In an article of GMA News Online, businessman Atong Ang explained his relationships with Gretchen, Nicole and Claudine.
Atong Ang, Nicole, Claudine and Gretchen Barretto / Photo from PEP
Ang broke his silence on the controversy surrounding him after Nicole accused Gretchen for stealing him from her. Gretchen denied this by saying that it was Nicole who first "stole" Ang from Claudine.
The businessman said Nicole and her mother used to work for him; Gretchen was a business partner; and he once helped Claudine with her personal issues.
"Masasabi mo lang na girlfriend kapag nakapatong ka na diyan."
"Eh bakit ko naman aaminin na ganon, eh wala namang ganon. May nakakita ba? Eh wala naman ganon di ba?" he added.
Atong denies the accusations and said that he is happy with his wife and his family.
Atong Ang / Photo from GMA Network
"Well, ayoko magsalita sa ganyan. Totally dine-deny ko lang talaga 'yan, kasi bakit ka magsasalita ng kung ano-ano? Basta ang sa akin, happy ako sa pamilya ko, sa asawa ko," he said.
Atong said if the alleged affairs were real, he wouldn't bring the Barrettos and his family together.
"Maliwanag naman na isinasama ko sila sa pamilya ko. Ibig sabihin makikita niyo doon na walang kalokohan," he said.
"Kung ipagpapalit mo sa iba, dapat hindi ko sila ipinagsasama-sama nang ganyan 'di ba? Unang una hindi naman kami nagsasama sa mga bahay-bahay wala naman kaming mga bahay. May kanya-kanya kaming buhay," he added.
On his relationship with Nicole
"Ang istorya naman diyan siguro mga eight years ago or mga nine years ago si Marichi na mommy ni Nicole tumutulong sa negosyo ko 'yan, noong nag-i-istart pa lang ako. 'Di ba lumabas ako ng kulungan? Tumutulong sila sa 'kin sa negosyo ko dati," he explained.
Nicole Barretto / Photo from Philippine News
"Tapos nung grumaduate naman si Nicole, tumulong naman sa kin si Nicole, 'yong sa mga booking ko lalo na kapag may mga flight ako. Nakakasama ko na si Nicole noong naka-graduate na," he continued.
According to Atong, Nicole and her mother held close relations with him and his family — dining and bonding together like a real family — for about four years.
"Naging close sa mga anak ko, nagpupunta sa bahay ko, kami-kami nila Marichi, magkakasama kami dun sa restaurant nila Art Atayde before so naging close kami as family rin," he narrated. "So nangyari 'yon, mga four years kaming magkakasama noon."
"Talagang very close ako kay Nicole talaga naging parang anak ko na rin talaga 'yan."
Ang said he looks at Nicole like his own daughter, but they had a misunderstanding, and four years ago was the last time they all saw each other.
"Nagkaro'n ng misunderstanding noon. At tsaka may asawa na siya at tsaka anak ngayon. Dapat hindi na siya nagsasalita nang ganyan," he said.
"Nanahimik na di ba hindi ko alam ano pinanggalingan niyang gulo na yan nagtataka na nga ako."
On his relationship with Claudine
Atong clarified that he only met Claudine through Marichi, when he helped her address issues with Martin Castro.
Claudine Barretto / Photo from Push
"Si Claudine dinala sakin ni Marichi dahil meron silang away ni Martin Castro before. 'Yung wife niya nagkakagulo magdedemandahan. Nagkataon si Martin kasi, anak ng kumpare ko si pareng Ronnie Castro 'yong Mayor," Atong explained.
"Dinala sa 'kin si Claudine ilang araw ko rin inayos 'yon so ibig sabihin 'yong tungkol kay Claudine, nakikita kami ng mga tao. Nag-iinterpret lang sila or nag-conclude sila na may relasyon kami," he said.
He pointed out that he never encountered Claudine again after that.
Atong Ang / Photo from Youtube
"Never. Nakakasama ko lang siya noon nung tinulungan ko sila nila Martin lang. 'Yon lang that was six years ago. Nachismis ako pinagdidikit-dikit nila ngayon," he said.
On his relationship with Gretchen
Meanwhile Atong said he has a close relationship with Gretchen and her longtime boyfriend Tonyboy Cojuangco because they are business partners in his casino and sabong businesses.
"Ngayon nung pumasok ako sa casino, 'yong family ko tsaka sila Tony Boy Cojuangco, sila Gretchen nagkaroon kami ng mga joint ventures. Magkakasosyo kami," he clarified.
Gretchen Barretto / Photo from GMA Network
He said Gretchen invested in his Okada business. He added Gretchen is close to his family and even to his wife.
"Sa Okada sila, sa Okada. May junket ako doon 'yong grupo na 'yan meron akong mga junket diyan. Nag-invest din sila Gretchen sa negosyo namin so pati sa sabong nag-invest din si Gretchen, magkakasama kami," Atong said.
"So naging close si Gretchen sa family ko, Naging close siya sa asawa ko sa lahat."
"Kung nakikita man kami ng mga tao na magkakasama maski sa sabungan o sa casino 'yon ang iniinterpret nila eh, conclusion lang nila 'yon," he said.
"Kini-clear ko lang na kung ano man 'yong iniisip nila eh sarili na lang nilang isip nila 'yon."
"Kini-clear ko lang na kung ano man 'yong iniisip nila eh sarili na lang nilang isip nila 'yon."
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Source: GMA News Online
