Baby Barredo, Grand Dame of Philippine theater, dies at 80

Baby Barredo, the Grand Dame of Philippine theater, has passed away. She was 80 years old.

Her passing was confirmed by her daughter, Charlie, who said the elder Barredo died due to multi organ failure on Sunday night at the St. Luke’s Hospital in Taguig.

“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,” Charlie wrote on Facebook.

“I was by her side and her family and theatre children were with her in spirit and song,” she added. “Thank you for all your loving words and prayers. Rest in peace Mama.”

Repertory Philippines also took the time to honor Barredo with a 43-second montage of her portraits through the years. 

“Tita Baby was a consummate artist—a compleat actress, sublime singer, brilliant director, and theatrical creative genius,” the caption read.

“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 added.

Barredo co-founded Repertory Philippines in 1967 with Zenaida Amador.

According to the performance art theatre website, Barredo was “gifted with the genius of perfect pitch” and loved to oversee and participate in musicals.

“For over fifty years, Baby has been in the forefront of Philippine Theater with an illustrious theatrical career,” the website read. “You name the play, Baby has appeared in it.”

Before passing, Barredo was the Repertory Philippines’ Chairman-for-Life and Artistic Director Emeritus.

Among the plays that the Repertory Philippines has staged include “The Sound of Music,” “Wizard of Oz” and “Les Miserables.” — Franchesca Viernes/LA, GMA News