Atong Ang: Nicole Barretto was not my girlfriend: "Parang anak ko ‘yan"

Atong Ang/photo courtesy of ABS-CBN and Artista Central

The recent Barretto family scuffle that happened right at the wake of their father, Miguel, became the talk of the town and involved a lot of personalities.

One of these personalities is very controversial businessman Mr. Charlie “Atong” Ang, who vehemently denied on Monday (October 21) that he was romantically involved with Nicole.

Nicole Barreto, the 26-year-old niece of actresses Gretchen and Claudine Barretto and daughter of their older brother Jay jay claimed via social media posts about her special past with Mr. Ang.

Atong told over an interview with dzBB radio, he treated Nicole Barretto “like a daughter.”

“Talagang very close ako kay Nicole. Talagang naging parang anak ko na rin talaga ‘yan,” he said.

Ang said he considers Nicole’s family like his own since he is thankful to her mother, Marichi, helped him with the business after he got out of prison.

“Minahal ko na naman ‘yong family na ‘yan magkasama naman kami before,” Atong added.

The known gambling lord was pulled into the Barrettos’ latest controversies surrounded by reports that his presence at the wake of the family patriarch with Gretchen triggered Nicole.

According to witnesses at the wake, Nicole tried to hurt Gretchen which started the fight, and the rest of the people tried to pacify the scuffle including the president himself.

In an Instagram post, Nicole claimed that her tita Gretchen “stole” Ang but the latter revealed that it was her niece, Nicole who allegedly stole the gambling lord from Claudine.

Atong was also asked about Nicole’s feeling about their relationship, Ang said: “Maiintindihan ko rin kasi si Nicole kasi naging close kami.”

There was a previously deleted Instagram post by Claudine dated June 6, 2014, showed Ang and Nicole together. Her caption read: “Mr.Atong Ang & the love of his life Nicole Barretto & I with the Love birds:) @colebarretto”

Source: Politiko