Claudine’s cry for help
A comment on the Facebook wall of a respected entertainment scribe said it quite clearly: “Claudine Barretto NEEDS HELP.”
This sums up what most feel about what Claudine is going through, amid her troubles with estranged husband Raymart Santiago and her family.
Claudine’s tweet the past week elicited concern from those who knew her. It was a cry for help.
Anger towards Raymart
On April 9, she tweeted: “PLS HELP MY CHILDREN & i.we are not safe.another Employee hired to POISON MY KIDS & i.Stop TRYING TO SET ME UP.U are SO SICK”
She continued with a succeeding tweet:
“and for u Mr. SANTIAGO.Go Keep protecting my FAMILY.SANA GANUN DIN KAYO SA MGA KAPATID MO SA LABAS.Si bernadette CALOVE.”
These messages seem to express her continued anger towards Raymart and the part of her family that supported his contentions against Claudine.
Valid or delusional?
Some of her worried friends view her messages as a valid threat on Claudine, as they plead with authorities to look into the matter. If such a threat is ongoing, she and her children should get the proper protection needed from the appropriate government agencies.
However, others see them as mere delusional—a result of her deep hatred towards those who she thinks are behind her troubles. One can, however, understand what she's going through. The world around her seems to get more unbearable by the day as the career that had glittered for so many years is swiftly losing its luster. Besides that, Claudine has marital and family woes.
Whatever's the true score behind her tweets, one thing is real: Claudine really needs help. Whether it's police assistance, or medical help--or just plain moral support from those close to her, now is the time to really give it.
Her situation in certainly dire, however we look at it. As we read the news, most of those known to be close to her have vowed never to cross paths with her, let alone discuss and work out all the things she has been through. But, with all that is happening, Claudine needs comfort and sustenance from those who do care for her. She needs someone to guide her to the light.
People who express genuine concern for Claudine should not patronize what she has done, is doing, or continues to do. They should know what's best for her, try their best in giving this, and eventually win back that charm that has captivated millions of followers in her reign as a TV drama princess.
Healing from herself
They should let her know that she should start the healing from herself—identify the problem and work on it. She should know and accept the realities around her, and move on to improve herself and become better at what she does.
Of course, through the years, Claudine has been a part of every rabid Filipino TV viewer's hearts, from that bubbly teener who once brightened up our late afternoons, to that incredible dramatic actress who brought hope amid despair in those piercing melodramas through the night.
We want her back, hopefully before it's too late.
