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Freddie Santos, known for his extensive work in Philippine theater and concerts, died on Thursday, December 17. He was 64 years old.
His sister Bambi Santos confirmed to ABS-CBN that he died at around 5 am. Santos had struggled with diabetes for many years.
Many of the country’s top theater actors mourned his sudden passing. Lea Salonga took to social media to say she’ll miss Santos, whom she fondly calls Daddy Warbucks, a character from the musical Annie. Lea starred in an adaptation of the musical during her early years in showbiz.
“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.”
Carlo Orosa took to Facebook, expressing regret that Santos wouldn’t get to see their planned tribute for him.
“Like a thief in the night you were taken away from us all. Rest In Peace Direk Freddie Santos. I’m overwhelmed with sadness you did not get to see the most beautiful tribute we’ve prepared for you,” he said.
Audie Gemora posted a photo of himself and Santos together on Facebook, recalling the time when Trumpets, the theater company behind shows such as Joseph the Dreamer, was just starting.
“Freddie always understood magnificence. His grandness was too big for most of us to grasp. But I believe the Lord will now show him the kinda of theatre he always dreamed of. And together create art beyond anything we can ever imagine,” Gemora said.
“I will miss Freddie terribly. His humor, his laughter, his mind, heart, and soul. But he has left more than enough love, memories, and great works to last my lifetime and beyond. Til we meet and perform together again…’Joining our hands we sing Hallelujah!'”
Jett Pangan of The Dawn also paid tribute to Santos on Facebook.
“I will never forget what he told me after the show: “Jett, your spiels are getting better… and better…” in a fading, exasperated tone. The rest of the band laughed,” Pangan shared.
“In that gig at Light And Sound, a record exec watched and eventually took the risk of signing us up.
“A big THANK YOU to Direk Freddie Santos. May he now rest happily. He will be missed.”
Others who paid tribute to Santos include veteran actress Sheila Francisco, producer Butch Jimenez, and singer Lito Villareal.
Santos directed and wrote some of the most well-known musicals in Philippine theater including First Name, Joseph the Dreamer and Sabel: Love and Passion.
He has also composed songs and helped many of the country’s top OPM artists. He worked as a consultant for many theater productions and live concerts.
Early this year, Santos wrote on his Facebook that while theater maybe closed due to the coronavirus, live storytelling will continue.
“Theater did not begin as professional theater but as personal theater, and if it needs to go back there again in order to build its way onward, let it. In that regard, Theater will continue. Because someone has a story to tell,” he said. – Rappler.com
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