A surprising and seemingly hilarious piece of news recently caught the attention of netizens — Dennis Padilla, a well-known comedian and father of singer and influencer Claudia Barretto, was booed by netizens after he gifted a *bagoong* and a “Gengeng” cap as a wedding gift to his recently married daughter.

Although some laughed at Dennis’ seemingly unique approach, many were **disappointed and disappointed**, especially since this was supposedly the “first and last chance” to show his support for his son on a very important occasion. According to some comments:

> “That’s terrible. Can’t the gift be more appropriate or sentimental? Bagoong, really?”

> “If you want attention, don’t do it at your son’s wedding. That day wasn’t about you.”

The “Gengeng” cap is supposedly a reference to a meme or inside joke of Dennis’s, which he often uses in vlogs and live videos. According to netizens, it seems like his approach has become more “self-centered” than sincere.

However, **some of Dennis’s supporters** said that the gift might have a *symbolic meaning*, or maybe it was simply a good vibes-sending gift amidst the emotions of the occasion. Also, Dennis is also known for his *off-beat humor* and unconventional approach as a father.

As of now, there has been no official statement from Claudia or the Barretto family about the controversial wedding gift, but what is clear — **the reaction of netizens on social media was even hotter than the bagoong**. Many are asking: *Is the intention true, or is it just clout-chasing?*

In a now-deleted video, actor-politician says he wasn’t expecting to be invited to the wedding, says sorry for shortcomings

Hours before Dennis Padilla’s controversial outburst during Claudia Barretto and Basti Lorenzo’s wedding, the actor revealed that he had planned to gift his daughter with his “own souvenir” and two jars of bagoong (fermented fish or shrimp paste).

Barretto and Lorenzo, son of businessman Martin Lorenzo, owner of a chain of restaurants and other establishments, got married in simple ceremonies at a church in Alabang last April 9. An outdoor reception followed in Laguna.

In a now-deleted Facebook Live, Padilla showed his wedding gifts to Barretto and Lorenzo — a white cap with his face and the word “astig” printed in front, which was encased in a plastic box, as well as two variants of bagoong. The video was reuploaded by netizens on social media.

“It’s an exciting day today. Prepare ko muna ang mga gifts ko. Una, ang aking souvenir para sa kanilang dalawa, ang ‘astig’ cap. And then, siyempre, meron din akong binalot na [bagoong], dalawang flavor yan: merong sweet at merong spicy. Babalutin ko ito,” he said.

(It’s an exciting day today. I just want to prepare my gifts. First is my souvenir for both of them, my “astig” cap. And then, of course, I also have two flavors of bagoong, sweet and spicy. I will wrap them.)

He also said that he bought his barong outfit from Pandi, Bulacan, and undershirt and pants from a popular brand, and black leather shoes which he bought in 2016 but had shined so he could still use them for the occasion.

The video also showed the actor-comedian speaking of Barretto and Lorenzo’s “big wedding,” where he requested the couple to give him a grandchild before he dies.

“I’m very happy na nakakita na si Claudia ng life partner… To Claudia and Basti, I’m so very happy for you and I know that God will bless your wedding. God will bless the both of you. Sana magkaroon ako ng apo sa inyo kasi wala pa akong apo sa edad ko. Sana mabigyan niyo ko ng apo bago pumanaw man lang,” he said.

(To Claudia and Basti, I’m so very happy for you. I know that God will bless your wedding. God will bless both of you. I hope that I can have a grandchild from both of you because I don’t have one at this age. I hope that you can give me a grandchild before I die.)

He also expressed hope that his relationship with his children, especially the newlyweds would improve after the wedding, in which he said he was not really expecting to be invited to. He claimed that he was not able to meet his children as often as he would have liked because his income had been sorely depleted in recent years, on top of his quarrel with his ex-wife, Marjorie Barretto.

“Masaya na malungkot sa anak kong ito, kasi marami rin talaga akong pagkukulang sa kanila, lalo na dito kay Claui… Natuwa naman ako na nainvited ako sa kanilang wedding. I never expected it kase I already prepared myself na kung magkakaroon ng ganitong occasion, di ko naman sila nakakausap o nakikita madalas. Syempre nagkaron din kami ng mga tampuhan, so it was a big surprise for me to get invited,” he said.

(It’s a happy and sad feeling that my daughter is getting married, because I really have a lot of shortcomings, especially to Claui. I am happy to get invited because I wasn’t expecting it. I already prepared myself to the possibility of not getting invited to such occasions since we were no longer on speaking terms or see each other often because of our disagreements. So it was a big surprise for me to get invited.)

“Sana magkaron pa rin tayo ng communication even after the wedding kase, Claui, gusto ko rin sana makabawi sayo. Andami kong pagkukulang sayo. I love you,” he said.

(I hope that we could maintain our communication even after the wedding because, Claudi, I want to make up for my shortcomings. I really messed up. I love you.)

Barretto and Lorenzo’s wedding has been the subject of controversy after Padilla took to social media to rant that he was treated as a mere visitor, instead of being selected as the “father of the bride.

Marjorie then lashed out to defend the newlyweds in a recent two-part interview, where she stated that Padilla agreed to her daughter walking alone on the aisle. She further pointed out that the wedding was supposed to be a “private” moment for the couple and their loved ones, but it spiraled into a “telenovela” due to the actor-comedian’s explosive remarks.

Following the controversy, Padilla and his brother Gene Padilla turned off the comments section of their Instagram accounts amid the bashing that they received.