The Birth of an Artist
Osias Barroso Jr. was a born artist.
Though the path to becoming the country’s acclaimed “Ballerina’s Prince” would be long and arduous, he developed a keen interest in the arts early on.
The boy nicknamed “Toto” grew up in a clan that appreciated music and the arts. His mother played the piano and his father the violin. At home, musical instruments such as the harmonica and drums were commonplace. Eventually, he learned to play the piano and the guitar. He liked sketching and also dabbled in poetry, inspired by an uncle who wrote poems. He enjoyed reading books and watching movies.
Family gatherings on his maternal side were highlighted by in-house performances. He would gamely show off his moves, earning applause for his youthful efforts. In elementary school, he already knew the singkil and other folk dances as he was always being tapped for programs. In high school, he became part of a group called the Singing Sebastinians.
All these served as the foundation for his lifelong love for the arts, ultimately paving the way for a career that would earn him recognition and awards. He was the first in his family to choose dance as a profession and though not everyone approved of it, he blazed the trail for younger relatives who would follow his footsteps and go into the arts as well.
The boy nicknamed “Toto” was less than a year old when this photograph was taken.
His mother’s side of the family, the Gepilanos, was a big clan that would have music and dance numbers at gatherings. Toto is seen here in front, sitting on the floor at left.
For a cousin’s debut when he was 15, the would-be danseur (right, foreground) choreographed a special number to the song, Night to Remember, for himself and his Barroso cousins.
Family members led by mother Anita and sister Icet (first and second from right) came to watch when Toto (third from right) had his first performance with Vella Damian’s Dance Concert Company in Puerta Real in Intramuros.
Toto became “Teacher Shaz” to two of his nieces, Nicole Barroso (left) and Sophia Villamater (right), both of whom have followed his footsteps and entered the field of dance.