For us 90’s kids, the day is not complete without seeing Claudine Barretto. She was once ABS-CBN’s Optimum Star, hence her face is plastered all over the television, billboards and admit it, even our notebooks.
Claudine had done numerous dramas, films and commercial that I as a kid religiously watched. I have been impressed by her acting ability and her ethereal beauty. What is with these Barretto Sisters? Did the find the fountain of youth?
She is about to celebrate her birthday this month, so let us look back with nostalgia and happiness, her life, her work and everything in between. Here are some of the things you may not know about Claudine Barretto.
EARLY LIFE
Claudine was born as Claudine Margaret Castelo Barretto on July 20, 1979 in Manila, Philippines. She is the youngest among seven siblings, two of which are also in the entertainment industry – Marjorie and Gretchen.
She attended her secondary studies at the South Merville in Paranaque. She originally wanted to take Speech and Theater at the University of the Philippines to improve her craft and profession.
CAREER BEGINNINGS
Claudine was discovered by the talent manager Douglas Quijano through Gretchen Barretto, Claudine’s older sister who was at that time already making names in showbiz. In 1992, she landed her first major role and appeared in the youth oriented show Ang TV.
The following year, she landed a role in the long running television series Home Along Da Riles. This job had catapulted her into national stardom. Her role in Home Along had opened doors for her – sitcoms mainly, such as Oki Doki Doc with Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales and Palibhasa Lalake Richard Gomes and Joey Marquez.
BREAKTHROUGH
Mula sa Puso is definitely her breakthrough as an actress. She finally shed her teenager roles and image and had taken in the female lead in this television romance drama series. She was paired with Rico Yan and Deither Ocampo, the former eventually being her real life partner.
Her acting spectrum was tested and proven when she landed complicated roles, both antagonist and protagonist, of Rosario, Rosenda and Rosita Ocampo, triplets to the television drama romance musical series Saan Ka Man Naroroon in 1999. The show ran for over five hundred episodes under the directorial leadership of Wenn Deramas.
Throughout her career, she played characters from various genres – a mermaid in the fantasy series Marina, a newly married woman in the horror thriller film Sukob, and a poor barrio lass in what is considered to be her best television series – Iisa Pa Lamang.
AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS
Claudine has always been one of the industry’s pillars, having been around for the longest time. With her numerous projects and work, she also have been nominated numerous times for various awards. Of course, with her acting caliber, she won some.
Her first film nomination was with the FAP Awards for Best Supporting Actress for her movie Soltera in 2000. Her first win, however, was in 2005 as the Best Actress in the 23rd FAP Luna Awards for her film Milan. In the same film, she also won the 53rd FAMAS Award.
Her first television nomination was earlier – in 1993 as the Best New TV personality at the PMPC Star Awards for her work with Ang TV. She eventually won it too!
CURRENT PROJECTS
Claudine as of now was reported to be shooting her comeback film Deception, playing the character of Rose. Under the Borracho Film Production, this drama is said to be her reunion work with Mark Anthony Fernandez. The film is directed by the legendary Joel Lamangan. This is her newest project after her last film Etiquette for Mistresses which was premiered in 2015.
Although this is a very brief summary of her career highlights, this gives you an overview of how versatile of an actress she truly is. Her last film was in 2015 and as a true blue fan, I couldn’t wait for her next film! Are you all excited?
