“‘You want war, I’ll give you war. I’ll be there in my red stilettos.’’
Showbiz authority Mario Bautista quoted these words coming from one of the protagonists -  actress Gretchen Barretto.
The veteran actress was reacting to statement made by the other protagonist – the younger actress Angelica Panganiban.
The word war between the two talents of the leading network ABS-CBN started when Gretchen was quoted as saying during a promotion of her television series with Derek Ramsay “Magkaribal,” that she wants “solo picture” of  Derek, who is the boyfriend of Angelica, during the couple’s month-long vacation in South Africa.
Commenting on Derek’s South African vacation with Angelica, Gretchen said: “Masa-sad ako siyempre kasi wala ng kwento. Hihintayin ko ‘yong mga kwento niya (Ramsay). Pictures na lang, hihintayin ko mga pictures niya. Solo pictures lang ha. (looking at Ramsay) Gusto ko ikaw lang, walang iba.”
Gretchen, who admitted in previous interviews that she has a “crush” on Derek, openly hugged the actor on camera, incensing Angelica,  who took to Twitter to write messages seemingly alluding to Barretto.
But showbiz fans and observers believe the word war may just be a show to promote a new soap of Derek with Gretchen and another comely actress, Bea Alonzo, entitled “Magkaribal.” Whether it’s true or not, the word war is heating up.
The columnist quoted Angelica stating in her Twitter account: “Nakakaawa ka. Mukhang di ka masaya. Taraaayyy! Single ka Teh?”
Obviously referring to Gretchen, Angelica added later that she should not be dragged into the promo of “Magkaribal.”
“Kasi kung gusto niyang mag-promote… mag-promote siyang mag-isa. Walang kaming solo picture ni Derek, puro double. Kasi may boyfriend ako… at girlfriend ako ni Derek,” stressed Angelica, who is also known as a “copy” of actress-television host Kris Aquino.
Answering Angelica’s claims, Gretchen told Mario Bautista: “Nagtatrabaho lang ako, nag-e-enjoy lang ako. Joke lang namin yun ni Derek.”
Gretchen added: “Oh my God, how painful. I’m so depressed. Very ouchy talaga. Lovey Derek, defend me. Inaaway ako. Ako si Victoria (her role in “Magkaribal”). Suot ko ang pag-ibig na hindi susuko at lalaban magpakailanman. You want war, I’ll give you war. I’ll be there in my red stilettos.”
The columnist stated that Angelica is only being true to her bitchy character in “Rubi” who won’t just take things sitting down.
Angelica left last week with real-life boyfriend Derek Ramsay for a month-long  vacation in South Africa.
Before leaving for the vacation, the young actress  was irked by Gretchen’s remark in a television interview that she wanted to see Derek’s solo pictures after his trip to South Africa.
“Solo pictures lang, ha!” Gretchen said who’s open about having a crush on Derek. “Gusto ko ikaw lang, wala ng iba.”
Is the word war over?
Mario Bautista’s answer: “Obviously, we have not seen the end of this.” So watch out for more developments.