Dennis Padilla's heart is content as he turns 63.
On February 9, 2025, the actor-comedian, whose real name is Dennis Esteban Dominguez Baldivia, shares a heartwarming update with fans about his children from his marriage to Marjorie Barretto.
Read: Get to know Dennis Padilla's seven kids
The first post is a message from his son, Leon Barretto: "Happy birthday Papa, God bless always [praying hands emoji] -Leon"
Dennis responds, "Ty anak... love you... dinner tayo soon [red heart emoji]."
In his caption, he expresses his joy over receiving the text: "So happy for this message... Salamat anak... Love you, Leon [emojis]."
He then shares a screenshot of a message from his daughter, actress Julia Barretto, in a subsequent post.
"Happy birthday Pa, hope you have a good day and year ahead. Good health and more blessings [red heart emoji]," it reads.
Dennis replies, "Ty anak, love you... dinner tayo soon... pag free ka... ingat [emojis]."
He writes in his caption: "Dear Juy... Ty for remembering... Miss you anak... Love you [emojis]."
Fans are delighted to see that Dennis and his children seem to be taking steps toward a reconciliation.
Read: Dennis Padilla reunites with son and daughter in Australia
DENNIS ON REACHING OUT TO HIS KIDS
Speaking in Julius Babao's YouTube channel on November 21, 2024, Dennis says the last time he saw Julia in person was four years ago.
His wish:
"Sana ma-sit down ba na I will listen to them first.
"Maybe I can give them the first two hours, and then, pagkatapos nila, ako naman ang magsasalita for another two hours.
"Pero I can summarize that in 30 minutes maybe."
Read: Dennis Padilla hopes for "healing" with Julia, Claudia, Leon
He also remains hopeful for a deep and meaningful conversation with his children—Julia, Claudia, and Leon Barretto—about their lives.
"Yes, I want a longer conversation with them. Na walang editing. Walang editing.
"Hopeful ako na magkaroon kami ng long talk. Na open and civil, di ba?
"Without, you know, wag nang, wag nang banggitin yung mga heartaches.
"Ang pagkuwentuhan na lang natin is yung buhay ko ngayon, buhay niyo ngayon, yun na lang ang pag-usapan."
Meanwhile, Dennis makes an effort to greet his kids publicly on special occasions, such as their birthdays.
"Yes, yes, para makita nila na hindi ko naman sila nakakalimutan.
"Saka para malaman nila na, although hindi naman nila kailangan mag-reply, para makita rin nila na nagri-reach out pa rin ako kahit na hindi sila nakaka-reply o hindi nila na-acknowledge yung mga greetings ko.
"Kasi as a parent, as a father, I had nothing to lose. I mean, basta ang importante sa akin, malaman ng mga anak ko na nagri-reach out ako.
"That's the most important thing, na nagri-reach out ka."
Read: Dennis Padilla hints at missing his grown children
He confesses feeling disheartened sometimes when he feels he is making an effort without receiving any response.
"Sometimes, there are days napu-fustrate ka. There are days na magagalit ka. May mga days na nagtatampo ka.
"Pero pag dumating yung date ng Christmas, nakakalimutan ko na yun..."
His feelings of disappointment fade when he hears from them or when one of them celebrates a birthday.
"Kunyari, nagtampo ka, sumama loob mo dahil hindi nagri-reach out sa yo.
"E, tapos, birthday. So, birthday nga pala ni ano, gagawa pa rin ako ng sulat tapos ipu-post ko. O kaya gagawa ako video.
"'Happy birthday, anak. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.'
"Kumbaga, kung ano yung pain na naramdaman mo, o yung tampo na naramdaman mo, automatic yun, nae-erase yun, nawawala."
Dennis's feud with his former wife, Marjorie, and their children has been a recurring issue over the years.
He briefly reconciled with Julia in 2021, but their relationship soured again in the same year.
In June 2022, Leon penned an open letter urging his father to "stop resorting to public shaming" of him and his sisters.
Their social media interactions resumed in May 2024.
He and Marjorie remain unfriendly.
READ MORE:
- Dennis Padilla hopes for longer talk with estranged children
- Dennis Padilla gustong ma-witness ang kasal ni Julia Barretto
- Leon Barretto thanks dad Dennis Padilla for birthday message
- Dennis Padilla's ex-partner Linda Gorton denies co-parenting setup
- Marjorie Barretto vows to shield daughter Julia Barretto from Dennis Padilla’s rants