Claudine Barretto opened her heart to Karen Davila in an episode of the broadcaster's vlog on YouTube.
In that episode titled "CLAUDINE BARRETTO On Overcoming Her Darkest Moments," the 44-year-old celebrity mom talked about her profound love for her family, her three adopted children included.
Karen began, "Wala ka pang asawa noon, you already adopted Sabina. Hindi biro ang mag-adopt ng bata. Ba't mo naisip sa puso mo, i-adopt si Sabina?"
The actress gave a thoughtful answer, "Ako, I always say kasi parang it's meant to be.
"We're meant to be. Di ba parang God has a blueprint sa life mo? And kasama dun sa blueprint, si Sabina."
When asked if it was an intantaneous decision, Claudine asserted, "Right away."
She elaborated, "It's funny, lukso ng dugo. That's why I don't believe that blood is thicker than water.
"When I held her in my arms, I felt this, I can't explain it, parang this is mine, this is mine, this is for me.
"I'm gonna keep you safe. And I swore, the moment I held her, I swore that I would do everything in my power to make her happy, to give her a good life."
Karen commended, "Ang nakakabilib sa iyo, hindi lang isa ang in-adopt mo, tatlo!"
She proceeded to ask what led Claudine to take in Quia and Noah despite having Santino Barretto Santiago, her biological son with estranged husband Raymart Santiago, who was born three years after she adopted Sabrina.
Claudine said Sabina and Santino wanted a sibling, "That was one of their prayers talaga. And, of course, hindi puwede kasi wala na kami ni Raymart noon.
"So when they wanted a sibling, parang I told them na parang, 'Oh, sige, let's pray. If in two weeks, we don't get a call or whatever, that means it's not for us."
Claudine explained she would bring along the children during her visits to orphanages at the time when she was doing social work for the Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD).
"Parang after wala pang magtu-two weeks, we got a call, and then so, I was like okay talaga, this is really for us. Kasi this is no joke, di ba?
"Parang we get a call. And then, you know, ayun na. So that's how it happened kay Quia."
Claudine also related how, without even seeing the baby, she said yes immediately to Quia.
Noah's adoption was another interesting story.
Claudine related, "Noah talaga was talagang planned. The kids wanted another sibling, a boy. And I was like, hindi ako marunong magpalaki ng mga boys.
"Kasi mga pamangkin na pinalaki ko, like si Julia, Claudia, Dani, ganyan. Lahat girls."
The three girls are the daughters of Claudine's older sister Marjorie Barretto with ex-husband Dennis Padilla. They also have a son named Leon.
She continued, "When it was Leon's time, I left Marjorie's house na kasi we used to live together, di ba? So I didn't know anything.
"Even with Santino, I didn't know how to really dress him up. Kung ano yung mga gusto ng guys.
"And, you know, true enough, Noah was, parang we waited three months. And then the mom gave birth and then gave him up."
The mother of four stated, "Noah's like my angel. He's like with me 24-7. He's sobrang lambing.
"We sleep together na holding hands. Talagang mama's boy talaga siya."
Read: Claudine Barretto hugs Dennis Padilla in tearful reunion: "I miss you Kuya"
FROM ADOPTED TO CHOSEN
In Karen's vlog, Claudine affirmed her love for her non-biological children for reason she just had "so much love to give."
She expounded, "And parang even if I give it to Sabina and Santino lang, my cup was overflowing pa rin yung love.
"And I wanted to share it. How can you say no to an angel?
"And then people would say na because 'Iba iyan dahil hindi mo kadugo, ganyan,' 'Baka nga mamaya iba yung ugali.'
"I believe na parang when you adopt, you adapt, [and] they adapt.
"Nakukuha na rin yung mannerisms mo. Nagiging kamukha mo na. Nagiging ganyan.
"And it's how you bring them up, e. The foundation."
The versatile actress went on to express her wish to bring about a change in the attitude of some people about adopted children
Claudine expressed, "Children with autism are called special. Special because they are special.
"Why is it na when you adopt, it's like, some people do that— 'Ito na ba yung ampon mo?' It's true, but it's painful. It's not nice to hear.
"So parang I was trying to say, yung nilalaban ko DSWD for the longest time, is to change yung 'adopted' to 'chosen,' because you choose them."
Claudine went on, "That's why they shouldn't feel bad na baka, you know, na baka parang napilitan lang yung ako i-adopt, ganyan.
"No. They are chosen. You pick them. You don't get to pick your own child. If it's a boy or girl kung ano yung itsura.
"But this one, you get to decide."
Claudine passionately reiterated the importance of recognizing these children as not merely adopted by necessity, but rather chosen with intention, devotion, and care.
She said with finality, "And also, I believe kasi na parang there's no difference e. Really no difference kay Santino.
"Yung love ko kay Santino, kay Sabina, Noah and Quia. They're all the same.
"If you can love your husband who's not your blood, not your own blood, how can you not also love these children unconditionally?"
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