"YES!" puts Gretchen Barretto on the spotlight in its May issue

For several months now, Gretchen Barretto has been a favorite subject of some entertainment columns because of her rumored involvement with some prominent men.

Despite the constant nagging of local showbiz reporters in their interviews with her, La Greta (Gretchen's showbiz nickname) remained quiet. Sometimes, she would just ignore the issue and even veer away from the topic.

The glamorous "controversy magnet" even took a positive attitude towards hard questions thrown at her. She was once quoted as saying, "Basta masaya ako kapag naiintriga ako. Pag hindi na ako naiintriga, wala na akong career."

YES! magazine tries to make sense of the rumors in its 14-page feature, "On the Spot: Gretchen Barretto." This is actually the first time that all the issues about the men allegedly linked to Gretchen in the past months are discussed thoroughly. Here's a glimpse of the feature article:

"KISSCANDAL" WITH JOHN ESTRADA. La Greta's dormant career in showbiz started to bloom again, after 14 years of dedicating herself to her partner businessman Tonyboy Cojuangco and their 13-year-old daughter Dominique, when digital camera photos of her and actor John Estrada started to circulate in cyberspace in June 2007.

The photos showed Gretchen and John kissing lips to lips. Both parties admitted to that incident; John appeared live in the showbiz talk show, The Buzz, and Gretchen issued a formal statement through her talent manager Boy Abunda. The two got away with it. John and Gretchen went on with their own lives.

DODY PUNO. Less than half a year later, Gretchen again stole the showbiz scene as another "kisscandal" started to spread among gossipmongers. Tabloid reports said that Gretchen was spotted several times having nights outs and even kissing a middle-aged man in different clubs in Makati, Taguig, and Pasig.

This time, the guy was identified as Rodolfo "Dody" Puno, businessman and currently Executive Director of the Road Board of Department of Public Works and Highways. Witnesses in politics and showbiz have been hush-hush about Gretchen's appearance at the gatherings of the Puno clan, most recently the birthday celebration of Antipolo Representative Robbie Puno and wife Chiqui Roa-Puno in Antipolo City.

Now, what's with Dody Puno? How come the rumors linking him to Gretchen persist?

Sources close to Dody's camp said that the gentleman even offered to marry Gretchen. Although some say that Dody is known for this kind of move, another source said that he insisted, this time it's different. He reportedly told his friend that "Gretchen is the kind of woman you want to settle down with."

Other "whispers" still go around in showbiz, and even political, circles. But as in her past controversies, Gretchen denied her alleged romantic relationship with Dody and simply explained that he was a family friend.

RICKY YABUT. Gretchen not only chose to stay quiet; she moved away from showbiz because of all the issues thrown at her. Yet controversy continued to hound her.

Earlier this year, Gretchen again made showbiz headlines when she was allegedly spotted kissing Ricky Yabut at an upscale restaurant in Greenbelt 2, Makati City. Ricky Yabut is Tony Cojuangco's brother-in-law, the brother of Denise Yabut, with whom Tony is still legally married despite 15 years of separation.

According to a PEP source, who was at the same restaurant, Ricky's date, singer Rachel Anne Wolfe, excused herself from the table she shared with Ricky to go to the restroom. As soon as Ricky's date left, in plain sight of other patrons, Gretchen sidled up to Ricky and started carressing him.

The source narrated to YES! that, "A drunk-looking Gretchen kissed Ricky, whose response was far from aggressive." It was also confirmed later that Ricky's former wife, Cita Revilla-Yabut, already knew about it.

At a later, different event, Cita was seen talking to Gretchen's partner Tony during the birthday celebration of Senator Jinggoy Estrada. Cita appeared to be complaining to Tony about Gretchen's behavior towards Ricky at the Greenbelt restaurant. Later that evening, according to witnesses, Tony was seen apologizing to Cita.

Despite the publication of articles and the constant "talk" about this, not a word was heard from the actress.

ALL FOR LOVE. Amidst all these scandals that came out within less than a year, Gretchen's live-in partner Tonyboy Cojuangco remained silent, refusing to give any comment in the media.

The 56-year-old businessman was said to be very understanding towards Gretchen because he is so in love with her.

Jobert Sucaldito in his showbiz column explained Tony's willingness to turn a blind eye on Gretchen's controversies: "Matagal na kasing may sakit si Tonyboy at hindi na raw natutugunan ang mga pangangailangan ni Gretchen. Pero mahal na mahal daw talaga ni Tonyboy si Greta kaya kahit nagloloka-lokahan daw ang sex goddess natin ay palagi daw siyang napapatawad ni Tonyboy. Nilulunok na raw ni Tonyboy ang pride niya—pati pamilya niya ay di niya pinakikinggan because of his so much love dati kay Greta."

A source even added that, "Tony worries that Gretchen, who tends to do things with fervor, may fall in love and totally drift away from him."

UPDATE ON LA GRETA. Gretchen publicly announced that she will stay away from showbiz to avoid controversies and will just focus on her new career as a singer. In fact, she released her debut album, Unexpected, in late February this year.

The plan may work nicely for Gretchen. Rumors about her and her alleged relationship with Dody Puno have gone on silent mode. However, while the issues may have cooled down publicly, the "whispers" still revolve constantly among showbiz insiders.

In the end, the next question is: How are things now with Gretchen and Tony?