Actress Claudine Barretto, a beacon of resilience, found her strength in her children and faith as a single mother.

During the media conference for the upcoming movie "When Magic Hurts" under Rems Films in Quezon City on March 20, Claudine shared how motherhood had profoundly transformed her.

"Gusto kong sabihin sa buong mundo na maraming sinasabi tungkol sa akin na hindi maganda at maganda. Yung iba totoo at yung iba hindi. Pero isa lang ang masasabi ko at alam ng Diyos yun na mabuti akong ina. Hindi ko sinasabing sobra akong mabuting ina pero sinasabi ko lagi sa mga anak ko to help me," said Claudine.

(I want to tell the whole world that many things about me that are not good are said about me. Some are true, and some are not. But I can only say one thing: God knows I am a good mother. I am not saying I am a perfect mother, but I always tell my children to help me.)

Claudine, 44, was previously married to actor Raymart Santiago. They have a son named Santino, 16. She adopted three children: Sabina, Quiah, and Noah. Her daughter Quia also debuts in the romantic-comedy-drama film.

The actress expressed amazement at how quickly her children are growing up.
"Ang bilis nilang lumaki at ang bilis pala talaga ng oras na may college na ako, may 16-year-old na rin ako tapos may seven (year-old) ako, at five (year-old) din ako na mga anak. Kung meron man akong pinakamalaking award ngayon, ito ay yung mga anak ko."

(They grow up so fast. The time is really fast now that I have a child in college; I have a 16-year-old, and then I have seven-year-old and five-year-old children. If I have the biggest award right now, it's my children.)

"Lagi kong sinasabi, blood is not thicker than water. Kung ang asawa mo o boyfriend mo ay kaya mong mahalin unconditionally, bakit hindi mo kayang magmahal ng mga bata, ng mga anghel? So yun ang lagi kong sinasabi sa mga anak ko.

(I always say that blood is not thicker than water. If you can love your husband or boyfriend unconditionally, why can't you love children and angels? So that's what I always tell my children.)

Claudine describes her relationship with her children as perfect, saying they don't give her headaches.

"Now I have a perfect relationship with my children. Never kong naramdaman ng ibang mommy yung nararamdaman nila pagdating sa ibang mga teenage kids nila. Hindi nila ako binibigyan ng sakit ng ulo.

(Now, I have a perfect relationship with my children. I have never felt what other mommies feel about their other teenage kids. They don't give me a headache.)

"I always tell them to tell me if they don't like me talking to them this way, kung napapataas ang boses ko, you have to say to me. Iba't ibang personality and language ng mga bata. So you must meet their language and ask them if I am doing right," she added.

(I always tell them to tell me if they don't like me talking to them this way, if my voice is raised, you have to say to me. Children have different personalities and languages. So you must understand their language and ask them if they are doing it right.)

If they're not busy, Claudine said she always takes her children to the set.

"Kahit saan pa, basta may tent, kasama ko sila. Ang bilis kasing lumaki ng mga bata," she said.

Claudine vowed to raise her children properly even if the time came that she needed to borrow money. 

"Alam ng marami kung ano ang nangyari sa akin. I'm struggling with my finances. Not because maluho ako or winaldas ko ang pera ko. May mga anak ako.

(Many people know what happened to me. I'm struggling with my finances. Not because I'm extravagant or I squandered my money. I have children.)

"Dumating sa point na sabi ko nga kapag kailangan talagang umutang ako para sa mga anak ko, gagawin ko.

(It got to the point where I said that if I really need to borrow money for my children, I will.)

"Pero salamat sa Diyos, hindi pa umabot sa ganun. Pumapasok sila sa best schools and they are doing very well. We are still living a comfortable life," she added.

(But thank God, it hasn't come to that. They go to the best schools and they are doing very well. We are still living a comfortable life.)

Claudine praises Beaver

Beaver Magtalas, lead star of the movie "When Magic Hearts," stated that he had minimal interaction with Claudine during the movie, but they had a good rapport off-camera.

The rising star admitted that he felt intimated the first time he met the actress.
"But when I got to talk to her, she's a very nice person. I felt like isa siya sa tumulong sa akin para matapos ang mga scenes sa movie," Beaver said.

Claudine believes Beaver has what it takes to be a star. She even considers him the younger version of award-winning actor John Lloyd Cruz.

"I know one when I see one. Gwapo siya, he has the x-factor. Maraming artista pero hindi lahat may X-factor na tinatawag. He needs to develop his confidence. And then when I saw him, I told myself, may kamukha siyang artista. Until I realized it was John Lloyd Cruz," she said.

Reacting to Claudine's complement, Beaver said: "In terms of my growth, I think I really need to work on my confidence. I was really a shy boy lalo na kapag nagsasalita ako sa harap. I was really a shy boy before. Na-okray din naman ako noon. But I am proud of myself."

"When Magic Hurts" is directed by Gabby Ramos. Also starring in the movie are Mutya Orquia, Maxine Trinidad, Dennis Padilla, Angelica Jones, Soliman Cruz, and more. Gabby wrote the screenplay with Jerome Baguio.