Senator Sonny Angara paid tribute to Zenaida “Bibot” Amador and Carmen “Baby” Barredo for their contributions to the development of Philippine theatre through Repertory Philippines (Rep).
Following the death of Barredo last May 23, Angara filed Senate Resolution 735 to pay homage to her and fellow Repertory Philippines founder Amador as two of the most prominent and influential figures in Philippine theatre.
Just like his father, the late former Senate President Edgardo Angara before him, the veteran legislator is also a huge supporter of the arts in all its forms.
“My mother, Gloria Manalang Angara, would bring me and my sisters to watch all the performances of the Rep.”
Upon learning of the passing of Barredo, the seasoned lawmaker fondly recalled how his mother Gloria Manalang Angara would bring him and his sisters to watch all the performances of the Rep.
Founded in 1967 by Amador, Barredo, Leo Martinez, Tony and Monina Mercado, Rep developed a reputation as the “most professional English-speaking theater company in the country”.
Rep has served as the training ground for most of the country’s celebrated theatre artists such as Lea Salonga, Monique Wilson, Joy Virata, Junix Inocian, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Cocoy Laurel, and Pinky Amador.
Amador was Rep’s president and artistic director until her death in 2008.
A Ten Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service honoree in 1977, Amador took a post-graduate course at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York in 1956 and taught drama and literature at the University of South Dakota before returning to the Philippines in 1967.
Dubbed as the Grand Dame of Philippine Theater, Barredo studied voice at the University of Indiana then went on to complete Drama at the American Conservatory of Dramatic Arts in New York.
After Amador’s death, Barredo served as Rep’s Chairman-for-Life and Artistic Director Emeritus.
“The body of work of these two female geniuses and pillars in Philippine theater, as well as the long and outstanding list of performers the Rep has produced over the decades, is truly worthy of being honored by the Senate,” the senator said.
“Almost every Filipino stage actor and actress we have watched in the Philippines and overseas were products of Rep under the tutelage of Bibot Amador and Baby Barredo.”
“Almost every Filipino stage actor and actress we have watched in the Philippines and overseas were products of Rep under the tutelage of Bibot Amador and Baby Barredo. Through this resolution we seek to pay tribute to these pioneers and their legacy in Philippine theater,” he concluded.
