# Francine Diaz

Francine Carrel Saenz Diaz (Tagalog: born January 27, 2004) is a Filipino actress and model. She began her career at age 10, playing minor and supporting roles in a number of television programs as young versions of the lead characters. She rose to prominence after playing Cassandra "Cassie" Mondragon in the series Kadenang Ginto.

## Early life and education

Diaz is the third of the six children of Michael "JM" Diaz and Merdick Saenz. She has two older sisters (Chantal & Cameron), two younger sisters (Cali & Courtney) and one younger brother (Eisa).
She finished senior high school with an ABM strand at Southville International School affiliated with Foreign Universities in 2024.

## Career
### 2014–2018: Early career

Diaz began acting at the age of 10, in minor roles on television. She often portrayed younger versions of characters in various ABS-CBN tele-series. In 2014 she moved to a major role as young Ana Mauricio in the Ipaglaban Mo episode titled "Pagkilala sa Ama", alongside Jennica Garcia with Mylene Dizon. In 2015, she portrayed Young Sari in the drama series Pasión de Amor.
In 2016, she played young Pinang in the noontime drama series, Be My Lady and Anya in the comedy-drama series We Will Survive. She also played Ginny in the drama series The Blood Sisters.

### 2018–2020: Rising popularity, Kadenang Ginto and Gold Squad

In 2018, Diaz played the protagonist, Cassie Mondragon, of ABS-CBN's afternoon television series Kadenang Ginto. The success of Kadenang Ginto led to the founding of a group called "The Gold Squad", a teenage quartet made up of Diaz and fellow actors Kyle Echarri, Andrea Brillantes, and Seth Fedelin.

### 2021–present: Subsequent projects and "FranSeth" love team

In 2021, she played Joy Cruz Cordero in the television series, Huwag Kang Mangamba, along with her fellow "Gold Squad" members. The quartet also became lead cast members in a digital anthology series, Click, Like, Share. Diaz's episode was called "Cancelled" with Renshi de Guzman in the first season. She also appeared in the thriller film Tenement 66 with Francis Magundayao and Noel Comia Jr. which was directed by Rae Red and co-produced by Dreamscape Entertainment. It competed in the 25th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, under the "Bucheon Choice" category in South Korea. Her performance in Tenement 66 earned her the "PinakaPASADONG Katuwang na Aktres" ("Most Awesome Supporting Actress") at the 34th Gawad Pasado Awards.Diaz modeled at Michael Leyva's Enchanted Fashion Show at Hilton Manila in Pasay with Andrea Brillantes. She opened the show in a lilac gown with floral accents.
In 2022, she appeared as the yearly cover girl of Metro magazine, modeling fashion designer Michael Leyva's creations, Preview Ph, Candy Mag - as their First Digital Cover Girl of the Year, Stylish Magazine, Mega Magazine, and Village Pipol Magazine. Diaz starred in the web series Bola-Bola in the episode, "Cook. Feed. Love. Repeat", with Akira Morishita, KD Estrada, and Ashton Salvador. It was announced that Diaz will be reunited with fellow Gold Squad member, Seth Fedelin, for the series Dirty Linen. She also appeared in Zack Tabudlo's music video As You Are. Diaz was ranked ninth in the top Filipino YouTube creator in 2022.
In 2023, the pairing of Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin were tested for the first time with their new drama series Dirty Linen by ABS-CBN and Dreamscape Entertainment in 2023. The loveteam called FranSeth were formed and both of them starred in the series called Fractured with Kaori Oinuma, Jeremiah Lisbo, Daniela Stranner, Raven Rigor, and Sean Tristan. The story is about a group of influencers who finds themselves trapped in a disappointing island resort.
In 2024, Diaz and Seth Fedelin debut in the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival with their first-ever movie together, My Future You. The film received 10 nominations, and won four awards including Best Director, Best Editing, 3rd Best picture, and a Breakthrough Performance for Seth Fedelin in the Gabi Ng Parangal. Diaz also collaborated with Korean artist Seo In-guk for the song "My Love".

## Discography
### Single

| Year | Title | Album | Label |
| 2019 | Pag-Ibig | The Gold Squad Album | Star Music |

### Music videos

| Year | Title | Performed by: | Label |
| 2019 | Pag-Ibig | Francine Diaz | Star Music |
| 2021 | M.U. (Malabong Usapan) (with Jayda Avanzado) | Jayda Avanzado | Star Music |
| 2021 | Di Man Ngayon (with The Gold Squad) | PJ Endrinal | Star Music |
| 2022 | As You Are (AYA) (with Zack Tabudlo) | Zack Tabudlo | UMUSIC Philippines Island Records Philippines |
| 2022 | Muli (with Seth Fedelin & Ace Banzuelo) | Ace Banzuelo | Sony Music Philippines |
| 2023 | Sinehan | Sugarcane | Warner Music Philippines |
| 2024 | Tayo Na Lang (with Seth Fedelin) | Nobita | Sony Music Philippines |

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Production |
| 2019 | Silly Red Shoes | Ashley Magpantay | Main Cast | Dreamscape Entertainment iWantTFC Spring Films |
| 2021 | Tenement 66 | Lea | Main Cast | Dreamscape Entertainment iWantTFC Epic Media |
| 2024 | My Future You | | Main Cast | Regal Entertainment |
| TBA | She Who Must Not Be Named | TBA | Main Cast | TBA |

### TV Series

| Year | Title | Role | Network |
| 2014 | Ipaglaban Mo: Pagkilala sa Ama: Kidney | Young Ana Mauricio | ABS-CBN |
| 2015 | Pasión De Amor | Young Sarita "Sari" Elizondo | ABS-CBN |
| 2016 | Be My Lady | Young Filipina "Pinang" Crisostomo | ABS-CBN |
| 2016 | The Greatest Love | Young Gloria Guerrerro / Tintin Alcantara | ABS-CBN |
| 2017 | Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin | Young Bianca Agbayani | ABS-CBN |
| 2017 | Ipaglaban Mo: Lihim | Letlet | ABS-CBN |
| 2018 | The Blood Sisters | Ginny Ortega Solomon | ABS-CBN |
| 2018 | Ipaglaban Mo: Angkin | Anita's Daughter | ABS-CBN |
| 2018 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Kalabaw | Young Eleonita | ABS-CBN |
| 2018 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Kidney | Young Love | ABS-CBN |
| 2018 | Dok Ricky, Pedia | Young Female Student | ABS-CBN |
| 2018–2020 | Kadenang Ginto | Cassandra "Cassie" Andrada Mondragon | ABS-CBN |
| 2019 | The General's Daughter | Preteen Rhian / Arabella Bonifacio | ABS-CBN |
| 2020 | Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan? | Young Kim Chiu | Kapamilya Channel |
| 2020 | Bawal Lumabas: The Series | Jade Tesoro | IWantTFC, Netflix |
| 2021 | Huwag Kang Mangamba | Joy Cruz Cordero | Kapamilya Channel IWantTFC |
| 2021 | Click, Like, Share: Cancelled | Karen Villagracia | IWantTFC |
| 2022 | Bola Bola | Althea "Thea" Balderama | IWantTFC |
| 2023 | Dirty Linen | Chiara D. Fiero | Kapamilya Channel A2Z TV5 |
| Fractured | Sally | iWantTFC | |
| 2025 | Nobody | TBA | TBA |

### Variety Shows

| Year | Title | Role | Network |
| 2018–present | ASAP Natin 'To | Guest | ABS-CBN |
| 2023 | TV Patrol | Celebrity Star Patroller | Kapamilya Channel A2Z TeleRadyo Serbisyo ANC |
| It's Your Lucky Day | Co-Host | Kapamilya Channel GTV A2Z | |
| 2024 | Fast Talk with Boy Abunda | Guest with Seth Fedelin | GMA Network |
| 2024–2025 | It's Showtime | Guest | Kapamilya Channel A2Z ALLTV GMA Network GTV |

### TV special

| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Network |
| 2021 | Andito Tayo Para Sa Isa't Isa | Herself | ABS-CBN Christmas Special 2021 | Kapamilya Channel |
| 2022 | Tayo Ang Ligaya ng Isa't Isa | Herself | ABS-CBN Christmas Special 2022 | Kapamilya Channel |
| 2023 | Pasko ang Pinakamagandang Kwento | Herself | ABS-CBN Christmas Special 2023 | Kapamilya Channel |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Nominated Work | Result |
| 2018 | 5th Inding-indie Short Film Festival | Gawad Puso ng Sining - Huwarang Aktres sa Telebisyon | Kadenang Ginto | Won |
| 2019 | 5th Alta Media Icon Award | Most Promising Female Star | Kadenang Ginto | Won |
| 2019 | 1st VP Choice Awards | Love Team of the Year (shared with Kyle Echarri) | Kadenang Ginto | Nominated |
| 2019 | Anak TV Awards | Makabata Stars | — | Won |
| 2020 | 2nd VP Choice Awards | Promising Female Star of the Year | | Won |
| 2020 | 2nd VP Choice Awards | Love Team of the Year (shared with Kyle Echarri) | | Won |
| 2020 | 6th RAWR Awards | Love Team of the Year (shared with Kyle Echarri) | | Won |
| 2020 | 51st Box Office Entertainment Award | Most Promising Female Star For Television | Kadenang Ginto | Won |
| 2020 | Edukcircle Awards | Outstanding Social Media Personality of the Year | | Won |
| 2021 | 3rd VP Choice Awards | TV Actress of the Year | Huwag Kang Mangamba | Nominated |
| 2021 | 4th Gawad Lasallianeta | Most Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Filipino Film | Tenement 66 | Nominated |
| 2021 | 6th PUSH Awards | Popular Love Team of the Year (shared with Kyle Echarri) | | Nominated |
| 2022 | 34th Gawad PASADO | PinakaPASADOng Katuwang na Aktres 2021 | Tenement 66 | Won |
| 2022 | 3rd Gawad Balisong | Outstanding Filipino Gamechangers of 2022 | | Nominated |
| 2022 | 7th PUSH Awards | Popular Love Team of the Year (shared with Kyle Echarri) | | Nominated |
| 2023 | Perpetualites' Choice Award 2023 | Best Young Female Media Personality | | Won |
| 2023 | Gawad Pilipino | Outstanding Female Actress on Television of the Year | | Won |
| 2023 | TAG Awards Chicago 2023 | Honorary Inductee, Batch of 2023 (Tag 25 Under 25) | | Won |
| 2023 | Gawad Parangal Awards - 12th KAKAMMPI OFW | Love Team of the Year (shared with Seth Fedelin) | | Won |
| 2023 | Anak TV Award 2023 | Makabata Stars - Female Television Category | | Won |
| 2023 | Anak TV Award 2023 | Net Makabata Stars - Female Online Category | | Won |
| 2023 | 4th Asian Business Excellence Award 2023 | Outstanding Young Actress | | Won |
| 2023 | TikTok Awards PH 2023 | Celebrity Creator of the Year | | Won |
| 2023 | 4th VP Choice Awards | VP Cover of the Year | | Won |
| 2023 | 4th VP Choice Awards | Love Team of the Year (shared with Seth Fedelin) | | Nominated |
| 2023 | Asia's Royalty Awards | Most Admirable and Popular Female Actress of the Year | | Won |
| 2024 | Perpetualites' Choice Awards | Best Young Female Media Personality | | Won |
| 2024 | Anak TV Awards | Net Makabata Stars 2024 | | Won |
| 2024 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Actress | My Future You | Nominated |
| 2024 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Breakthrough Performance | My Future You | Nominated |
| 2025 | Manila International Film Festival | Audience Choice Award for Best Actress | My Future You | Nominated |

### Listicles

| Publisher | Listicle | Year | Result | Ref |
| Preview Magazine | 50 Most Influential for 2022 | 2022 | Included | |