Claudine Margaret Castelo Barretto-Santiago or Claudine Barretto was born on July 21,1979 she tagged as the Optimum Star and Young Star for All Seasons of her time, approved by the original title holder herself Vilma Santos. Claudine is an award-winning TV and film actress in the Philippines. She is notable for her portrayal of the mermaid Marina in the 2004 Marina TV series .
Barretto is one of the pioneers of ABS CBN's circle of homegrown talents named Talent Center, also known as Star Magic. She started her career as the lead role in the teen-oriented gag show Ang TV which lead her to appear in several shows of ABS-CBN, especially Mula sa Puso that made her popular and a real actress by receiving her first Best Actress award from Parangal ng Bayan in 1999. Due to her popularity she was tagged by the press and the public as the Optimum Star. As of 2008, Barretto received eight Best Actress awards (from FAP, FAMAS, PMPC, PASADO, MARIA CLARA and PARANGAL NG BAYAN) and three Box Office Queen Awards from GMMSF.
Claudine as the Young Vilma opposite contemporary artist is the also equally popular and award-winning actress Judy Ann Santos as the Young Nora. The Juday-Claudine rivalry rose to fame since the 90's where most of their achievements are identical for them to be constantly compared by the press and their fans in terms of awards, endorsements, blockbuster movies, magazine covers, even loveteam partner with the matinee idols like the late Rico Yan and Piolo Pascual and especially TV shows such as teleseryes(as who is the real Teleserye Queen?), so just like the old Nora-Vilma rivalry in the 70's. Today the Juday-Claudine rivalry also spiced up the showbiz world.
