# Dawn Zulueta

Marie Rachel Salman Taleon-Lagdameo (born March 4, 1969), known professionally as Dawn Zulueta (Tagalog pronunciation:), is a Filipino actress, host and commercial model. She was recognized as the only Filipino actor to win two different major accolades in acting categories in a single year when she won Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress in the 1992 FAMAS Awards. She also appeared in Manila Standard's Top 10 Filipina actresses of the 1990s list of 1999.

## Career

Zulueta was spotted in a Close-Up television commercial in 1986 opposite Tonton Gutierrez. She then started her film career in Nakagapos na Puso (1986) alongside Sharon Cuneta and Lorna Tolentino. She also had roles in television series like Okay Ka, Fairy Ko! (1995–1997) as the lead character's wife, drama series Davao (1990), and became a regular female co-host on the musical variety show GMA Supershow (1989).
She branched out hosting other musical-variety shows like The Dawn and Jimmy Show (1989) and RSVP (1990). During the early years of her career, she was cast in comedy films like Bondying (1988) starring Jimmy Santos, and Alyas Batman en Robin (1991) with Joey de Leon and Keempee de Leon. Zulueta's played the lead opposite Richard Gomez in the romantic drama Hihintayin Kita sa Langit (1991) playing ill-fated lovers.
Zulueta holds the distinction of winning both the FAMAS Awards for Best Lead Actress (Hihintayin Kita sa Langit) and Best Supporting Actress (Una Kang Naging Akin) in 1992, making her the only Filipino actor to ever to win two different major accolades in acting categories in a single year. She also won a Luna Award as Supporting Actress of the Year for the film Una Kang Naging Akin. In 1994, Zulueta received the Box Office Entertainment Award for Box Office Queen for the film The Maggie Dela Riva Story...God Why Me?
In 1993, Zulueta received two Best Actress awards from the Metro Manila Film Festival and FAMAS. In 1994, the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards for Movies for Buhay ng Buhay Ko. Further, she has received multiple nominations (for both lead and supporting roles) from the prestigious Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP) Gawad Urian.
In 1996, Zulueta starred with Sheryl Cruz and Charlene Gonzales in the hit drama-vengeance film Ikaw Naman Ang Iiyak for Viva Films in a lead role as Elaine, which became a career booster as a lead actress. In the same year, Zulueta was cited in a Manila Times article as the 10th Best Filipino Actress from 1990 to 1996. In addition, a 1999 Manila Standard article named her as one of the Top 10 Actresses of the 1990s.
In 2010, Zulueta took the lead role in a stage musical, A Little Night Music. In 2011, she made a comeback television show the remake of Mula sa Puso, which she's plays Magda, who originally played by Jaclyn Jose.
In 2012, ABS-CBN launched Walang Hanggan which starred Zulueta, Gomez, Coco Martin, and Julia Montes. The show was noted to be a reboot of the Gomez-Zulueta film Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit.
She also portrayed the lead character's older version in the 2014 film, She's Dating the Gangster where she acted opposite Gomez, along with lead stars Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla. She then played another lead role in the drama The Love Affair in 2015 under the direction of Nuel C. Naval and a screenplay by Vanessa R. Valdez.
Opposite Gomez, Zulueta played Marian Fontanilla in the 2015–2016 soap opera, You're My Home. The show became her and Gomez's last collaboration up to date.
In 2016, Zulueta worked with Piolo Pascual and Coleen García in Love Me Tomorrow as directed by Gino M. Santos. Gomez also made a special appearance in the film. In the same year, Zulueta played as first lady Marissa Hidalgo in Ang Probinsyano. Her appearance on the show became a reunion project for her, and colleagues Martin, Edu Manzano, and Alice Dixson.
She played as Andrea Balatbat, a character opposite Vic Sotto's in the 2017 OctoArts movie, Meant to Beh.
Zulueta played the character of May Dela Cruz in the 2019 drama Family History.

## Personal life

She is of Palestinian descent. Her maternal grandfather, George Anton Salman, was a Palestinian-Arab who came to the Philippines after the Second World War.
She is married to Antonio Lagdameo, Jr. They have two children namely Jacobo Antonio (born 2005), and Ayisha Madlen (born 2009).

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Producer |
| 1986 | Nakagapos Na Puso | Meldy | Viva Films |
| 1988 | One Day, Isang Araw | | Regal Films |
| 1988 | Paano Tatakasan ang Bukas | | Viva Films |
| 1989 | Mars Ravelo's Bondying: The Little Big Boy | Flora | Viva Films |
| 1989 | Bakit Iisa Lamang ang Puso | Diana | Viva Films |
| 1989 | Hindi Pahuhuli ng Buhay | Helena | Viva Films |
| 1989 | Isang Bala, Isang Buhay | Dolores | Viva Films |
| 1990 | Pangarap Na Ginto | Daisy | Viva Films |
| 1990 | Kasalanan Bang Sambahin Ka? | Grace | Viva Films |
| 1991 | Alyas Batman en Robin | Angelique Legarda / Wonder Woman | Regal Films |
| 1991 | Una Kang Naging Akin | Vanessa | Viva Films |
| 1991 | Hihintayin Kita sa Langit | Carmina Salvador | Reyna Films |
| 1992 | Iisa Pa Lamang | Clara | Regal Films |
| 1992 | Akin Ang Pangarap Mo | Alita | Viva Films |
| 1992 | Apoy sa Puso | | Viva Films |
| 1992 | Hanggang May Buhay | Kristie | Bonanza Films |
| 1993 | Saan Ka Man Naroroon | Amanda | Reyna Films |
| 1993 | Paniwalaan Mo | Loren | OctoArts Films |
| 1993 | Kung Mawawala Ka Pa | Marisa | Reyna Films |
| 1994 | Buhay ng Buhay Ko | | Regal Films |
| 1994 | Chinatown 2: The Vigilantes | | Four-N Films |
| 1994 | The Cecilia Masagca Story: Antipolo Massacre (Jesus Save Us!) | Cecilia Masagca | Viva Films |
| 1994 | The Maggie Dela Riva Story (God ... Why Me?) | Maggie Dela Riva | Viva Films |
| 1994 | Sana'y Laging Magkapiling | Maria Makiling | Seiko Films |
| 1994 | Lagalag: The Eddie Fernandez Story | Dulce Lukban | Star Cinema |
| 1994 | Wanted Perfect Father | Lily | Star Cinema |
| 1995 | Anabelle Huggins Story: Ruben Ablaza Tragedy – Mea Culpa | Annabelle Huggins | Viva Films |
| 1995 | Patayin Sa Sindak Si Barbara | Ruth Duarte | Star Cinema |
| 1996 | Itataya Ko ang Buhay Ko | Andrea | Seiko Films |
| 1996 | Lahar: Paraisong Abo | Sheila | Star Cinema |
| 1996 | Bakit May Kahapon Pa? | Leah | Viva Films |
| 1996 | Ikaw Naman ang Iiyak | Elaine | Viva Films |
| 1996 | Salamat sa Lotto | | Golden Lions Films |
| 1997 | To Saudi with Love | | Premiere Productions |
| 2003 | Filipinas | Gloria Filipinas | Viva Films |
| 2008 | Magkaibigan | Teresa | Maverick Films |
| 2010 | Sigwa | Dolly | Cinemalaya |
| 2011 | Catch Me, I'm in Love | Elena Rodriguez | Star Cinema |
| 2012 | Ang Nawawala | Esme Bonifacio | Cinemalaya |
| 2014 | She's Dating the Gangster | adult Athena Dizon | Star Cinema |
| 2015 | The Love Affair | Patricia "Tricia" Ramos | Star Cinema |
| 2016 | Love Me Tomorrow | Christy Domingo-Gonzales | Star Cinema |
| 2017 | Meant to Beh | Andrea Balatbat | OctoArts Films |
| 2019 | Family History | May | GMA Pictures |

### Television / Digital series

| Year | Title | Role | Network |
| 1988–1997 | GMA Supershow | Herself/co-host | GMA Network |
| 1989 | The Dawn and Jimmy Show | Host | IBC |
| 1992 | Davao: Ang Gintong Pag-asa | | RPN |
| 1994 | Star Drama Theater Presents: Dawn | various roles | ABS-CBN |
| 1995–1997 | Okay Ka, Fairy Ko! | Faye | GMA Network |
| 1997–2003 2007–2016 | ASAP | Co-Host/Performer | ABS-CBN |
| 2001–2002 | The Price Is Right | Herself/host | ABC |
| 2004–2005 | Forever in My Heart | Stella Carbonel | GMA Network |
| 2005 | Encantadia | Ynang Reyna Mine-a | GMA Network |
| 2006 | Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas | Ynang Reyna Mine-a | GMA Network |
| 2006 | Now and Forever: Duyan | Adea | GMA Network |
| 2007–2008 | Mars Ravelo's Lastikman | Ruth Abelgas | ABS-CBN |
| 2008 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Sulat | Malou | ABS-CBN |
| 2009 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Tsinelas | Lina Simples | ABS-CBN |
| 2011 | Mula sa Puso | Magdalena "Magda" Trinidad-Pereira | ABS-CBN |
| 2012 | Walang Hanggan | Emilia "Emily" Cardenas-Guidotti | ABS-CBN |
| 2012 | Toda Max | SPO3 Emily Mapaginitan | ABS-CBN |
| 2013 | Binibining Pilipinas 2013 | Herself/Main Host | ABS-CBN |
| 2013 | Minute to Win It | Herself/Celebrity Contestant | ABS-CBN |
| 2013 | Bukas na Lang Kita Mamahalin | Zenaida Dizon / Zenaida Ramirez | ABS-CBN |
| 2014 | Mars Ravelo's Dyesebel | Lucia Reyes | ABS-CBN |
| 2015 | Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal | Herself/Celebrity Player | ABS-CBN |
| 2015–2016 | You're My Home | Marian Angeles-Fontanilla | ABS-CBN |
| 2017 | The Lolas' Beautiful Show | Herself/Special guest | GMA Network |
| 2017 | Bossing & Ai | Herself/Special guest | GMA Network |
| 2017 | Eat Bulaga! | Herself | GMA Network |
| 2017 | Sunday PinaSaya | Herself | GMA Network |
| 2018 | FPJ's Ang Probinsyano | Marissa Hidalgo | ABS-CBN |
| 2019 | Pepito Manaloto | Elma | GMA Network |
| 2022 | A Family Affair | Carolina "Carol" Estrella | Kapamilya Channel / A2Z / TV5 |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award-Giving Body | Category | Work | Result |
| 1990 | FAMAS Awards | Best Actress | Bakit Iisa Lamang ang Puso | Nominated |
| 1991 | Gawad Urian Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Kasalanan Bang Sambahin Ka? | Nominated |
| 1992 | Gawad Urian Awards | Best Actress | Hihintayin Kita sa Langit | Nominated |
| 1992 | FAMAS Awards | Best Actress | | Won |
| 1992 | FAMAS Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Una Kang Naging Akin | Won |
| 1992 | Luna Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Una Kang Naging Akin | Won |
| 1993 | 19th Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Festival Actress | Kung Mawawala Ka Pa | Won |
| 1993 | Gawad Urian Awards | Best Actress | Iisa Pa Lamang | Nominated |
| 1993 | FAMAS Awards | Best Actress | Iisa Pa Lamang | Nominated |
| 1994 | FAMAS Awards | Best Actress | Kung Mawawala Ka Pa | Won |
| 1995 | 25th GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Box-Office Queen | The Maggie Dela Riva Story | Won |
| 1995 | Star Awards for Movies | Actress of the Year | Buhay ng Buhay Ko | Won |
| 1995 | FAMAS Awards | Best Actress | The Cecilia Masagca Story: Antipolo Massacre (Jesus Save Us!) | Nominated |
| 2009 | Golden Screen Awards for Movies | Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Drama) | Magkaibigan | Nominated |
| 2009 | FAMAS Awards | Best Actress | | Nominated |
| 2010 | 24th PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Single Performance by an Actress | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Tsinelas | Nominated |
| 2011 | Golden Screen Awards for Movies | Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Drama) | | Nominated |
| 2011 | ASAP Pop Viewers' Choice Awards | Pop Female Fashionista | Magazine Category | Won |
| 2012 | 26th PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Drama Actress | Walang Hanggan | Nominated |
| 2013 | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | All Time Favorite Love Team on Movies and TV (with Richard Gomez) | Walang Hanggan | Won |
| 2013 | Golden Screen TV Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Drama Series | Walang Hanggan | Nominated |
| 2014 | 28th PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Drama Actress | Bukas na Lang Kita Mamahalin | Nominated |
| 2015 | 63rd FAMAS Awards | Best Supporting Actress | She's Dating the Gangster | Nominated |
| 2015 | 41st Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Actress | Meant to Beh | Nominated |
| 2016 | Gawad PASADO Awards | Pinakapasadong Aktres | The Love Affair | Won |
| 2016 | 32nd PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Movie Actress of the Year | The Love Affair | Nominated |
| 2016 | FAMAS Awards | Best Actress | The Love Affair | Nominated |
| 2016 | 30th PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Drama Actress | You're My Home | Nominated |