Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Diana Zubiri Biography, Profile and Picture Gallery

Rosemarie Joy Garcia, better known by her stage name Diana Zubiri (born on April 15, 1985 in Bulacan, Philippines), is a Filipina actress. Diana Zubiri was discovered by Seiko Films when she was 15 years of age after applying a work in Japan. She then started on sexy roles on various films by Seiko. In October 2002, Diana Zubiri became widely known in the Philippines after posing on the EDSA-Shaw flyover in Mandaluyong City, wearing a two-piece bikini. That photoshoot for FHM Philippines sparked controversy and prompted the Mayor of the City to file charges against Diana Zubiri and FHM but it was later withdrawn after an apology.

In 2005, Diana Zubiri slowly departed on sexy films and proceeded to becoming a TV actress in GMA Network. One of her notable roles was portraying Danaya in the Encantadia fantasy series. She is also a regular cast 8in the sketch-comedy program, Bubble Gang and starred on drama series like Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita and Danny Zialcita’s Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan?.

Personal life

Diana Zubiri , when she was at about eight years old, together with her elder sister were left in the sole care of their mother when her father left them at Olongapo City. The family later transferred to a rented home in Fairview, Quezon City, where Diana spent her child life. Diana Zubiri was a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo but she became a Roman Catholic during her early years in showbiz.

Acting career

Diana Zubiri at the age of 15 started her showbiz career after applying in Japan as an entertainer. She met Jimmy Mercado, a Seiko Films employee, who was working part-time as an interviewer for wannabe-performers for Japan. At that time, Assunta de Rossi had just finished the sexy film Sisid. At 17, she signed her Seiko contract in 2001 and was launched in 2002 in the sexy film Itlog, opposite Rodel Velayo. She then returned to the Philippines and started to appear in sexy movies such as Bakat and Kasiping.

On October 29, 2002, she had a photo shoot wearing a two-piece bikini for FHM Philippines on EDSA-Shaw flyover in Mandaluyong City that became a major controversy. Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos filed charges of grave scandal against FHM Philippines and Diana Zubiri but he later withdrew it after Zubiri and FHM Philippines then Editor-in-chief Eric Ramos and Jojo Gabinete, Zubiri’s manager, apologized. Because of the “FHM Flyover” incident, Diana Zubiri became popular.

After a few sexy flicks, Diana Zubiri became a GMA Network artist, appearing as a regular cast in Bubble Gang, a sketch comedy television program. She also appeared in Encantadia as Danaya, the diwata that holds the Jewel of the Earth. She later reprised that role in Etheria and Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas.

Diana Zubiri co-starred as Ingrid in the action-adventure-telefantasya series Asian Treasures alongside Angel Locsin, Robin Padilla, and Marvin Agustin. She is also a cast member on GMA7’s Bubble Gang, and previously dated Bubble Gang co-star Wendell Ramos.

At this point, Diana Zubiri is no longer categorized as a sexy actress but is now considered a full-fledged TV-movie celebrity.

Judy Ann Santos Biography, Profile and Picture Gallery

Judy Ann SantosJudy Anne Lumagui Santos (screen name is Judy Ann Santos), popularly known as Juday (born May 11, 1978), is an award-winning and multi-nominated film and television actress in the Philippines. Tagged by the press and the public as The Young Superstar due to her phenomenal success amongst the masses, Santos is fondly called Juday by family, friends, and peers.

Biography

Born May 11, 1978 in Manila, Philippines, Santos was discovered during her 8th birthday, when she passed the audition for Regal Films’ Kaming Mga Ulila, a project that became a tv series instead for GMA. Santos essayed her first title role in IBC-13’s Ula, Ang Batang Gubat at the age of 10 before forging a long-running television career with ABS-CBN.

To date, she has starred in nine television series (Kaming Mga Ulila, Ula Ang Batang Gubat, Mara Clara, Esperanza, Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka, Basta’t Kasama Kita, Krystala, Sa Piling Mo, Ysabella), one episodic youth-oriented show (Gimik), and two anthologies (Star Drama Theatre Presents, Judy Ann Drama Special) and 60+ films. She was awarded the Box Office Queen trophy at the age of 21.

In November 2006, Santos was awarded her own star in the Philippines Walk of Fame. In March 2007, she was inducted into the Paradise of Stars in the Mowelfund Compound. Both honors were spearheaded by German Moreno.

Santos attended Assumption Convent/Our Lady of Peace Antipolo and Mount Carmel College in Quezon City then went on to study at the Center for Asian Culinary Studies under the tutelage of Chef Gene Gonzalez where she graduated with distinction . She is now training for certification as a professional chef.[1] She owns and manages a fine dining restaurant called Kaffe Carabana located in Quezon City. She used to own and manage Kaffe Kilimanjaro.

She has an elder brother actor Jeffrey Santos and elder sister named Jackie. Her mother single-handedly raised them by working as a caregiver in Toronto, Canada since her father left them. She also has half-siblings with her father who is now based in California, U.S.A.[2] [3] Santos was linked to actor-dancer Wowie De Guzman, actor-entrepreneur Rico Yan, and actor-singer-TV host Piolo Pascual. Santos is engaged to actor-TV host Ryan Agoncillo[4] . She has an adopted daughter Johanna Lois a.k.a Yohan. Santos is managed by Alfie Lorenzo and is not an exclusive contract artist with any movie production. 2007.

Judy Ann Santos Weight Issues

Santos grew from a skinny little girl into a chubby teenager. To become physically fit and more cinematically appealing, Santos resorted to Bangkok pills and fad diets but failed. Soon, she discovered the sport of kickboxing and started losing considerable weight during her training for the role of a boxer in Bakit ‘Di Totohanin.

Due to her transformation from a “chubby teen sweetheart” to a “sexy fitness guru”, she has become an image model for health and physical fitness. She regularly appears on television advertisements, endorsing pharmaceutical brands, herbal supplements, and weight management products.

Cover Girl

In 2006, Santos finally became the cover girl of COSMOPOLITAN magazine. In 2007, Judy Ann Santos was the cover girl for PREVIEW (twice, one with Jolina Magdangal), MOD, METRO, and MARIE CLAIRE. A-LIST, HI!, STAR STUDIO, and YES! also covered Santos’ anniversary celebration.

Judy Ann Santos also graced the cover of YES! magazine’s very first 100 Most Beautiful Stars special edition. YES! editor-in-chief Jo-Ann Maglipon explains their cover girl choice: We call her the girl with the It Quality — the girl with the special something that sets her apart from the traditionally prettier, fairer, taller, leaner stars around. And she is our choice to represent all the 99 other beautiful people we have chosen from showbiz.

Ara MinaHazel Reyes-Mathay, who is better known by her screen name Ara Mina (born May 9, 1979 in Manila, Philippines), is a Filipina actress, model and singer. She is a grand daughter of former Quezon City mayor Ishmael Mathay, Jr. She won the Golden Screen Award in 2004 for Best Actress in a drama in the Philippines. Since 1998, Mina has been a regular cast member of Bubble Gang, a sketch comedy television show in the Philippines.

She is the daughter of Chuck Mathay, a former Philippine congressman from Quezon City. Her sister Cristine Reyes is also an actress with GMA Network. She had to leave GMA and her show Bubble Gang due to ABS-CBN’s exclusive contract and having her show Prinsesa ng Banyera as Angelika de la Cruz’ replacement for her role.

Ara Mina is a mixture of everything nice and not. You can see her answer with straightforwardness all the intrigues thrown upon her, yet her sweetness reflects by her princess-style bedroom in her lucky house, which, unfortunately, is up for sale as of press time. But what makes Ara totally unique from all other sexy actresses and starlets emerging today?

Ever since, Ara Mina wanted to become part of the entertainment industry, perhaps inspired by her mother. At an early age of 7, she was already joining pageants sponsored by her school, where her usual talents will either be singing or acting. However, it was only in her stint in That’s Entertainment , hosted by German “Kuya Germs” Moreno, that she got the first taste of show business. She was 13 years old then.

Like any other alumna of the youth-oriented show, she was trained in numerous artistic crafts, like singing, acting, dancing, and hosting. Yet despite her exposure, her career never took full flight.

Then sexy roles started pouring in. Hardly thin but very voluptuous, Ara Mina was considered very appealing and sensual by a variety of directors. She also decided to keep her present name, which was derived from the names of her other two sisters.

Ara Mina started appearing in numerous X-rated movies, such as Init Sa Tag-ulan, Sagad Sa Init, Pahiram Kahit Sandali, Tatlo Magkasalo, Banatan, Phone Sex, and Maldita. She was also a famous covergirl for a number of men’s magazines in the Philippines such as FHM.

But Ara Mina is known to be a very patient and determined woman. Her luck turned positive when she was offered the role of a Chinese woman named Richelle Go who was in love with a Filipino man (played by Richard Gomez ) in Mano Po. She was able to bag a Best Actress Award for her subtle yet very strong performance. This was followed by her portrayal as a woman who’s lost faith in religion in Ang Huling Birhen Sa Lupa, which shares a similar plot with Himala of Ishmael Bernal.

Ara Mina is also a regular cast of Bubble Gang, GMA 7’s comedy show, which is on its way of celebrating its 10th year anniversary. She was able to showcase her comic side, which could be far-fetched from the roles she currently plays in other TV shows and in the movies. She’s also a singer too, whose first single Ay Ay Ay Pag-ibig became an instant hit among the masses with its catchy lyrics and tune. Meanwhile, she considers her second album, Moving On, as her way of going past all the intrigues that may be surrounding her private life, including a public spat with Aiko Melendez, the erstwhile wife of her then beau Jomari Yllana. Her third album will be released soon.

Entrepreneurship is also one of Ara Mina ’s expertise. If she’s not taping any shows or movies, or if she’s not abroad doing concerts, she keeps her hands full in her number of businesses. She owns Osteria 88, an Italian restaurant, and is a co-owner of Bubble Gang Toppings, whose other managers include the rest of her show’s co-stars. She is also managing Posh, a talent agency, for over a year.

Ara Mina is also an avid collector of things. She has toy cars, angel figurines, and more than 200 bottles of perfume

Patricia Javier

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