted to give up. When you’re really down and depressed, you can’t really think straight and your mom is parang angel talking to me.
“At the time, I wanted to end everything. I was writing a goodbye note.”
Claudine then received an unexpected call from Vilma, whom she worked with in the 2000 movie “Anak.”
Calling the call a divine intervention, Claudine narrated, “After I think three or four hours, your mom called out of the blue, and sabi niya, ‘How are you?’
“Then, umiiyak na ako ng umiiyak. Sabi niya, ‘Don’t do anything.’ I think that’s God’s way, divine intervention na tumawag ‘yung mom mo.”
It also adds that she has high regard for Vilma because aside from being a veteran, award-winning actress, they shared a close relationship while doing “Anak.”
Claudine continues, “This is somebody I cannot say no ‘to. Ganon kataas ang respeto ko sa kanya na kapag sinabi niya na ‘Don’t do this,’ hindi ko gagawin talaga.”
Claudine went on to share a second instance where Vilma comforted her during a nervous breakdown.
She said Vilma visited her home and played a nurturing role, reminiscent of their roles in “Anak.”
“Pumunta siya sa bahay. But this time, I wasn’t thinking naman to do anything bad.
“I was just really having a nervous breakdown. Pumunta siya, she tucked me in, like a mom,” she said.
READ: Claudine Barretto Reveals Closeness with Judy Ann Santos
Claudine first revealed her close relationship with Vilma when the latter celebrated her 60th year in the acting industry.
She said in a TV special, “I will forever be grateful kasi there were times na when I was really down, siya ang unang tumatawag, siya ‘yung nagre-reach out at siya lang ‘yung nakakaintindi.
“And siguro, sa sobrang laki ng respeto at pagmamahal ko sa kanya, God used her as an instrument para magkaroon ako ng paniniwala ulit sa sarili ko, to love myself again.
“Kasi kung kaya kang mahalin ng isang Vilma Santos, ‘yun ang pakiramdam ko, kaya ko ring mahalin ang sarili ko. So, you’re God’s gift to so many people dito sa industriya na ito. I love you so much and thank you, because of you, my children still have a mom.”
READ: Claudine Barretto Returns to Doing Teleseryes in “Lovers & Liars”
If you or a loved one are experiencing mental health difficulties, you can reach out to the National Mental Health Crisis Hotline at 0917-899-8727/090-863-92672 or visit Mental Health PH for more resources.
Banner Art Dani Sison
