Today, let’s talk about how Gretchen Barretto became a billionaire and a powerful figure after the rise of online sabong (cockfighting).

The former actress Gretchen Barretto has undergone a significant transformation. When she started in showbiz, she was considered the breadwinner of her family and had no wealth of her own. Today, she is recognized as one of the wealthiest personalities in the Philippines.

Many say she was lucky to have met her long-time partner, Tonyboy Cojuangco, who comes from a powerful clan. But it wasn’t just the relationship with Tonyboy that brought her riches. Her business partnership with close friend Charlie “Atong” Ang played a crucial role in making her influential and one of the country’s billionaires. They partnered in the booming business of online cockfighting, known as “e-sabong.”

Cockfighting isn’t new to Filipinos, but e-sabong gained massive popularity during the pandemic when mass gatherings were prohibited. It became a hit among rooster breeders and gamblers alike, though it also ruined many lives due to addiction and debt. Still, when players win, they take home large sums of money—this allure made e-sabong a favorite pastime, even among those stuck at home.

Gretchen’s involvement in sabong surprised many fans. She was never previously associated with cockfighting. But a viral video surfaced last year showing Atong Ang teaching Gretchen how to properly hold a fighting rooster. In the video, Gretchen was seen releasing a rooster named Lady Tiger into the arena. She actively promoted and invited her followers on social media to participate in their competitions.

As of June 2021, there were four main e-sabong operators in the country, including Atong Ang with Pitmasters Live under Lucky Star Quest, licensed by PAGCOR. They offered offsite betting for fights streamed live from cockfighting arenas. PAGCOR regulations required each operator to post a ₱75 million bond and pay a fixed regulatory fee of ₱12,500 per match or ₱75 million per month.

While startup costs were high, the potential profits were massive. According to some netizens, Gretchen allegedly earns about ₱59 million monthly from e-sabong. The government itself reportedly made ₱640 million per month from e-sabong operations.

Reports say Atong Ang’s e-sabong firm grossed nearly ₱3 billion monthly. Daily bets were said to average ₱2 billion, totaling around ₱60 billion a month. From this, they take 5% or ₱3 billion monthly. Agents earn about ₱2 to ₱2.5 billion, leaving around ₱800–₱900 million after expenses. That’s how Gretchen built her fortune.

She used her winnings to help others. Gretchen began distributing aid to celebrities, reporters, writers, and others in showbiz. In 2021, she launched the “Love is Essential” project, giving out love boxes filled with premium groceries and high-quality rice. Even frontliners and hospital staff received these.

She even donated ambulances—one such ambulance bore the “Love is Essential” branding and was gifted to VRP Medical Center in Mandaluyong for its 49th anniversary. Gretchen’s generosity extended to hospitals like San Lazaro, PGH, National Children’s Hospital, and National Center for Mental Health.

To Gretchen, these acts were a way to express love and kindness. During the pandemic, she helped over 3,300 families in Cavite and gave rice to security guards in upscale Metro Manila villages. She also donated to victims of Typhoon Odette and sponsored wheelchairs for online hosts and staff like Mr. Fu, Lolit Solis, and others.

She even delivered aid using trucks and helicopters. Netizens were amazed when she arrived by chopper at Sylvia Sanchez’s birthday or flew friends to her Tagaytay estate. That estate alone was said to be worth ₱65 million per unit, aside from her two other homes in executive villages and a vast farm in Zambales reportedly gifted by Tonyboy.

She’s also known for her generosity toward her family. Her sister Claudine admitted that Gretchen covered school fees, kids’ activities, and even psychiatric treatment. Claudine once received ₱500k/month in support. However, when Claudine entered politics, Gretchen allegedly stopped providing financial support due to a breach of their agreement.

Still, many admired Gretchen’s charitable acts during the pandemic. Veteran showbiz columnist Lolit Solis praised her for sharing her wealth. Through her example, other celebrities also began giving. Her team now personally delivers aid rather than waiting for third-party assistance.