Isang open letter ang ibinahagi ni Leon Barretto sa kanyang Instagram account para sa estranged father niyang si Dennis Padilla.
Si Leon, 19, ang bunso sa tatlong anak ni Dennis sa dati nitong asawa na si Marjorie Barretto. Ang dalawa pa ay sina Julia, 25, at Claudia Barretto, 22.
Ngayong Linggo ng hapon, June 26, 2022, idinaan ni Leon sa social media ang kanyang saloobin dahil ito raw ang "preferred way" ng ama upang mag-reach out sa kanila.
Ito rin ang sagot ni Leon sa sentimyento ni Dennis na hindi siya binati ni Leon at ng mga kapatid na sina Julia at Claudia nitong nakaraang Father's Day.
Himutok ni Dennis sa Instagram, kalakip ang lumang larawan nila ni Leon: “Leon… You forgot to greet me last sunday … hehe… Love you ingat… [praying hands, heart emojis]”
Read: Dennis Padilla laments not getting Father’s Day greeting from children Julia, Claudia, Leon
LEON'S OPEN LETTER
Sa kanyang sulat para kay Dennis, humingi ng paumanhin si Leon sa ama na hindi niya ito binati ng "Happy Father's Day."
Hindi raw kasi nila alam ang katayuan nilang magkakapatid sa kanilang sariling ama taun-taon.
Paliwanag ni Leon, "It's always been an awkward day for us cause we never seem to know where we stand with you every year. I've always envied people who never even have to think twice about greeting their dads a 'Happy father's Day'.'"
Kasunod nito ay naglabas si Leon ng kanyang hinaing sa ama na patuloy raw sinusunog ang pilit nilang binubuong tulay tuwing nagsasalita si Dennis sa press at social media ng mga pribadong bagay tungkol sa kanilang magkakapatid.
Himutok niya, "For the past 10 years, we have been trying so hard to slowly rebuild the bridge you continuously burn every time you talk about our private matters in your press cons, interviews, and social media.
"Papa, why does it seem like you enjoy hurting your kids in public?
"Why do you keep posting cryptic posts about us and allow people to bash us on your own Instagram page?
"Do you think it does not pain all of us not to feel protected by their own father?
"It's not that we don't want to talk to you, but the few times that we do to resolve the issues, you communicate by shouting, cursing, and using hurtful words that traumatize us."
Tanong pa ni Leon sa ama: "Is public sympathy really more important to you than your own children?
"Your words have the power to destroy your children, papa."
Kinastigo rin ni Leon si Dennis sa paninira umano nito sa kanyang mga kapatid na babae na hindi raw kailanman nagsalita laban sa kanya.
Aniya, "For years I watched my sisters get torn into pieces because of your false narratives and not once did they explain their side nor speak negatively about you in public.
"It's exhausting, papa. As the only man in the family, this is me stepping up to protect my sisters.
"I need you to know that I want nothing else but to move forward in the safest and healthiest manner possible. I want peace, papa."
Ilang beses napaulat ang sigalot ni Dennis sa kanyang mga anak kay Marjorie, partikular na kay Julia Barretto.
Kabilang dito ang petisyon na isinumite ni Julia sa korte noong 2014 para palitan ang kanyang apelyidong Baldivia at gawin itong Barretto.
Pakiusap ni Leon kay Dennis: "Can you please stop resorting to public shaming when things don't go your way?"
Panghuli niyang mensahe, "I long for the day when I can greet you a 'Happy Father's Day' and know that it comes from a place of gratitude and healing."
Sina Julia, Claudia, at Leon ay nasa poder ni Marjorie mula nang magkahiwalay sila ni Dennis.
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