THEN AND NOW: Claudine Barretto's son Rodrigo Santino Santiago

It seems like only yesterday when Claudine Barretto and then husband Raymart Santiago welcomed their first child, Rodrigo Santino Santiago, into the world on July 19, 2007.

And now, almost 16 years later, Santino is no longer the little boy we once knew.

Read also: Christine Bersola-Babao admires Claudine Barretto's dedication as hands-on single mom: “Doon ako bilib kay Claudine.”

After Claudine's sneaky move to upload a photo of herself with Santino on April 16, 2023, social media went abuzz over such a rare sighting of the teenager.

PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) revisits the highlights of young Santino's life, then and now.

THEN

2007

Claudine delivered Santino on July 19, 2007, at St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City, Philippines.

Santino weighed seven pounds and was Claudine's first child with estranged husband Raymart. It was a joyous moment for the couple, who had tied the knot two years prior.

Estranged couple Raymart Santiago and Claudine Barretto welcome firstborn son Rodrigo Santino "Saint" Barretto Santiago PHOTO: Raymart Santiago

Read also: First photos of Rodrigo Santino Barretto Santiago

2008

Santino's first birthday and his dedication to the Christian world was celebrated at the Blue Leaf Events Pavillion in Taguig City.

Famous personalities graced the Barney-themed party, including Santino’s celebrity godparent—Edu Manzano, Robin Padilla, Manny Pacquiao, Liz Almoro, Atty. Noni Buencamino, Cristalle Henares, Paolo Contis, Isabel Oli, and Meryll Soriano.

Santino Santiago's Barney-themed birthday party PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

Read also: Rodrigo Santino Santiago turns One

Santino Santiago first birthday shoot PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

2012

Santino goes on a playground date with his Ate Sab PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

Playing with their home's new trash bin PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

2013

Scribbling 'I LOVE YOU MOM' on the house post on Mother's Day PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

Read also: Claudine Barretto says she can't ask for more with the arrival of Santino

Helping his mama with chores PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

Attending Ateneo's Salo Salo Fiesta Fair PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

2014

In 2014, a grand birthday party was held for Santino as he turned seven.

It was a Minecraft-themed party, and had all the essential elements from the popular video game.

Santino Santiago celebrates his 7th birthday through a Minecraft-themed party PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

Life-sized replicas of Minecraft characters filled the venue, while guests had fun on the velcro wall.

Ceiling installments and his birthday cake were all TNT boxes from the game.

Read also: Claudine Barretto, Raymart Santiago together to celebrate son Santino's 7th birthday

Santino also had other fun things to do that year.

Santino Santiago aboard the yellow submarine PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

Santino Santiago goes fishing with mom Claudine Barretto and his ate Sab PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

Tree Top Adventure visit in Baguio with his Lolo Miguel, Lola Inday, Mama, and sister PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

Making his mama proud by being a brave boy in the hospital PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

2015

MIIS Fun Run (top) and Bazaar (bottom) PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

Santino gets into boxing PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

Kalesa ride with mama and sister PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

Santino gets a foot spa on his pamper day PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

School day with his cousin, Kuya Leon Barretto, son of Claudine's Ate Marjorie Barretto and estranged husband Dennis Padilla. PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

Santino gets a new haircut PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

2016

Getting good feedback in school PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

Boracay getaway PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

Enjoying their unique tent inside a van PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

Visiting Rico Yan's grave with his mom Claudine PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

Read also: Claudine Barretto explains visit to Rico Yan's grave with son Santino

Poke-ball hoodies with Ate Sab and Baby Quia PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

2017

Santino Santiago celebrates his Lola Inday Barretto's 80th birthday. Also in photo: Lolo Miguel, Ate Sab, and Quia. PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

Going on a pre-Valentine date with Dad Raymart Santiago and Ate Sab PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @raymartsantiago

Read also: Raymart Santiago takes kids Santino and Sabina on pre-Valentine date

Baking a sponge cake for mom PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

Jeffy-themed birthday party in school PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

2018

Attending ate Sab's graduation PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

Santino poses with mom Claudine after parent-child day PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

Day trip at the beach PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

2019

A party for Sab and Saint PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

2020

Santino is 13 PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

NOW

Today, people find it hard to believe that Santino has already grown into a handsome and healthy teenager.

Only recently, Santino has chosen to appear less frequently on social media.

2021

From Claudine's updates, he enrolled in some scuba-diving lessons in 2021.

Santino Santiago goes scuba diving PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

Read also: Raymart Santiago may birthday message para sa anak nila ni Claudine Barretto

2022

Santino graduates from high school PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

Read also: Claudine Barretto writes love letter to son Santino on his birthday

Claudine wrote in her post on Santino's 15th birthday (published as is), "Happy happy 15th birthday My Son.you are truly Gods gift to Mom.

"thank u for being a great Brother to Ate Sab & Kuya to Noah & Quia & the BEST SON a Mother can only pray for.

"u are such an Amazing Person.i know great things will happen to great People like u.

"i luv u more than anything in this world Saint.there isnt anything Mummy wont do for u.you are my life anak[emojis]"

2023

Santino Santiago life update PHOTO: Screengrab from Instagram | @claubarretto

Read also: Mga teenager na anak nina Lea Salonga at Claudine Barretto, muling nasilayan ng publiko

It's been days since Claudine shared on Instagram a rare photo of her son.

She wrote on April 16, 2023: "Wow. Finally he agreed to have his picture taken with me. I promised not to post this though."

Netizens enjoyed the much-awaited update, citing the teen as the "male version" of Claudine.

Claudine has four children. Aside from Santino, the Optimum Star has three adopted children: Sabina, 18, Quia, 7, and Noah.

READ MORE:

• Claudine Barretto on Raymart Santiago: "He stopped giving support for 2 years."
• Claudine Barretto finally introduces her youngest child Noah Joaquin
• Raymart Santiago spends Christmas with ex-wife Claudine Barretto, children Sabina and Santino
• Claudine Barretto sees Robin Padilla as role model for her son Santino: "Mabuting tao... maayos na lalaki, gentleman. Sobra!"

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