# Gina Pareño

Gina Pareño (Tagalog:; born Geraldine Acthley, October 20, 1947) is a Filipino actress. She is referred to as the "Queen of Philippine Melodrama", being best known for her award-winning portrayals in films like Kubrador, Serbis and Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo.
Pareño received international recognition for her portrayal of a bet collector in Kubrador (2006), receiving the Best Actress nods at the Osian Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema and at the Brussels International Independent Film Festival. Pareño also received critical acclaim at home for her performance in Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo (2006), winning Best Supporting Actress at the FAMAS Awards, Film Academy of the Philippines Awards and Metro Manila Film Festival. For her work in Serbis (2008), she became the first Filipino actress to receive an award from the Asian Film Awards. and from the Pacific Meridian International Film Festival.
In a career spanning six decades, Pareño solidified her reputation as one of the Philippines' most gifted actresses. In 2010, she was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 26th PMPC Star Awards for Movies. In 2011, Pareño was also recognized as an Artist of the Decade at the 34th Gawad Urian Awards. In 2021, she was honored with an Icon Award at the 4th EDDYS (Entertainment Editors’ Choice) Awards for her contributions to Philippine cinema.

## Early life

Pareño was born to a German American father, Bouffard Acthleyand a Filipina mother, Patricia Dory Ocura. She had two sons, the eldest passed away and a daughter, Racquel Janica Pareño, who starred with her in “Pahimakas Ng Isang Ahente.”
She grew up in Gagalangin, Tondo, Manila, and studied at Immaculate Conception Academy of Manila. She graduated from Far Eastern University. In the 1960s, she earned selling banana cue at Sampaguita Pictures compound and was also a tricycle driver.

## Career

She started her career in the 1960s as an extra in several films and then later on became one of the artists of Sampaguita Pictures. In 1964, she won in "Dance-O-Rama," contest hosted by Boots Anson-Roa.
In 2006, she gained international recognition for her role in Kubrador (The Bet Collector), for which she won the Best Actress awards at the Osian's Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema and at the Brussels International Independent Film Festival. Pareño also won the Metro Manila Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actress as an outspoken and brash mother in the film Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo and then later on received accolades for the same film and category in the FAMAS Awards as well as the Film Academy of the Philippines Awards in that same year.
Pareño and co-actress Jaclyn Jose were cited in the 61st Cannes Film Festival in 2008 for their performance in Brillante Mendoza's Serbis. The film earned several recognitions including a Best Actress award for Pareño at the 6th Pacific Meridian International Film Festival and an Asian Film Award for Best Supporting Actress.
In her TikTok account, she has 1.7 million followers.

## Political views

In 1986, Pareño campaigned for the reelection of president Ferdinand Marcos in the 1986 snap election.

## Personal life

In the 1990s, she stayed for 18 months in the DARE Drug Rehabilitation Clinic, Manila.
In 2022, Pareño came out as part of the LGBT community.
In a July 17, 2022 YouTube interview with Ogie Diaz, Pareño revealed her intimate partnerhip with Bong Eraña - "Dra. Bong", former actress Nenita Vidal, b. 1940, who starred in the 50s for Puppy Love (1956) and Banda Uno. She further confided that Vidal was a great comfort in her in drug addiction struggle and finally bestowed her house upon demise.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1963 | Sabina | Sulforina | |
| 1963 | Tansan vs. Tarsan | | |
| 1963 | Ang Class Reunion | | |
| 1963 | Mga Kwela sa Eskwela | | |
| 1963 | Ako'y Ibigin Mo, Dalagang Matapang | | |
| 1964 | Leron Leron Sinta | | |
| 1964 | Umibig Ay Di Biro | | |
| 1964 | Mga Batang Bakasyonista | | |
| 1964 | Mga Batang Artista | | |
| 1964 | Mga Bata ng Lagim | | |
| 1964 | Jukebox Jamboree | | |
| 1964 | Mga Batang Milyonaryo | | |
| 1964 | Mga Batang Eskwater | | |
| 1964 | Fighting Waray Sa Ilocos | | |
| 1964 | Sa Bilis, Walang Kaparis | | |
| 1965 | Papa um Mamaw | | |
| 1965 | Isinulat Sa Dugo | | |
| 1965 | Magnificent Bakya | | |
| 1965 | Gintong Recuerdo | | |
| 1965 | Bye-bye Na sa Daddy | | |
| 1966 | Mama | | |
| 1966 | Sa Bawa't Lansangan | | |
| 1966 | Jamboree '66 | | |
| 1966 | Maraming Kulay ng Pag-ibig | | |
| 1967 | Sitting in the Park | | |
| 1967 | Let's Dance the Soul | | |
| 1967 | Way Out in the Country | | |
| 1968 | Kamatayan Ko Ang Ibigin Ka | | |
| 1968 | Donata | | |
| 1968 | May Tampuhan Paminsan Minsan | | |
| 1968 | Dobol Wedding | | |
| 1968 | Dalawang Mukha ng Anghel | | |
| 1968 | Deborah | Deborah | |
| 1968 | Elizabeth | Beth | Nominated—FAMAS Award for Best Actress |
| 1968 | Doon Pa sa Amin | | |
| 1969 | Dugo ng Vampira | | |
| 1969 | Si Darna at ang Planetman | Darna | |
| 1973 | Zoom, Zoom, Superman! | The Ape Monster | |
| 1974 | Napahiya ka, Ano? | | |
| 1974 | Krimen: Kayo ang Humatol | | Nominated—FAMAS Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 1974 | Bawal: Asawa mo, Asawa ko | | |
| 1974 | Kayod sa Umaga, Kayod sa Gabi | | |
| 1974 | Dragon Fire | | |
| 1974 | Ibilanggo Si... Cavite Boy | | |
| 1974 | Daigdig ng Sindak at Lagim | Stella | |
| 1975 | Mag-ingat Kapag Biyuda Ang Umibig | | |
| 1975 | Pagsapit ng Dilim | | |
| 1976 | Tatlong Kasalanan | | |
| 1976 | Magsikap: Kayod sa Araw, Kayod sa Gabi | Nicki | |
| 1982 | Ang Tapang para sa Lahat! | Mirasol | |
| 1984 | Bukas Luluhod Ang Mga Tala | | Nominated—FAMAS Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 1984 | Working Girls | Nimfa Sugcang | Nominated—Gawad Urian Award for Best Actress |
| 1985 | Like Father, Like Son | | |
| 1985 | Sa Totoo Lang! | Purita | |
| 1986 | Ibigay Mo sa Akin ang Bukas | | |
| 1986 | Halimaw sa Banga | | |
| 1988 | Natutulog Pa ang Diyos | Patria | Nominated—FAMAS Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 1988 | Celestina Sanchez, Alyas Bubbles – Enforcer: Ativan Gang | | |
| 1989 | First Lesson | | |
| 1989 | Kung Tapos Na ang Kailanman | | |
| 1990 | Anak ni Baby Ama | | |
| 1994 | The Fatima Buen Story | Frank | Nominated—Gawad Urian Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 1995 | Kirot 2 | | |
| 1995 | Sana Maulit Muli | Lita | |
| 1995 | Mangarap Ka | Lucita | |
| 1996 | May Nagmamahal Sa'yo | Rosing | Nominated—Gawad Urian Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 1996 | Mula Noon Hanggang Ngayon | Rose | |
| 1996 | Radio Romance | Mercedes "Ched" Cordero | |
| 1996 | Sariwa | Christie | |
| 1996 | Magic Temple | Telang Bayawak | Nominated—FAMAS Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 1997 | Ipaglaban Mo: The Movie Part 2 | Loleng | |
| 1997 | Hanggang Kailan Kita Mamahalin | Carmen | |
| 1997 | Babae sa Dalampasigan | | |
| 1997 | Kiliti | | |
| 1997 | Isang Tanong, Isang Sagot | | |
| 1998 | Ikaw Pa Rin ang Iibigin | Doreen Lerma | |
| 1998 | Pagdating ng Panahon | | |
| 1998 | Hiling | Manang Gracia | |
| 1999 | Anak ng Dilim | Pura | |
| 1999 | Hey Babe | Madame Lola | |
| 1999 | Kiss Mo Ko' | Tita Ampy | |
| 1999 | Dito sa Puso Ko | Ligaya's mother | |
| 2001 | Booba | Lola Lulubelle | |
| 2003 | Til' There Was You | Lagring Boborol | |
| 2004 | Bridal Shower | Lourdes | |
| 2004 | Masikip sa Dibdib | Lupe | |
| 2005 | Ang Lagusan | | |
| 2005 | Hari ng Sablay | | |
| 2006 | Wrinkles | | |
| 2006 | Kubrador | Amy | Amiens International Film Festival Award for Best Actress Brussels International Independent Film Festival Award for Best Actress Gawad Urian Award for Best Actress Golden Screen Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Drama) Osian's Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema Award for Best Actress Nominated—FAMAS Award for Best Actress Nominated—Film Academy of the Philippines Award for Best Actress Nominated—Star Awards for Movies for Movie Actress of the Year |
| 2006 | Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo | Belita | FAMAS Award for Best Supporting Actress Film Academy of the Philippines Award for Best Supporting Actress Metro Manila Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actress Star Awards for Movies for Movie Supporting Actress of the Year Nominated—Gawad Urian Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated—Golden Screen Award Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Drama, Musical or Comedy) |
| 2007 | Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo | Belita | Nominated—FAMAS Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated—Film Academy of the Philippines Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated—Golden Screen Award Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Drama, Musical or Comedy) Nominated—Star Awards for Movies for Movie Supporting Actress of the Year |
| 2008 | Ploning | Intang | Nominated—FAMAS Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 2008 | Service | Nanay Flor | Asian Film Award for Best Supporting Actress Pacific Meridian International Film Festival Award for Best Actress Nominated—Gawad Urian Award for Best Actress |
| 2009 | Bakal Boys | | Nominated—Gawad Urian Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 2010 | Working Girls | Nymfa Cajanding | |
| 2010 | Hating Kapatid | Lola Amor | |
| 2010 | Dalaw | Olga | Nominated—FAMAS Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated—Metro Manila Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 2011 | The Adventures of Pureza: Queen of the Riles | Mother Baby | |
| 2012 | Of All the Things | Mommy Susie | |
| 2012 | D' Kilabots Pogi Brothers Weh?! | Sophia Kilabot | |
| 2012 | One More Try | Grace's mother | Nominated—Metro Manila Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 2013 | Alfredo S. Lim (The Untold Story) | Fred's mother | |
| 2018 | Wander Bra | Wander Lola | |
| 2018 | Hintayan ng Langit | Lisang | |
| 2019 | Unforgettable | Lola Olive |
| 2021 | Tililing | Socorro | |
| 2022 | Apag | | |
| 2024 | Lola Barang | | |
| 2024 | And the Breadwinner Is... | | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Network |
| 1987 | Working Girls | — | IBC |
| 1991–2018 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Various roles (31 episodes) | ABS-CBN |
| 1995–1996 | Familia Zaragoza | Doña Benita Zaragoza | ABS-CBN |
| 1999–2001 | Saan Ka Man Naroroon | Maria Jovita "Marita" del Villa | ABS-CBN |
| 1999–2000 | Labs Ko Si Babe | Felipa Escallon | ABS-CBN |
| 2001 | Da Pilya en Da Pilot | — | ABS-CBN |
| 2001–2003 | Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan | Lita Cristobal | ABS-CBN |
| 2001 | Da Body en Da Guard | — | ABS-CBN |
| 2003–2004 | Basta't Kasama Kita | Nanay Ligaya | ABS-CBN |
| 2005 | Mars Ravelo's Darna | Lola Milagros | GMA Network |
| 2007 | Love Spell: Sweet Sixty | Doña Rosing | ABS-CBN |
| 2007 | Ysabella | Trinidad "Trining" Mendoza | ABS-CBN |
| 2007 | Gokada Go! | Ms. Gina | ABS-CBN |
| 2009 | Tayong Dalawa | Rita "Lola Gets" Dionisio | ABS-CBN |
| 2010 | Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo | Petulah "Lola Pet" Crisanto | ABS-CBN |
| 2010–2011 | Mara Clara | Lupe David | ABS-CBN |
| 2011–2012 | My Binondo Girl | Amor Dimaguiba | ABS-CBN |
| 2012–2013 | Lorenzo's Time | Bella "Ate Bel" Nobleza | ABS-CBN |
| 2013 | Toda Max | Gorgonia | ABS-CBN |
| 2013 | Juan dela Cruz | Lola Belen "Loley" Gonzales | ABS-CBN |
| 2013 | Little Champ | Shuning | ABS-CBN |
| 2013 | My Little Juan | Lola Belen "Loley" Gonzales | ABS-CBN |
| 2013 | Wansapanataym: Give Glove on Christmas Day | Cecilia | ABS-CBN |
| 2014 | Honesto | Rosita Layer | ABS-CBN |
| 2014 | Mars Ravelo's Dyesebel | Stella Villamayor | ABS-CBN |
| 2014 | Magpakailanman: Ang Ina na Hindi Malilimutan | Lucing | GMA Network |
| 2014 | Magpakailanman: Henyo ng Bangketa | Lola Baby | GMA Network |
| 2015 | Let the Love Begin | Maria Anastacia "Lola Tacing" Magtanggol | GMA Network |
| 2015 | Magpakailanman: Ang Lolang Mapagbiro | Lola Pina | GMA Network |
| 2015–2016 | The Half Sisters | Lisa Valdicañas | GMA Network |
| 2016 | FPJ's Ang Probinsyano | Maria Olga "Madam Olga" Fernandez | ABS-CBN |
| 2016 | Born for You | Caridad "Caring" Pelayo | ABS-CBN |
| 2017 | Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin | Lydia Villoria | ABS-CBN |
| 2018 | Magpakailanman: May Forever si Lola | Eloisa | GMA Network |
| 2019 | Kara Mia | Corazon | GMA Network |
| 2023 | Mga Lihim ni Urduja | Merly Posadas | GMA Network |

## Awards and nominations
### International awards

Asian Film Awards :
| Year | Nominated work | Category | Result |
| 2009 | Serbis | Best Supporting Actress | Won |
Pacific Meridian International Film Festival :
| Year | Nominated work | Category | Result |
| 2008 | Serbis | Best Actress | Won |
Asian Television Award :
| Year | Nominated work | Category | Result |
| 2007 | Maalaala Mo Kaya - Rehas | Best Actress | Won |
Amiens International Film Festival :
| Year | Nominated work | Category | Result |
| 2006 | Kubrador | Best Actress | Won |
33rd Festival International du Film Indépendant de Bruxelles (Belgium) :
| Year | Nominated work | Category | Result |
| 2006 | Kubrador | Best Actress | Won |
Osian's Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema :
| Year | Nominated work | Category | Result |
| 2006 | Kubrador | Best Actress | Won |

### Philippine awards

FAMAS (Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards) :
| Year | Nominated work | Category | Result |
| 2011 | Dalaw | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
| 2009 | Ploning | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
| 2008 | Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
| 2007 | Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo | Best Supporting Actress | Won |
| 2007 | Kubrador | Best Actress | Nominated |
| 1996 | Magic Temple | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
| 1989 | Natutulog pa ang Diyos | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
| 1985 | Bukas Luluhod Ang Mga Tala | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
| 1975 | Krimen: Kayo ang Humatol | Best Actress | Nominated |
| 1969 | Elizabeth | Best Actress | Nominated |
Luna Awards :
| Year | Nominated work | Category | Result |
| 2008 | Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
| 2007 | Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo | Best Supporting Actress | Won |
| 2007 | Kubrador | Best Actress | Nominated |
Gawad Pasado :
| Year | Nominated work | Category | Result |
| 2007 | Kubrador | Best Actress | Nominated |
| 2008 | Serbis | Best Actress | Nominated |
Gawad Urian :
| Year | Nominated work | Category | Result |
| 2011 | | Best Actress of the Decade | Won |
| 2010 | Bakal Boys | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
| 2009 | Serbis | Best Actress | Nominated |
| 2007 | Kubrador | Best Actress | Won |
| 2007 | Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
| 1997 | May Nagmamahal Sa'yp | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
| 1995 | The Fatima Buen Story | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
| 1985 | Working Girls | Best Actress | Nominated |
GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards :
| Year | Nominated work | Category | Result |
| 2010 | | Global Achievement by a Filipino Artist | Won |
ref:
Golden Screen Awards :
| Year | Nominated work | Category | Result |
| 2008 | Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
| 2007 | Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
| 2007 | Kubrador | Best Actress | Won |
Metro Manila Film Festival :
| Year | Nominated work | Category | Result |
| 2012 | One More Try | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
| 2010 | Dalaw | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
| 2006 | Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo | Best Supporting Actress | Won |
Star Awards for Movies :
| Year | Nominated work | Category | Result |
| 2010 | | Lifetime Achievement Award | Won |
| 2008 | Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
| 2007 | Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo | Best Supporting Actress | Won |
| 2007 | Kubrador | Best Actress | Nominated |