Nadia Montenegro ready to make peace with Gretchen Barretto

“Honestly, sa pagkatao ko talaga, if I see her, I’m sure I’m gonna smile. Sana, sana it can still be the same as before, which I really doubt [that] things are gonna be the same again. But, again, it’s 2009, wala na akong galit kahit kanino,” says Nadia Montenegro about Gretchen Barretto.

Noel Orsal

Last Christmas Eve, former actress Nadia Montenegro consulted her doctor because her left eye had lost vision. The doctor found out that the retina had a tear. Unless treated, her right eye could be affected and she would go blind.

“It’s something to do with my immune system na kung hindi ko agapan, pati right eye ko baka mangyari rin, kasi may implant din ako sa right eye,” explained Nadia to GMA News reporter Lhar Santiago in an interview shown earlier tonight, January 15, in 24 Oras.

Nadia had an operation last January 6 to repair the damaged retina on her left eye. Her vision improved slightly but the medication is not yet over.

“Another laser,” Nadia said. “Kung maaagapan ng laser, hindi na gagawin yung second surgery sa eye ko.”

FRIENDSHIP’S SECOND WIND? Year 2008 was not too good for Nadia. She had rifts with several people; including columnist Cristy Fermin, talent manager Rose Flaminiano, and close friend Gretchen Barretto. Her health also suffered a lot last year—she had a mild stroke in October and her left eye went blind before Christmas day.

Now, Nadia wants to start 2009 right. She is now ready to greet Gretchen, who was her friend since they were kids, should they bump into each other.

“Honestly, sa pagkatao ko talaga, if I see her, I’m sure I’m gonna smile. Sana, sana it can still be the same before, which I really doubt [that] things are gonna be the same again. But, again, it’s 2009, wala na akong galit kahit kanino,” assured Nadia.

Gretchen, too, has already been open to reconciliation with her old friend.

In an interview with PEP last November 13, Gretchen said: “Walang problema sa aking magpakumbaba, hindi problema sa akin ‘yon. Mahal ko si Nadia, mamahalin ko siya kahit anong mangyari.

“Alam mo, kami rin ang magtutulungan niyan kapag may nangyari sa akin. Kapag nalaman niyang naoperahan ako o ooperahan ako o may sakit ako, siya ang unang-unang tatakbo. At kapag alam ko, nalaman ko na may sakit si Nadia or may kailangan siya, ako rin ang unang-unang tatakbo.”