Carmen “Baby” Barredo, known as the Grand Dame of Philippine Theater, died on Sunday at a hospital in Taguig. She was 80.
The cause was multi-organ failure brought about by sepsis, her daughter Charlie confirmed in a Facebook post.
“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,” she began.
“I was by her side and her family and theatre children were with her in spirit and song. We will announce additional details in due course.
Thank you for all your loving words and prayers,” the post ended.
Known in the theater community as “Tita Baby,” Barredo co-founded Repertory Philippines (REP) along with the late Zenaida Amador and other theater luminaries. The company has served as a training ground for numerous enduring showbiz talents since its inception in 1967.
Among the biggest names that trained under REP were Monique Wilson, Cocoy Laurel, Cris Villonco, Pinky Amador, co-founder Leo Martinez, and Lea Salonga, among others.
The pioneering theater stalwart had been at the forefront of Philippine Theater with an illustrious theatrical career that spanned the gamut of genres from musicals to straight plays to classics.
According to her bio on REP website, Barredo studied voice under Fides Asencio, Ines Zialcita, and many other noted voice teachers as well as music with Lucretia Kasilag.
“Baby is gifted with the genius of perfect pitch, that is why her love is to oversee musicals and has been the Musical Director for most of Repertory’s very numerous music productions,” her blurb reads.
Barredo studied voice at the University of Indiana, and then went on to complete Drama in the American Conservatory of Dramatic Arts in New York before coming back to Manila to co-found REP.
In a social media post by REP, Barredo is described as a consummate artist—a complete actress, sublime singer, brilliant director, and theatrical creative genius.
“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,” the post said.