THE PHILIPPINE theater industry is mourning the loss of one of its biggest icons.
Carmen “Baby” Barredo, who co-founded Repertory Philippines in 1967, passed away on Sunday at the age of 80.
“It is with great sadness that Etienne and I announce the passing of our dearest Mama, beloved Tita Baby to so many of you all. She died peacefully at 7:37 p.m. at St Luke’s Hospital in Taguig from multi-organ failure brought about by sepsis,” Barredo’s daughter, Charlie, wrote on Facebook.
A theater star herself, Barredo teamed up with other theater personalities including Zeneida Amador, to establish Repertory Philippines.
It has become the training ground for some of the biggest names in local theater including Monique Wilson, Cocoy Laurel, Cris Villonco, Pinky Amador, co-founder Leo Martinez, and Lea Salonga, among many others.
Repertory Philippines, through the years, has staged several celebrated plays such as The Sound of Music, Jesus Christ Superstar, Wizard of Oz, and Les Miserables.
Repertory Philippines paid tribute to Barredo’s life and legacy with a video montage showing various photos of its co-founder in various stages of her life.
“Known for her unrelenting passion and discipline, artistic excellence, boldness, and abounding love, Tita Baby’s legacy lives on in every REP artist and audience member whose love and passion for theater she has powerfully and indelibly set alight,” it said on Facebook.(GMA News)
