So as not to shock her long-time partner, billionaire businessman Tonyboy Cojuangco, and her teen daughter Dominique, Gretchen Barretto kept her role in “Maalaala Mo Kaya” a secret from them.

The episode that's slated to be aired sometime soon, sees Gretchen in another controversial role.  

“Ako ay isang guro na mai-in love sa isang sundalo at mabubiyuda. Mai-in love uli (ang character ko rito). Ito ang kontrobersyal talaga, mai-in love siya sa isang pari,” she shared on “Showbiz News Ngayon,” March 31.

La Greta is not new in essaying a controversial role on television.

Two years ago, she played a married woman who left her family and had an affair with a wealthy man. For her portrayal, the actress bagged a Star Awards Best Performance By An Actress trophy last year. 

Knowing how controversial her new TV role is, Gretchen had to keep it to herself.

“Hindi ko kinuwento ‘yung role kasi siyempre, magiging kontrabida na naman sila. Baka pigil-pigilan nila ako,” she said.

Will this challenging role bring her luck anew come awards time? Gretchen is not hopeful.

“Hindi ko kasi iniisip kung magkakaroon ako ng award o hindi. Iniisip ko lang, sana mapaligaya ko ang mga manonood ng ‘MMK.’ Bonus na lang kung manalo ng award.”

The “MMK” guesting is just a prelude to a full-length soap, “Magkaribal,” which also stars Bea Alonzo and Derek Ramsay.

Gretchen has already started taping for “Magkaribal” and she says her daughter Dominique is slowly adjusting to her not being around the house everyday.

The actress admitted her return to acting was met with hesitance by her daughter and her partner.

“Siyempre, wala ako sa bahay parati. Pero ano, eto ang gusto ko eh.

“Nagtanong ang anak ko kagabi, ‘What time are you coming tomorrow?’ Siyempre, wala kang masagot. Pero kailangang makapag-adjust sila in no time kasi working mom na ako.”

Nevertheless, she still has the support of Tonyboy and Dominique.

“Alam nila na excited akong gawin ito at ito talaga ang gusto ko sa buhay ko, so papayagan din nila ako.”