How soon are Gretchen Barretto and Tonyboy Cojuangco getting married?
"Hmmmmm," Gretchen tarried. "I don’t want to answer that."
Now, is it true that she’s the reigning queen of ABC 5, where Tonyboy is top honcho?
Gretchen loosened up and laughed.
"I know I’m a queen in every aspect but not at ABC 5."
Rumor has it that she "meddles" in the ABC 5 business, "masterminding" the piracy of talents from other stations. True or false?
"I do help when asked to but I never meddle," said Gretchen, mother of Dominique, 9. "Since I know the ins and outs of the business, I do make suggestions. But when Tony tells me, ‘It’s not possible,’ I just shut up."
Since she’s on extended "leave" from showbiz, Gretchen is basically a lady of leisure, devoting her time to being Tonyboy’s partner and Dominique’s mother.
"I’ve also been boxing at the Elorde Gym (in Parañaque City) for several months now."
What for?
"To knock people out," she laughed out loud.
These past three years, Gretchen has also been busy with a few endorsements, including for Plains & Prints.
"Otherwise, I have all my time for myself and my family."
Vital statistics: 5’4.5", 115 lbs., wears extra-small shirts and size 8 shoes ("Too big, isn’t it?").
So here’s Gretchen for some "body talk":
How did you get such a body to die for?
"I worked hard at it, really hard! Discipline. Since I grew up in this business, I have to work hard to have not just a good body but a healthy body. In this business, nagmi-makeup ka, nagpupuyat ka and all that. I’ve been doing that for 12 years! When I retired from the movies, I felt, ‘Hey, I have to take advantage of all the spare time I have’ – you know, make bawi for all the makeup and the puyat."
Have you ever been fat?
"Not that I remember. Maybe a little over-weight... by five pounds... but never fat. You know naman women. They always think they’re fat."
What kind of diet do you follow?
"I’m vegetarian but not completely. I still eat fish and seafood."
How many glasses of liquid (water and juices) do you take everyday?
"Oh, a lot. But not soda; I never take soda. I drink a lot of water because I work out in the gym."
What kind of workout do you do?
"Boxing. Running. Skipping rope."
How much sleep do you get everyday?
"Nine hours. Not less than that."
How do you make up for (occasional) lack of sleep?
"I seldom lack sleep. We’re very strict, Tony and I. We don’t have a nightlife. We’re in bed at 8:30 or 9 p.m., except on weekends when we stay up a little late."
Why no nightlife?
"You have a choice naman, e, di ba? Our choice is to be good parents to Dominique and to our bodies. Tony is also no longer younger. He does the stationary bike at home."
What vitamins and minerals do you take?
"Vitamins E and C, plus calcium. I eat healthy."
Do you apply anything on your face?
"No, I don’t. Just moisturizer. And I use eye gel."
What about outlook in life? Are you an optimist or a pessimist (worrier)?
"I’m a very positive person, especially now that I have Tony and we have a child. I’m a fighter kasi, e. Di ba kapag fighter ka you’re positive?"
How do you cope with stress?
"Boxing. Exercise. I pray."
What’s the most vulnerable part of your body?
(Laughs) "My mouth. Mabilis mag-react ang mouth ko. When I feel that I’m being hit below the belt, my first impulse is to say something bad. Seriously now, it’s my back. I have a bad back. I think a lot of people have a back problem. I was born with it. Parang scoliotic, you know."
What part of your body is your favorite?
"Now? My abs."
And which part is Tony’s favorite?
"My face daw, sabi niya. He told me he loves waking up looking at my face."
Is there any part of your body you want changed or improved on?
"Right now? None. I’m maintaining every part of my body."
How’s your love life?
"Very okay."
And how’s your sex life?
"What do you think? I’d rather not talk about it."
Are you vain like most good-looking women?
"Am I vain? I don’t really know if I am."
How much time do you spend in front of the mirror?
"Oh, not much. You know, the minute I wake up I’m in a rush because I take Dominique to school. And then I fetch her from school. It takes me only a few minutes."
When you have to go to a social function, how long does it take you to fix yourself?
"Patrick Rosas does me. It takes around 20 minutes to do my makeup and a few minutes to do my hair. My dress? It depends on my mood. Sometimes I take a little time choosing which one."
Do you sleep in the nude?
"No. Our aircon is freezing cold. If I do, I’ll get sick. Tony also never sleeps in the nude. He wears boxer shorts."
Name three actresses who have a beautiful body like yours.
"None." (Laughs and laughs) "Confident, ‘no?"
What about three actors with a body to die for?
"Marc Nelson. Diether Ocampo. Carlos Agassi. But honestly, hindi ako mahilig sa hunk-hunk; mas gusto ko ‘yung medyo round."
Using body language, how would you tell a man that you admire him?
"I don’t. I simply giggle and giggle. Halata pag gusto ko. I can’t look at him in the eye. I just giggle and giggle and giggle. Talagang super-giggle!"
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph)