Claudine Margaret Castelo Barretto (Tagalog:[klaʊˈdinbaˈrɛto]; born July 20, 1979) is a Filipino actress. Known for her acting versatility, she is considered one of the most prolific actors in Philippine entertainment. She has received numerous accolades, including two FAMAS Awards and a Star Award.
Barretto made her screen debut on the youth-oriented variety show, Ang TV and became a mainstay in several sitcoms, including Home Along Da Riles, Oki Doki Doc, and Palibhasa Lalake. Since then, she has established herself as one of the most significant figures in Philippine pop culture, garnering subsequent success and accolades for top-billing a string of classic soap operas including Mula sa Puso (1997), Marina (2004), and Saan Ka Man Naroroon (1999).
In 2000, she starred in the critically acclaimed drama Anak. She then starred in the 2002 romantic dramas Got 2 Believe and Kailangan Kita, earning a Best Actress win at the Luna Award for the latter film. For her role in the drama Milan, she won the FAMAS and Luna Award for Best Actress. She continued to gain acclaim for her performances in Nasaan Ka Man (2005), Dubai (2005), and Sukob (2006).
Career
Early work: ABS-CBN (1992–1997)
Barretto was discovered by talent manager Douglas Quijano in 1992 through older sister, Gretchen Barretto, also an actress. That same year, she landed her first major role on television when she was cast for ABS-CBN's youth-oriented variety show, Ang TV.
In 2002, she starred in a romantic-comedy film by Olivia Lamasan titled Got 2 Believe with real-life partner Rico Yan. The film received critical and box office success some noting it as one of the best romcom movies of all time and has inspired countless films that followed it. On the same year, she did the movie Kailangan Kita with Aga Muhlach. The film was directed by Rory Quintos in where Barretto's acting was once again acclaimed by critics and many has cited it as one of her best works.
Barretto shocked the local media in November 2009 when she broke ties with her long-time network ABS-CBN and transferred to rival company GMA Network.[1]
Barretto made a major big screen comeback in 2015 starring in the Star Cinema movie Etiquette for Mistresses alongside Kim Chiu, Iza Calzado, Cheena Crab, Kris Aquino and directed by Chito S. Roño. Despite the controversy of the film, it was acclaimed critically and was a box-office hit. Claudine also marks her first appearance on Maalaala Mo Kaya after more than 20 years, in an episode titled "Itak/Bolo" which aired in October of the same year.
In 2022, she made a television comeback on GMA Network through leading appearance in Wish Ko Lang. She led two episode of the said show for anniversary which both won in television ratings.
In 2023, Barretto starred in Lovers & Liars aired on GMA Network beating rival show in NUTAM ratings.
Personal life
Claudine Margaret Castelo Barretto was born on July 20, 1979, in Manila, Philippines. She is the youngest of seven children born to Miguel and Estrella "Inday" Barretto. Claudine has two sisters who are also actresses: Gretchen Barretto and Marjorie Barretto.
In March 2002, a month after the box-office success of their movie Got 2 Believe, Barretto lost her on-screen and real-life partner of four years, Rico Yan. The actor died of acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis and his death was considered one of the most shocking in Philippine showbiz.[2]
Barretto married actor Raymart Santiago on March 27, 2006, but was annulled in 2013.[3] In 2015, she adopted Sabina Natasha, Aryanna Quia, and her youngest, Noah Joaquin. Santino Santiago is their biological child.[4]
In 2013, Claudine and sisters Marjorie and Gretchen were involved in a highly publicized feud between them and their family.[5] In February 2019, Claudine reconciled with Gretchen.[6]
On October 7, 2021, Claudine formalized her bid to run as a city councilor for Olongapo City in the 2022 elections under the PDP–Laban political party.[7] On April 12, 2022, Claudine expressed her support for presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos in the elections.[8]
Reception and acting style
Claudine's outstanding performance as an actress has shaped the entertainment industry and paved the way for the transformation of the film community in previous years.
Barretto has been referred to as "The Optimum Star"[10][11] and has been cited as the third greatest movie actress in leading roles of the last 20 years (2000-2020).[12] Chez Ganal of Pep PH praised her performance in the film Milan (2004) saying: "Claudine delivered a performance that perfectly mixed the theatrics of romance with the nuances of drama. She became a template for lead actresses thereafter, especially when it came to delivering pained declarations of love onscreen."[12]
She was once called as "The next Vilma Santos" for her acting versatility and skill. Santos eventually praised Barretto's acting prowess for her flexibility in taking roles in film and television.[13] Amanda Lago of Rappler called the "Rico-Claudine" loveteam as the "'90s love team du jour" for their chemistry and popularity.[14] In 2018, Nadine Lustre paid homage and recreated one of Barretto's most iconic advertisement for the clothing line Folded & Hung.[15] Barretto's work has influenced younger artists, including Mariel Rodriguez, Kim Chiu, Rita Daniela, Julia Barretto and others.[16][17]
Robert Requinta of Manila Bulletin featured two of Barretto's iconic lines from classic films Soltera (1999) & Milan (2004) on their list of "28 memorable movie lines that will make you fall in love or cry".[18] Estoisa-Koo and Anarcon of Pep PH also made a list of "10 Famous Lines from Filipino Teleseryes" where her confrontation scene with Angelica Panganiban landed a spot from the 2008 hit series, Iisa Pa Lamang.[19]
Last film with Rico Yan before his death. Released about a month before Yan's death. Reunited with Mula sa Puso co-star. GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Award for Box-Office Queen
FAP Luna Award for Best Actress GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Award for Box-Office Queen Nominated – FAMAS Award for Best Actress Nominated – FAP Award for Best Actress Nominated – Gaward Urian Award for Best Actress Nominated – PMPC Star Award for Movies for Movie Actress of the Year
FAMAS Award for Best Actress FAP Award for Best Actress GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Award for Box-Office Queen Nominated – Gaward Urian Award for Best Actress Nominated – PMPC Star Award for Movies for Movie Actress of the Year
FAMAS Award for Best Actress Gaward Pasado Award for Best Actress Maria Clara Award for Best Actress PMPC Star Award for Movies for Movie Actress of the Year Nominated – FAP Luna Award for Best Actress Nominated – Gawad Urian Award for Best Actress
#3 Highest-grossing Filipino film of all time GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Award for Box-Office Queen (shared with Kris Aquino) Nominated – FAMAS Award for Best Actress Nominated – Gawad Pasado Award for Best Actress
On television, she bagged the Best Young Actress award from Parangal ng Bayan in 1999 for Mula Sa Puso and was nominated as Best Drama Actress by the Asian TV Awards in 2000 for Saan Ka Man Naroroon.
Film
Year
Category
Movie
Organization
Remarks
2000
Best Supporting Actress
Soltera
FAP Awards
Nominated
2003
Best Actress
Kailangan Kita
PMPC Star Awards
Nominated
2003
Best Actress
Kailangan Kita
FAMAS
Nominated
2003
Best Actress
Kailangan Kita
FAP
Nominated
2003
Best Actress
Kailangan Kita
Gawad URIAN
Nominated
2005
Best Actress
Milan
23rd FAP Luna Awards
Won
2005
Best Actress
Milan
53rd FAMAS Award
Won
2005
Best Actress
Milan
PMPC Star awards for Movies
Nominated
2005
Best Actress
Milan
Gawad URIAN
Nominated
2006
Best Actress
Nasaan Ka Man
8th Gawad PASADO Award
Won
2006
Best Actress
Nasaan Ka Man
22nd PMPC Star awards for Movies
Won
2006
Best Actress
Nasaan Ka Man
54th FAMAS Awards
Won
2006
Best Actress
Nasaan Ka Man
FAP Luna
Nominated
2006
Best Actress
Nasaan Ka Man
Gawad URIAN
Nominated
2006
Best Actress
Dubai
55th Maria Clara Awards
Won
2006
Best Actress
Dubai
FAP Luna
Nominated
2006
Best Supporting Actress
Dubai
ENPRESS Golden Screen
Nominated
2006
Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role
Nasaan Ka Man
Young Critics Circle
Nominated
2007
Best Actress
Sukob
Gawad PASADO
Nominated
2007
Best Actress
Sukob
FAMAS Award
Nominated
2011
Best Actress
In Your Eyes
FAP Luna
Nominated
2016
Dangal ng PASADO sa Pangkatang Pagganap ng may Mataas na Papuri
15 CinemaOne Legends[24] (with Fernando Poe Jr., Dolphy, Nora Aunor, Susan Roces, Nida Blanca, Christopher de Leon, Vilma Santos, Maricel Soriano, Aga Muhlach, Robin Padilla, Judy Ann Santos, John Lloyd Cruz, Sharon Cuneta and Piolo Pascual)