Gene Padilla, brother of comedian Dennis Padilla, took to social media to express his disappointment over how their family was treated during the wedding of Dennis’ daughter, Claudia Barretto. The veteran comedian revealed that Dennis, along with their mother Catalina Dominguez, was not included in the wedding program and was made to feel like just another “guest” instead of the father of the bride.
Claudia tied the knot with longtime boyfriend Basti Lorenzo at a church in Alabang, followed by a reception in Santa Rosa, Laguna. Basti comes from a prominent family, being the son of industrialist Martin Ignacio Paez Lorenzo and the brother of Mateo Lorenzo, husband of actress Erich Gonzales.
However, what should have been a joyous celebration turned sour for Dennis, who posted online that he felt deeply disrespected during the event. Gene supported his brother’s sentiments, saying he witnessed how Dennis wasn’t allowed to walk his daughter down the aisle, wasn’t acknowledged during the program, and wasn’t even assigned proper seating.
“Ngayon lang po ako magsasalita,” Gene wrote. He described how they traveled early from Bulacan to Alabang, full of excitement, only to be met with disappointment. “Ngayon lang ako naka-witness ng kasal na di part ng program ang ama ng bride.”
Gene added that even their mother was left to find her seat at the church, and that Dennis was merely asked to sit near the godparents. Feeling left out, they chose to sit at the back.
“Napaluha at napaiyak si Kuya sa mga nangyari,” Gene shared, recounting how Dennis decided to quietly leave after the ceremony, taking only a quick photo with the newlyweds. “Naawa din ako sa nanay ko… Naramdaman ko yung sakit.”
He didn’t hold back in criticizing Claudia, saying her father had long been trying to win them back. “Yan ba itinanim ng mga nakapaligid sa inyo?” he asked. “Sanay kami sa hirap… pero pinagkaiba natin yung puso namin at dignidad di niyo kaya pantayan.”
In a scathing close, Gene pointedly said, “Dennis Dominguez Padilla… di pala father of the BRIDE! Guest of the BRIDE!” — highlighting the pain of exclusion from a once-in-a-lifetime moment.