"Of course, with all my heart!" Gretchen Barretto replied when PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and other invited media asked if she has accepted Angelica Panganiban's apology. 

In her interview with Boy Abunda on The Buzz yesterday, August 8, Angelica became emotional when she said, "Siguro gusto kong humingi ng pasensiya sa mga nabitawan kong salita, hindi ko siya kilala, hindi niya ako kilala." The young actress was referring to Gretchen.

It can be recalled that the two Kapamilya actresses had an exchange of intriguing statements over Derek Ramsay, Angelica's boyfriend. Gretchen made naughty statements about her Magkaribal leading man, to which Angelica answered by posting a controversial message on her Twitter account. (CLICK HERE to read related article.) 

Gretchen said she wasn't able to watch Angelica's interview since she is still experiencing jetlag after she arrived from Paris last Saturday, August 7. However, she checked it on the Internet before she faced the media during a visit on the Magkaribal set earlier today, August 9, in Makati City.

"Hindi ko napanood dahil tulog ako," she said. "Nagising ako mga 6:00 na ng gabi. Then, maraming tumawag, maraming text messages. And today, bago ako humarap sa inyo, ni-YouTube namin sa dressing room. But last night, iba talaga 'yong feeling, hindi ko pa napapanood, parang gulung-gulo ako so I wanna watch it."

What was her reaction after watching Angelica's interview?

"Ang unang dating sa akin, relieved ako talaga," Gretchen replied. "I'm very, very happy and I consider this a blessing. I am really thankful to God. For me kasi, parang puro blessings ngayon. It's not only that I have this project Magkaribal, but I have Derek as a good friend. And not only Derek, but now I have Angelica."

The actress also mentioned how she admires the former child star for her public gesture. 

She said, "You know, I respect Angelica more now simply because iba 'yong matapang ka lang in fighting for your right. Iba when you can own up to your reactions or to whatever you think na, 'Ooops, nagkamali pala ako.' So now, I see the real beauty of Angelica—not only physically but nakikita ko 'yong strength of her character. And I respect her with all my heart. And I love her already."

STARTING A NEW FRIENDSHIP. In Angelica's interview, she said, "Kung nasaktan niya ako, nasaktan ko rin siya, kaya sorry. And sana maka-build up ako ng friendship sa kanya. Yun lang sana, hindi pa huli ang lahat."

Gretchen responded to this by saying, "It's never too late. It's certainly not too late."

She said that she too wants friendship with Angelica. "I am also just so willing to be her friend. I said nga in my past interview with Boy Abunda, 'You know, it's really not time for war  It's really time for peace, especially now na parang ang dami-daming blessings. Who wants war really?'"

Although Gretchen already sent a message to Angelica through Derek, she still wants to meet the 23-year-old actress. "Siyempre, mas gusto ko na magkita kami in person and to really talk about things," she said.

The actress-model also did not think twice when asked if she would be willing to work with Angelica in the future.

"Why not? I'm open to anything," replied Gretchen. "I'm open to being not just a friend, but a very good friend to her and to Derek. So, I don't know. I mean, that's fun, masarap isipin 'yon."

THANKING COMMON FRIENDS. Gretchen also acknowledged the help of her and Angelica's mutual friends in solving the issue between them.