Theater Writer and Director Freddie Santos Dies at 64
Freddie Santos, who was most recently honored with the Natatanging Gawad Buhay Lifetime Achievement Award earlier this year, passed away in his sleep from diabetes complications at 5am this morning. He was 64.
Timestamp for Freddie Santos’ tribute: 1:28:00
Santos wore many hats in both the theater and concert scene, as an actor, singer, designer, composer, lyricist, playwright, and director. He first debuted as a bit player in REP’s 1976 production of Juno and the Paycock and was succeedingly cast in every single production of the company after that for 5 years.
When he left REP, he then performed in both English and Filipino plays with Teatro Pilipino, under the company’s Founder and Artistic Director, National Artist Rolando Tinio. He then became a founding member and the first Artistic Director of Trumpets Inc., as well as a founding member of Philstage, the alliance of sixteen professional companies in the theatrical arts. He wrote and directed a number of musicals, including First Name, Joseph the Dreamer, Widows, Orphans, and Wildebeests, So David, Il Divino, and Sabel: Love and Passion. He also collaborated with and directed the concerts of many, many music and theater artists over the years, from the 1980’s to the 2000’s.
Theater practitioners like Lea Salonga, Audie Gemora, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Gary Valenciano, Jett Pangan, Sheila Francisco, and many more posted their personal tributes.
Rest In Peace, my Daddy Warbucks. I’ll never forget you. With love, your Annie
Freddie Santos passed away this morning. He was my first leading man, a mentor, a teacher. A brilliant writer and director. You will be missed, Tito Freddie.
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) December 17, 2020
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