Manila, Philippines – Just when the dust had begun to settle from Gerald Anderson’s recent controversies, another bombshell has exploded in Philippine showbiz. Lifestyle influencer and eldest Barretto sister, Dani Barretto, has come forward with a shocking revelation: she once had a secret relationship with Gerald Anderson.

In a now-viral interview posted on her YouTube channel, Dani Barretto admitted that she and Gerald had a brief but intense romantic relationship years ago—long before her sister Julia Barretto became publicly involved with the actor.

“Yes, it’s true,” Dani confessed. “It wasn’t something we ever talked about publicly, but Gerald and I had something real back then. It didn’t end badly, we just drifted apart. But now, I feel like I need to be honest—for my sake and for my family’s.”

The confession stunned not only fans but reportedly blindsided Julia, who was completely unaware of her sister’s past involvement with Gerald. According to insiders, Julia discovered the truth the same time the public did—and she didn’t take it well.

“She was speechless. Shattered,” a source close to the Barretto family revealed. “Julia trusted Dani more than anyone. This betrayal cut deeper than anything Gerald had done.”

The Barretto family, known for their long history of public feuds and dramatic reconciliations, now finds itself once again at the center of attention. Sources say heated arguments broke out in their family group chat shortly after the video was released, with some family members siding with Dani, while others rallied behind Julia.

“Everyone’s pointing fingers,” said the insider. “They’re trying to figure out who knew and who kept the secret.”

Gerald Anderson has yet to comment on the revelation, but he has unfollowed both Dani and Julia on Instagram, sparking even more speculation about the true depth of the conflict.

Social media erupted with reactions, with the hashtag #BarrettoDrama immediately trending across platforms. Fans expressed sympathy for Julia, who has faced public heartbreak multiple times in recent months. Others criticized Dani for her “poor timing” and called the revelation unnecessary.

“She should have told Julia from the start,” one netizen posted. “Now it just feels like another knife in her back.”

Meanwhile, Dani defended her decision to come clean, saying it wasn’t about stirring drama but about “owning her truth.”

“I’m not proud of how things were kept hidden, but I also didn’t want to carry the guilt anymore,” she said. “I owe it to my daughter, my husband, and myself to be honest.”

Her husband, Xavi Panlilio, has expressed full support, posting on Instagram: “The past is the past. What matters is how we choose to live in truth today. I stand by my wife.”

Despite the storm, some fans praised Dani for her bravery, saying it takes courage to speak up in the face of potential backlash from family and the public.

Still, the drama has left the Barretto family fractured once again. Rumors suggest that Julia is no longer speaking to Dani, and plans for a long-overdue family reunion have been scrapped indefinitely.

As the story continues to unfold, the public watches closely, wondering if this latest scandal will lead to healing—or further division.

One thing is clear: in the world of Philippine showbiz, the Barretto legacy of love, loyalty, and heartbreak lives on.