NEWSFLASH

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GRETCHEN HAPPY WITHOUT THE LIMELIGHT

Manila, Nov. 8, 1997 - Gretchen Barretto made a rare public appearance when she guested in Dina Bonnevie's afternoon talk show Ms. D! along with her sisters Claudine and Marjorie.

"A lot of people are still wondering why I'm not rushing back to showbiz now that things have started to settle down in my life, but that's only because they don't know how truly happy I am with my life right now," Gretchen told Dina.

"Whenever I look back on my showbiz years, especially the time when I got pregnant and had to flee to the US to get away from all the paparazzi, I feel how really blessed I am right now. My life now is very simple but I'm happy precisely because of it. I'm with the man I love and our baby and I really could not ask for anything more."

Gretchen admits that she also looks forward to once in a while working in front of the cameras again. But she now knows i's just something she could opt to do whenever she's ready.

"If showbiz were jus doing movies or taping teleplays, there would be no problem. But of course, showbiz also means intrigues, controversies, scandals, gossip; and those are what I choose to do without. My privacy is of paramount importance to me and I'll never compromise it for anything."

Gretchen has agreed to do a series of specials for GMA Channel 7 next year, but it's just that -- a limited engagement. The specials take the place of Vilma's Sunday show.