Actor

1978-11-06 · Philippines · Female

7 series in the catalog

Maria Jolina Perez Magdangal-Escueta (Tagalog: [dʒɔˈlina magdɐˈŋal]; born November 6, 1978) is a Filipino singer, actress and television personality. Often referred to as the "Queen of Philippine Pop Culture". She is credited for heavily influencing pop culture in the late 1990s to early 2000s through her colorful fashion statements, camp style and impact on pop music. She has received a selection of accolades, including two FAMAS Awards, seven Box Office Entertainment Awards, an MTV Pilipinas Music Award and a commendation from the Asian Television Award.

At age 11, Magdangal began her career as a member of the singing group 14-K headed by Ryan Cayabyab. She was then launched in the youth oriented Ang TV (1992) and appeared in a number of teen romance productions. She has starred in several blockbusters, mostly in romantic comedies, including FLAMES: The Movie (1997), Kung Ayaw Mo, Huwag Mo!, Labs Kita... Okey Ka Lang? (both in 1998), GIMIK: The Reunion, Hey Babe! (both in 1999), Tunay na Tunay: Gets Mo? Gets Ko! (2000), Kung Ikaw Ay Isang Panaginip (2002), Home Alone Da Riber (2002), and Ouija (2007). Magdangal has also presented several television programs, including Magandang Buhay (2016–2026), one of the longest-running morning shows in the Philippines.

Magdangal is one of the best-selling Filipino artists of all time. Two of her albums, Jolina (1999) and On Memory Lane (2000), rank among the best-selling albums of all time in the Philippines. In 1994, she became the first Filipino artist to sign a recording contract with Walt Disney Records. In 2002, she became the first Filipino artist to perform at the Hula Bowl in Hawaii and the second Filipino artist to hold a concert at the Alex Theatre in California. Magdangal has been involved in charitable works and causes, including Filipino children and youth. In 1998, she was appointed by then Philippine president Joseph Estrada as the national youth advocate. The following year, she worked with then Philippine president Corazon Aquino as the youth spokesperson for The Children’s Hour. In 2002, she worked with then Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as the host of the RPN-9's news magazine show The Working President.

Early life and background

Maria Jolina Perez Magdangal was born on November 6, 1978 in Quezon City to Jun Magdangal and Paulette Perez. Her father worked in the marketing and public relations departments of San Miguel Corporation for two decades before resigning in 1993 to manage Magdangal's career. Her mother worked at the credit section of the Land Bank of the Philippines before handling the finance department of Magdangal's enterprises. Magdangal has two siblings, elder sister Melanie and younger brother Jonathan.

After high school at Colegio de San Lorenzo in Quezon City, Magdangal attended a theater-arts course at the University of the Philippines which was cut short when AMA Computer University offered her a scholarship in Computer Science.

Personal life

In November 2011, Magdangal married Rivermaya's drummer Mark Escueta on a double-wedding ceremony, first on November 19 in a church wedding and the second is on November 21 in a garden wedding. They have two children, Pele Iñigo, born February 18, 2014, and Vika Anaya, born May 28, 2018.

Career

1989-1991: Early work

In 1989, Magdangal had her early beginning at the age of eleven as an entertainer through the singing group 14-K under the supervision and training of Master Composer, Ryan Cayabyab. During those years, she took lessons in singing from Cayabyab, dance from Douglas Nieras, and acting from Gina Alajar and Beverly Vergel.

1992–1999: Breakthrough and stardom

In 1992, Magdangal had her breakthrough when she was discovered by talent manager and film and television director Johnny Manahan while performing with 14K in the weekly late night musical show Ryan Ryan Musikahan. She was then invited by Manahan to guest in the ABS-CBN sitcom Mana, which turned out to be her screen test. After her brief stint in Mana (1992), she made her professional television debut in the youth-oriented program Ang TV where she was featured in musical, sitcom and newscasting segments before she was given her own segment "Payong Kaibigan". Her inclusion as part of the Ang TV was also her launching as one of the pioneer contract artists of ABS-CBN's Talent Center (now Star Magic).

Magdangal's casting in Ang TV led to more television opportunities. Her early shows included the political satire-sitcom Abangan Ang Susunod Na Kabanata, daily noon-time program ‘Sang Linggo nAPO Sila (1995), and as one of the pioneer host-performer of Asia's longest-running musical variety show ASAP (1995). In ASAP, her most notable segments were "Tricykat" and "LSS (Love Songs & Stories)". In 1994, Magdangal was chosen by Walt Disney Records to be its first Filipino recording artist to sing the theme songs of Disney classics Pocahontas (1995) and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (1996) for Philippine promotion. Before that, she appeared in the accompanying soundtrack album for the show Ang TV, where she recorded "Magkaibigang Tunay", the theme song of her segment "Payong Kaibigan".

In 1995, Magdangal appeared in a small role in the film Hataw Na, with Gary Valenciano and Dayanara Torres. The following year, she had her first big role in the Ang TV-spin-off movie Ang TV: The Adarna Adventures, where she played the role of Princess Adarna, the human form of the Filipino mythical singing bird Ibong Adarna.

After recording theme songs that were non-album released and appearing in a couple of compilation albums, Magdangal released her debut album A Wish Comes True in 1996 under Walt Disney Records. The album was praised by critics for containing adventurous repertoire; with David Gonzales of All Music saying "An actress and television personality, has a fine voice that is full of depth and warmth [...] Magdangal has a promising future."

In 1997, Magdangal became known to a wider audience through the film adaptation of the television series F.L.A.M.E.S., and its accompanying soundtrack album where she recorded two original songs, "Sana’y Kapiling Ka" and "Tameme". The album was commercially successful earning her a double platinum. In the movie, she played Leslie, a rich high school student who has a cynical perception of love; who takes it badly when she learns of her classmate Butch's (played by Marvin Agustin) feelings for her. The Marvin-Jolina team later produced successful film and television projects that made them the "most admired, most followed and most loved team ups of their generation". While in Film Development Council of the Philippines's Sine Sandaan, a celebration of the 100th year of Philippine cinema, the tandem was recognized as one of the luminaries under the Love Team Ng Sentenaryo category for their unparalleled contribution and years of hard work for the Philippine cinema. Magdangal appears the major role as Karen Alonzo-Montejo in Esperanza (1997-1998), alongside co-stars Judy Ann Santos, Wowie de Guzman, Marvin Agustin, Angelika dela Cruz and Jericho Rosales.

Magdangal's first major role was in Adarna: The Mythical Bird, the Philippines' first full-length theatrical animated film, released on December 25, 1997 as an entry to the 23rd Metro Manila Film Festival.

Magdangal's next major role was in Kung Ayaw Mo, Huwag Mo! (1998), in which she played the role of Ditas who feels smothered by her loving yet strict sister Doris (played by Maricel Soriano). On working with the Philippine's Diamond Star Maricel Soriano, Magdangal revealed that to be cast alongside her idol is a dream come true for her especially that Soriano is a major influence in her acting career especially in the dramedy genre.

Magdangal's first critical and commercial success in film was the multi-million box office hit and Filipino classic Labs Kita... Okey Ka Lang? (1998), alongside Agustin, where she played Bujoy who fell in love with her best friend, Ned…