IF Dennis Padilla were to take a credibility test on the subject love and relationships, he sure would be scratching his head with a failing mark. That is, as far as his Filipino-Ausssie ex-wife is concerned.
At a recent mediacon of the film he was promoting–the Viva contract star revealed that he and Linda Gorton (his former partner 23 years his junior) have been separated for more than three years now.
Their 12-year marriage–which ended in 2020–bore two kids: Gavin, 11 and Maddie, 6.
Although Dennis didn’t exactly specify what caused the breakup, he and Linda manage to keep a good co-parenting set-up. Without fail since Linda and the children had settled in Sydney, Dennis makes it a point to send support (in Australian dollars) on time.
This was Dennis’ claim he wanted the public to believe.
It took a while for Linda to refute the comedian’s statement.
Speaking in a mix of Filipino and English, Linda sort of exhorted Dennis to lay down the facts surrounding the child support as they are: “Let me be clear on this, it’s either delayed or ‘kulang’ (insufficient).”
Dennis, Linda also points out, seems to be making things hard for her, making her look like she’s begging for it: “It has reached the point na kailangan ko pa siyang kulitin para magpadala.”
As a consequence, Linda had no other recourse but to enrol the kids in public schools, “Kasi libre nga. Since they’re getting free education, I expect Dennis to send a little more but it’s not the case.”
Linda hopes that Dennis realizes the fact that the cost of living in Australia is way more expensive than back in the Philippines.
Based on Dennis’ last interview, it was in 2009 when he succeeded in convincing Linda to settle there.
Dennis was able to sell to Linda the idea that his showbiz career was doing incredibly well back then. Or so she thought.
If my memory serves me right, it was in 2020–around which time their relationship crumbled–when Dennis was hospitalized due to Covid-19. He sought the help of his friends to be able to defray the medical bills close to P2 million.
Having risen above it, Dennis thought it was a miracle.
Things have since begun reverting back to what pre-pandemic life was like.
Dennis is lucky enough to star in a movie one after the other. Ergo, there’s zero reason for delayed or “short” child support in whatever legal tender.
It was also at that mediacon where Dennis hinted at “another chance at love.” Currently in a fresh relationship, the comedian, however, is less of a proud, glib talker about love matters.
But is it safe to assume that this is where his money is funneled through, reason why he has been delinquent in sending Gavin and Maddie what’s rightfully due them?
Oh, isn’t this exactly the same woeful tale told and retold by his kids Julia, Claudia and Leon with ex-partner Marjorie Barretto?
How then does Dennis expect the public to believe him and be on his side when it’s all cock-and-bull story he’s ramming down our throat?
Enough of comic stunts please.
