A loving mom to her four kids, Claudine Barretto celebrated her son Santino’s birthday last July 19 with a video montage of his growing up years.
She wrote, “Dear Saint, Happy 18th birthday! Time flew so fast! Your Ate Sab and I are a bit emotional now that you really are a man and an adult. I am so blessed to know that you have grown into a true gentleman. The way you treat people most especially women is something I take pride in.”
Aside from sharing how proud she is of Santino’s good character, Claudine also wrote about just how much she loves her eldest son.
“July 19, 2007 at 7:44am, God gave me the man that I will forever love and never give up on. Thank you for being my son, above all thank you for being you! There’s nothing in this world that I wont do for you. I love you so much Santino! Please continue to hold my hand and kiss mommy!” she added.
In an interview with ABS-CBN last year, Claudine shared what she looked forward to the most as her eldest children Sabina and Santino grow older.
“Before, pag sinabi nila na time flies parang ako, ‘Ha? Totoo ba yun?’ Parang totoo talaga (laughs). I look at them and think, Wow I must have done something good in my life to deserve these children talaga, especially Sab kasi first, she’s a scholar. Secondly, she’s really responsible. She’s still a baby pa rin. Although may boyfriend na siya, pinayagan ko na nung nag-18 siya. I’m just so happy kasi she has a very grateful heart. It’s not easy to be a single mom and dad at the same time. But you know, when there’s so much love, you’ll do anything for your children. And that’s what I did.”
READ: Claudine Barretto, Raymart Santiago celebrate kids’ academic achievements
Saint, as he is fondly called by his family, is Claudine’s youngest child with ex-husband Raymart Santiago. The couple wed in 2006 and separated in 2013. The former couple, currently pursuing the annulment of their marriage, have focused on co-parenting their two children, Rodrigo Santino and their adopted daughter Sabina. Since their separation, Claudine has also adopted two more children named Quia and Noah Joaquin.
READ: LOOK: Raymart Santiago, Claudine Barretto, and kids celebrate Sabina’s 20th birthday
Claudine, who netizens have given the nickname the ‘Optimum Star,’ also recently celebrated her 46th birthday this month with a simple birthday celebration. She enjoyed a karaoke party with her friends on stage, as seen in her latest Instagram post last July 20.