Diana Zubiri
Diana Zubiri | |
|---|---|
| Born | Rosemarie Joy Garcia April 15, 1985 Bulacan, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Known for | Danaya in Encantadia Carla Melendez in Bukas na Lang Kita Mamahalin LilaSari in Encantadia (2016) Isabel in D' Originals |
| Spouses | Alex Lopez
(m. 2008; died 2010)Andy Smith (m. 2015) |
| Children | 3 |
Rosemarie Joy Garcia-Smith (born April 15, 1985), better known by her stage name Diana Zubiri, is a Filipina actress. She began her acting career in the early 2000s when she starred in various erotic movies produced by Seiko Films. She is widely recognized for her role as Danaya in the 2005 fantasy drama series Encantadia.
Early life and education
[edit]Rosemarie Joy Garcia is born on April 15, 1985 in Bulacan, Philippines. When she was six or seven years old, her father abandoned their family. Since then, her mother at Olongapo, who maintained a sari-sari store, took care of them. The family later transferred to Fairview, Quezon City and rented a house, where she stayed during her younger years.[1] Her mother remarried[1] and bore a child that became her halfsister.[2]
Zubiri was a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo but later converted to Roman Catholicism during her early part of her show business career.[3] She finished with a theater arts degree at Miriam College.[4][5]
Career
[edit]Zubiri was discovered by Seiko Films at the age of 15, years after applying for work in Japan as an entertainer. She later starred in various sexy films produced by the company. Zubiri became well-known to the public in October 2002 when she posed atop the EDSA–Shaw flyover in Mandaluyong, wearing only a two-piece bikini for the men's magazine FHM Philippines. This photoshoot stirred controversy, leading the then-mayor of Mandaluyong, Benhur Abalos, to file charges against Zubiri and the magazine. However, the charges were later withdrawn following an apology.[6]
In 2003, she became a semi-regular host in the noontime show Eat Bulaga! which lasted until 2005.[7] She also became a mainstay on the long-running sketch-comedy show Bubble Gang until 2009.
Starting in 2005, she began taking on acting roles in various shows on GMA Network. Zubiri's major acting breakthrough came with the 2005 fantasy drama series Encantadia, where she portrayed Danaya, the diwata who holds the Jewel of the Earth.[8] She later reprised the role in the spin-offs Etheria and Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas. In 2007, Zubiri starred in the action-adventure series Asian Treasures alongside Angel Locsin and Robin Padilla.
When Seiko Films shut down in late 2007, Zubiri became a freelancer. By this time, she had retired from making adult-themed films, with her final one being in the film Silip alongside Polo Ravales and Francine Prieto. She appeared in her first Regal Films movie, Shake, Rattle & Roll X, a 34th Metro Manila Film Festival entry, and starred in One Night Only under OctoArts Films. She also appeared in the drama series Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita and Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan? during this period.
After a two-year absence from both film and television, Zubiri made her return in 2010 with the comedy fantasy series Jillian: Namamasko Po. The following year, she appeared in several drama series, including Nita Negrita and Amaya.[9]
In 2012, Zubiri signed a three-year exclusive contract with ABS-CBN. Notably, during her early career, she had applied multiple times to ABS-CBN's Talent Center before ultimately seeking opportunities in Japan. In March of that year, Zubiri won the Best Performer Award from the Young Critics Circle for her role in the indie film Bahay Bata, where she portrayed a nurse. The film also won the Jury Prize at the 2012 Deauville Asian Film Festival in France.[10]
In 2013, Zubiri joined the cast of the action-fantasy series Juan dela Cruz. Later that year, she starred in the drama series Bukas na Lang Kita Mamahalin alongside Gerald Anderson, Dawn Zulueta, and Cristine Reyes.
After her contract with ABS-CBN expired in 2015, she returned to GMA Network, where she appeared in episodes of Karelasyon and joined the cast of the 2015 remake of Marimar. In 2016, she portrayed one of the major antagonists in the remake of Encantadia, the series she first starred in 2005. She continued to take on supporting and guest roles in various GMA series, including D' Originals, Super Ma'am, Victor Magtanggol, Cain at Abel, Dragon Lady, and Beautiful Justice.
Zubiri took a brief hiatus from acting but made her return to television in 2024, joining the cast of the drama series Mga Batang Riles.[11]
Personal life
[edit]On May 10, 2015, Zubiri married Australian businessman-model Andy Smith in New Manila, Quezon City.[12][13] They have a daughter named Aliyah Rose born on August 14, 2016.[14] After giving birth to her third child in 2020, Zubiri and her family moved to Adelaide, South Australia where the couple run a talent agency for a global social live-streaming platform.[15]
Zubiri sold one of her souvenirs to Jayson Luzadas or Boss Toyo for $400 (₱23,417). The subject memorabilia is her donned bikini top and panties used in her controversial photo shoot at EDSA-Shaw flyover for FHM Philippines on October 2002.[16]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Itlog | Sally | Seiko Films |
| Bakat | Annie | ||
| Kasiping | Rowena | ||
| 2003 | Liberated | Pauline | |
| 2004 | Liberated 2 | Fatima | |
| 2005 | Bikini Open | Gail | |
| 2006 | I Wanna Be Happy | Tish | |
| 2007 | Silip | Tess | |
| 2008 | One Night Only[17][18] | Vivian | OctoArts Films and Canary Films |
| Shake, Rattle & Roll X | Acacia | Regal Entertainment | |
| 2011 | Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat | Alex | |
| 2012 | Bahay Bata | Nurse Sarah | Found Films |
| 2014 | Separados | Five 2 Seven Entertainment Production and Alternative Vision Cinema | |
| Feng Shui 2 | Woman | Star Cinema and K Productions | |
| 2016 | Iadya Mo Kami | BG Productions International | |
| 2019 | Mystified | Kathalina | iflix, Sanggre Productions |
| 2020 | In the Name of the Mother | Rowena | Heaven's Best Entertainment |
Television / Digital series
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003–2005 | Eat Bulaga! | Herself | Host | GMA Network |
| 2003–2009 | Bubble Gang | Mainstay | ||
| 2005 | Perfect: An Eat Bulaga Lenten Special | Extended Cast | ||
| Encantadia | Sang'gre Danaya | Main Cast | ||
| Wag Kukurap: Food Trip/Caller | Claire | Lead Role | ||
| Wag Kukurap: Signs/Immoral | Marie | |||
| Bahay Mo Ba 'To? | Herself | Guest Appearance | ||
| 2005–2006 | Etheria: Ang Ikalimang Kaharian ng Encantadia | Reyna Danaya | Lead Role | |
| 2006 | Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas | |||
| Ang Pagbabago | Herself | Host | ||
| Now and Forever: Linlang | Divina Agustin | Supporting Cast | ||
| 2007 | Asian Treasures | Ingrid Vargas / Urduja | Main Cast | |
| 2007–2008 | Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan | Carmela Langit / Princess Arianna of Avea / Arianna Impostor | ||
| 2008 | Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita | Julie Maceda-San Juan | ||
| Sine Novela: Danny Zialcita's Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan | Elsa Cervantes-Almeda | Main Cast / Antagonist | ||
| Dear Friend | Various Roles | Lead Role | ||
| 2010–2011 | Jillian: Namamasko Po | Francine Sanchez | ||
| 2011 | Nita Negrita | Danica | Supporting Cast | |
| Futbolilits | Florentina | Extended Cast | ||
| Spooky Nights: Parol | Ayra | Lead Role | ||
| 2011-2012 | Amaya | Kapid | Extended Cast | |
| 2012 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Apoy | Yoli | Lead Role | ABS-CBN |
| Wansapanataym: Wansapana-Ride | Madelyn Versoza | |||
| 2013 | Juan dela Cruz | Peru-ha / Saragnayan | Supporting Cast / Primary Antagonist | |
| Toda Max | Alex | Extended Cast | ||
| Bukas na Lang Kita Mamahalin | Carla Melendez | Main Cast / Anti-Hero / Protagonist | ||
| 2014 | Ipaglaban Mo: Akin ang Asawa Ko | Marjorie | Lead Role | |
| Home Sweetie Home | Susie Samonte | Main Cast | ||
| 2015 | Mac & Chiz | Jaya | Guest Appearance | TV5 |
| Baker King | Sonia San Miguel | Supporting Cast | ||
| Wagas: Terry and Jonjon Love Story | Terry | Lead Role | GMA News TV | |
| Karelasyon: Cougar | Lara | Lead Role | GMA Network | |
| Karelasyon: Status Symbol | Trixie | |||
| 2015–2016 | Marimar | Julianna Corcuera-Aldama | Extended Cast / Antagonist | |
| 2016 | Dear Uge: Faking Girls | Lani De Vera | Lead Role | |
| 2016–2017 | Encantadia | LilaSari | Main Cast / Antagonist / Protagonist | |
| 2017 | Magpakailanman: Justice for the Battered Child | Linda | Lead Role | |
| Magpakailanman: OFW on Death Row | Sally Ordinario-Villanueva† | |||
| Karelasyon: Magnanakaw ng Puso | Monet | |||
| D' Originals | Isabel "Sabel" Buenaventura | Extended Cast / Antagonist / Protagonist | ||
| Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: Hans, Gretchen, and the Witch | Mama | Supporting Role | ||
| Wagas: Ghost | May | Lead Role | GMA News TV | |
| Tadhana: Ang Batang Refugee | Melinda | GMA Network | ||
| Dear Uge: Gulaman of My Dreams | Myrna | |||
| Super Ma'am | Gilda "Jill" Magpantay | Extended Cast / Antagonist | ||
| Magpakailanman: Best Sisters Forever | Linsie | Lead Role | ||
| 2018 | Magpakailanman: A Ghost From My Past | Jade | ||
| Wagas: Lola Iska | Iska | Supporting Role | GMA News TV | |
| Stories for the Soul: Maghihintay ang Walang Hanggan | Leila | Lead Role | GMA Network | |
| Victor Magtanggol | Freya | Special Participation | ||
| Cain at Abel | Young Precy | Guest Cast / Antagonist | ||
| Tadhana: Linlang | Leslie | Lead Role | ||
| 2019 | Tadhana: Tatlong Panganay | Joyce | ||
| Dragon Lady | Almira Sanchez-Atienza / Lavender Del Fuego | Supporting Cast / Protagonist | ||
| Stories for the Soul: Uhaw na Tubig | Kathy | Lead Role | ||
| Dear Uge: Kalma Mama | Maya | |||
| Beautiful Justice | Athena "Queen A" Vergara | Guest Cast / Antagonist | ||
| Magpakailanman: Yuki | Debbie | Lead Role | ||
| 2020 | Tadhana: Bayad Danyos | Rona | ||
| 2024 | Bblgang | Herself | Guest Appearance | |
| 2025 | Mga Batang Riles | Maying | Supporting Cast |
Awards and recognition
[edit]FHM ranking
[edit]Zubiri made her first appearance in FHM Philippines in June 2002 as one of the "Girls of FHM." Just six months later, she became a cover girl for the magazine, posing on the EDSA-Shaw Boulevard flyover. She appeared in an FHM calendar alongside Maui Taylor and Aubrey Miles. She also appeared in the FHM editions of Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia.[19]
In September 2014, Zubiri returned to the FHM cover for the fourth time as part of a special four-part series, alongside Rachel Anne Daquis, Myrtle Sarrosa, and Andrea Torres.[20]
For 14 consecutive years, Zubiri consistently ranked in the magazine's annual 100 Sexiest Women in the World list. She topped the list in 2003 where she was hailed the FHM Philippines' Sexiest Woman.
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Won by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | FHM Philippines | 100 Sexiest Women of the World | Ranked # 90 | Assunta de Rossi |
| 2003 | Ranked # 1 PH Finest | Herself | ||
| 2004 | Ranked # 3 | Cindy Kurleto | ||
| 2005 | Ranked # 4 | Angel Locsin | ||
| 2006 | Ranked # 4 | Katrina Halili | ||
| 2007 | Ranked # 7 | Katrina Halili (2) | ||
| 2008 | Ranked # 5 | Marian Rivera | ||
| 2009 | Ranked # 13 | Cristine Reyes | ||
| 2010 | Ranked # 16 | Angel Locsin (2) | ||
| 2011 | Ranked # 23 | Sam Pinto | ||
| 2012 | Ranked # 37 | Sam Pinto (2) | ||
| 2013 | Ranked # 54 | Marian Rivera (2) | ||
| 2014 | Ranked # 27 | Marian Rivera (3) | ||
| 2015 | Ranked # 19 | Jennylyn Mercado |
Other awards
[edit]On June 27, 2012, Zubiri accepted her Young Critics Circle award for Best Performance at the ceremony held at the University of the Philippines.[21][4][22]
| Year | Film Award/Critics | Award/Nomination/Category | Nominated Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Young Critics Circle award | Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role | Bahay Bata | Won |
| 35th Gawad Urian Awards | Best Actress | Bahay Bata | Nominated |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Diana Zubiri: The enchantress in her own Encantadia". GMA News. GMA Network. August 10, 2007. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
- ^ "Diana Zubiri: The enchantress in her own Encantadia". Philippine Entertainment Portal. January 27, 2009. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
- ^ Nuñez, Julie Ann (September 29, 2006). "DIANA ZUBIRI: ANG PAGBABAGO". filmacademyphil.org (in Tagalog). Film Academy of the Philippines. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
- ^ a b "Diana Zubiri delivers touching and hilarious speech". Philippine Entertainment Portal. June 29, 2012. Archived from the original on July 3, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
- ^ "DIANA ZUBIRI, MARAMING BESES NA-REJECT SA AUDITION?!". November 19, 2023 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Numbers". Philippine Daily Inquirer. November 2, 2008. Archived from the original on October 31, 2009. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
- ^ "WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Eat Bulaga! Female Hosts Through the Years". PEP. July 30, 2019.
- ^ "Diana Zubiri: The enchantress in her own Encantadia". GMA News. GMA Network. August 20, 2007. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
- ^ "Diana Zubiri balik Kapuso". Pinoyparazzi (in Filipino). February 7, 2011. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
- ^ "Indie film 'Bahay Bata' wins in France". ABS-CBN News. March 13, 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
- ^ "Diana Zubiri, Desiree Del Valle to team up in new project". ABS-CBN News. July 20, 2024.
- ^ "WATCH: Diana Zubiri and Andrew Smith's wedding video". Rappler. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
- ^ Inquirer, Philippine Daily. "Diana Zubiri's second bliss". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
- ^ "LOOK: Diana Zubiri gives birth to baby girl". ABS-CBN News. August 22, 2016. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
- ^ "LOOK:Diana Zubiri on her simple Aussie life, advice to next gen 'Sang'gres'". Inquirer. January 10, 2024.
- ^ "Diana Zubiri recalls sexy EDSA flyover shoot, sells copy to Boss Toyo". Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 9, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ Nitz Miralles (August 13, 2008). "Diana Zubiri and Iya Villania join Katrina Halili in "One Night Only"". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
- ^ Nora V. Calderon (August 14, 2008). "Diana Zubiri did not replace anyone in "One Night Only," OctoArts insider clarifies". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
- ^ "Diana Zubiri in Singapore, HK, and Thailand". Philippine Entertainment Portal. December 29, 2006. Retrieved July 7, 2008.
- ^ Ashlie Mahinay (September 17, 2014). "Diana Zubiri - FHM Cover Girl September 2014". FHM Philippines. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
- ^ "Diana Zubiri to receive Best Performance award from Young Critics Circle". Philippine Entertainment Portal. June 18, 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
- ^ Mario Bautista (July 3, 2012). "Beauty queen quickly becomes swellhead (see the section BEST ACTRESS FOR RUNNING)". Journal Online. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
External links
[edit]- Diana Zubiri at IMDb
- 1985 births
- Living people
- Converts to Roman Catholicism from Unitarianism
- Filipino film actresses
- Filipino Roman Catholics
- Filipino television actresses
- Former members of Iglesia ni Cristo
- Actresses from Bulacan
- ABS-CBN people
- Star Magic
- GMA Network (company) people
- TV5 Network people
- Filipino female models
- Filipina gravure idols
- Miriam College alumni