CinemaBravo

Optimum Star Claudine Barretto has taken a firm stand in support of Revival King Jojo Mendrez, who is currently facing serious personal and legal challenges.

In a video posted on her social media account, Barretto made a strong statement: “Jojo, kung sino ang kalaban mo, kalaban ko rin.”

(Jojo, whoever your enemy is, is also my enemy.)

She opened her message with “Hi kapatid, hi Jo, I’ve been trying to call you and message you. Narinig ko—galing akong Lanao, sa Cagayan, walang signal do’n and I’ve been trying to reach you dahil nalaman ko kung ano’ng nangyayari sa ‘yo. And I’m just worried about you, kapatid.”

(Hi brother, hi Jo, I’ve been trying to call and message you. I just came from Lanao, in Cagayan, where there’s no signal, and I’ve been trying to reach you because I found out what’s happening to you. And I’m just worried about you, brother.)

Barretto made it clear that he is not alone in this:

“Gusto ko lang malaman mo na nakausap ko na, siyempre, yung mga kaibigan natin at alam ko na kung ano’ng nangyari, and that, wag kang matakot, nandito lang ako, ang daming nagmamahal sa ‘yo.”

(I just want you to know that I’ve already talked to, of course, our friends and I know what happened. Don’t be afraid, I’m here, and so many people love you.)

“Hindi ko sasabihin sa ‘yo, I told you so, dahil alam kong mabuti ‘yung puso mo, pero next time mag-iingat ka, sa mga tao na… pwedeng mag-abuse sa ‘yo. At gusto ko lang malaman mo na kung nasasaktan ka ngayon, nasasaktan din ako,” she continued.

(I’m not going to tell you “I told you so,” because I know you have a good heart, but next time be careful with people who… might take advantage of you. I just want you to know that if you’re hurting now, I’m hurting too.)

“At alam kong nasa tama ka. At as long na nasa tama ka, kung sino ang kalaban mo ay kalaban ko rin. And andito yung support ko sa’ yo, 100%.”

(And I know you’re in the right. And as long as you’re in the right, whoever your enemy is, is also my enemy. I’m here for you 100%.)

She ended the video with a heartfelt reminder of her love and presence.

“And tama yan, wag kang papayag na inaapi ka, o ginagamit ka, o inaabuso ka. Mahal kita, kaya andito ako bilang kaibigan, bilang kapatid, at gaya ng sinabi ko, wag kang matakot nandito kami, walang pwedeng manakit sa ‘yo, tandaan mo ‘yan. Mahal na mahal kita. Love you. Call me.)

(And you’re right—don’t let anyone oppress you, use you, or abuse you. I love you, that’s why I’m here as a friend, as a sister, and like I said, don’t be afraid—we are here, no one can hurt you, remember that. I love you very much. Love you. Call me.)

This emotional message came shortly after Jojo Mendrez filed a complaint at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office on April 4. The complaint is against StarStruck Season 1 Ultimate Male Survivor Mark Herras, whom Mendrez accused of threatening to burn down his house.