Hazel Pascual Reyes-Almarinez (born May 9, 1979), known professionally as Ara Mina, is a Filipino actress, singer, endorser, and entrepreneur. Recognized as the "Millennium Goddess",[1] Mina is a recipient of a FAMAS Award for Best Actress, 3 Golden Screen Awards including the 'Dekada Award'[2] and an Asia's Golden Icons Award.[3]
Ara Mina | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Ara Mina in 2019 | |
| Born | Hazel Pascual Reyes May 9, 1979 Marikina, Metro Manila, Philippines |
| Other names | Ara, Dara Mina |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, endorser, entrepreneur and singer |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Agent(s) | Star Magic ABS-CBN GMA Network |
| Political party | Independent (2010) |
| Spouse | Dave Almarinez (m. 2021) |
| Partner | Patrick Meneses (until 2015) |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives |
|
Career edit
Mina became part of the Philippine entertainment industry at 14 years of age via the youth-oriented program That's Entertainment, hosted and spearheaded by the late master showman German Moreno ("Kuya Germs"). Since then, Mina has starred in about 40 television shows and 60 movies and released 3 recording albums. She won her first acting award for Best Actress for the film Mano Po at the Metro Manila Film Festival in 2002. The following year (2003), she received 3 more Best Actress awards from Manila Film Festival, FAMAS and Golden Screen Awards for the movie Ang Huling Birhen sa Lupa. She also won the Golden Screen Awards and Star Awards in 2004 for Best Supporting Actress in a drama in the Philippines for her role as Luna in Minsan Pa.
Mina also sings aside from acting. Her self-titled and first album from Star Music (formerly Star records) which carried the hit song "Ay, Ay, Ay, Pag-Ibig" received a gold record award a few months after its release. Because of this, the record label decided to produce another album for her entitled Heavenly, which was also a big hit and included the track "Oops Teka Lang" which was also the theme song of the film of the same title starring Robin Padilla and Claudine Barretto from Star Cinema. Her version of the Rey Valera hit "Kung Kailangan Mo Ako" was also used as the theme song of the ABS-CBN miniseries Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako. In 2008, she produced her 3rd album which was released under Sony BMG. It consisted of acoustic covers of hit songs like "What Do We Mean To Each Other" by Sergio Mendes, "Somebody" by Depeche Mode, and "Very Special Love" by Maureen McGovern.
She truly showcased versatility by starring in television shows of different genres, from sitcoms to heavy drama. 1999, she starred in her first television sitcom Super Klenk, wherein she played a super heroine. She was then included in the cast of Bubble Gang, which was her longest stint for television. The character that she played in the TV series Mulawin, Vultra, is also remarkable. In 2007, she switched to freelance acting and transferred to ABS-CBN doing projects via Prinsesa ng Banyera and Ligaw na Bulaklak. She returned to GMA Network and did multiple teleseryes for over two years. From 2011-2016, she did stints with TV5 Network but was able to do shows with the Kapuso network through Teen Gen and Yesterday's Bride. Her most recent television stint was for GMA-7's Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa and was also part of the movie My Ex and Whys starring Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano. She staged a teleserye comeback on ABS-CBN in Araw Gabi after doing anthology roles with the channel.
Personal life edit
The eldest of 9 children, she grew up in Marikina with her mother, Francis Marie Klenk, and stepfather, Romeo Reyes. At 18, she met and was acknowledged by her biological father, Chuck Mathay, a former congressman from Quezon City. Actress Cristine Reyes is her half-sister through her mother,[citation needed] while San Juan councilors Cris and Macky Mathay are her half-brothers through her father.
Mina has one child with former Bulakan Mayor Patrick Meneses.[4]
On January 13, 2021, she got engaged to Businessman Dave Almarinez, CEO of the Philippine International Trading Corporation and former Laguna Provincial Board member.[5] They got married in a wedding ceremony in Baguio on June 30 later that year.[6]
Mina supports children with birth defects through the Ara Mina Foundation, which she founded in 2007.[7] Her youngest sister, Princess Klenk was born with Down syndrome, was the inspiration behind this cause.[7]
Filmography edit
This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (December 2021) |
Film edit
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Rollerboys | Susan |
| The Flor Contemplacion Story | Evelyn Contemplacion | |
| 1996 | Init sa Tag-Ulan | |
| Emong Salvacion | Belen | |
| 1997 | Super Ranger Kids | Diabolika |
| Shake, Rattle & Roll VI | Sunny | |
| 1998 | Pahiram Kahit Sandali | Tess |
| Curacha ang Babaeng Walang Pahigna | Marie | |
| Sagid sa Init | Camille/Sara | |
| Tatlo... Magkasalo | Elsie | |
| 1999 | Tatapatan Ko ang Lakas Mo | |
| Kahapon May Dalawang Bata | Salve | |
| Phone Sex | Alma | |
| Alyas Pogi: Ang Pagbabalik | Roselle | |
| Banatan | ||
| 2000 | Palaban | Ruth Jacob |
| Ayos Na... ang Kasunod | Amor | |
| Laro sa Baga | Dee | |
| 2002 | Diskarte | Amanda |
| Two Timer | ||
| Mano Po | Richelle Go | |
| 2003 | Ang Huling Birhen sa Lupa | Lorena |
| Fantastic Man | Helen / Diabolica | |
| Kalabit | Andrea | |
| 2004 | Singles | Raia |
| Minsan Pa | Luna | |
| 2005 | Shake, Rattle and Roll 2k5 | Janice |
| 2007 | Selda | Sita |
| 2008 | Anak ng Kumander | Sandra Regalado |
| Ate | Helen | |
| 2011 | Tumbok | Rita |
| Shake, Rattle and Roll 13 | Beth | |
| 2013 | Menor de Edad | Edna |
| Alfredo S. Lim (The Untold Story) | Mrs. Gameng | |
| 2016 | Girlfriend for Hire | Auntie Melba |
| 2017 | My Ex and Whys | Dolly |
| This Time I'll Be Sweeter | ||
| 2019 | Unforgettable | Dahlia |
| 2021 | Paglaki Ko, Gusto Kong Maging Pornstar | herself |
| 2021 | Pornstar 2: Pangalawang Putok | herself |
| 2022 | The Entitled | Matilda |
| Katok | Romina | |
| TBA | Mamay: The Great Man of Nunungan, Lanao del Norte[8] |
Television edit
| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992–1996 | That's Entertainment | Herself / Regular | GMA Network |
| 1998–2007 | Bubble Gang | Herself / Regular | |
| 1999–2000 | Super Klenk[9] | Klenk | |
| 2000–2001 | Kiss Muna | Ara | |
| 2002–2003 | Kung Mawawala Ka | Lucinda Montemayor | |
| 2004 | Te Amo, Maging Sino Ka Man | Destiny | |
| 2004–2005 | Mulawin | Vultra / Violeta / Veronica | |
| 2005 | Mars Ravelo's Darna | Dyesebel | |
| 2006 | Magpakailanman | ||
| 2007 | Lupin | Sister Anna Nicole | |
| 2007–2008 | Prinsesa ng Banyera | Cassandra Ynares / Elena | ABS-CBN |
| 2008 | Ligaw na Bulaklak | Janet / Jennifer Alegro | |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya: Dagat | Leah | ||
| 2009 | Carlo J. Caparas' Totoy Bato[10] | Elena Magtanggol | GMA Network |
| Sine Novela: Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin?[11] | Glacilda Bautista | ||
| 2009–2010 | Sine Novela: Tinik Sa Dibdib | Trixie Veneracion-Marquez / Trixie Domingo | |
| 2010 | Ilumina | Elsa Sebastian | |
| 2011 | Untold Stories Mula sa Face to Face | TV5 | |
| Ang Utol Kong Hoodlum | Rhea Bustillos | 5 | |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya: Tulay | Ester | ABS-CBN | |
| 2012 | P. S. I Love You | Cassandra | TV5 |
| 2012–2013 | Yesterday's Bride | Josilda "Josie" Ramirez | GMA Network |
| 2013 | Magpakailanman: The Wally Bayola Story | Riza | |
| Teen Gen | Violeta "Violet" Bernardo-Torres | ||
| The Gift | Theresa | TV5 | |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya: Drawing | Shirley | ABS-CBN | |
| Wansapanataym: Dolly Daldal | Lisa | ||
| Maalaala Mo Kaya: Double Bass | Liezel | ||
| 2014 | Wansapanataym: Enchanted House | Dorothy Barin | |
| Trenderas | Diane San Miguel | TV5 | |
| 2015 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Sanggol | ABS-CBN | |
| 2016 | Ipaglaban Mo: Kasambahay | Veronica | |
| Tasya Fantasya | Yvonne | TV5 | |
| Pepito Manaloto | Gina | GMA Network | |
| Karelasyon | Lorraine | ||
| Dear Uge | Sylvia Mercado | ||
| 2017 | Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa | Mariz Alejo-Zimmerman | |
| Ipaglaban Mo!: Pagkakasala | Linda | ABS-CBN | |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya: Kakanin | Gina | ||
| Mulawin vs. Ravena | Vultra / Violeta / Veronica (archived footage only) | GMA Network | |
| 2018 | Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Araw Gabi | Harriet De Alegre / Amanda Rodriguez | ABS-CBN |
| 2019 | Ipaglaban Mo: Pariwara | Doray | |
| 2020–2022 | FPJ's Ang Probinsyano | Ellen Padua | ABS-CBN / A2Z / Kapamilya Channel |
| 2021 | Bella Bandida | Alas | TV5 |
| 2022 | Tadhana: Isabella | Rhea Bermudez | GMA Network |
| Barangay PIE Silog Sunday: Pasok Mga Suki | Herself, featured celebrity entrepreneur | PIE Channel | |
| 2023 | Magandang ARAw | Herself | NET 25 |
| Jack and Jill sa Diamond Hills | Cleo Maharlika | TV5 | |
| 2024 | Lovers & Liars | Elizabeth Laurente | GMA Network |
Awards and nominations edit
| Year | Award-Giving Body | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Awards | Popular Princess of RP Movies | Won | ||
| 2000 | Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Awards | Most Promising Female Singer | Won | ||
| 2002 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Actress | Mano Po | Won | [12] |
| 2003 | Manila Film Festival | Best Actress | Ang Huling Birhen Sa Lupa | Won | |
| Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Awards | Ms. RP Movies | Mano Po | Won | ||
| Golden Screen Awards | Best Actress | Ang Huling Birhen Sa Lupa | Won | ||
| 2004 | Golden Screen Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Minsan Pa | Won | |
| 52nd FAMAS Awards | Best Actress | Ang Huling Birhen Sa Lupa | Won | ||
| 20th PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Best Actress | Ang Huling Birhen sa Lupa | Nominated | ||
| 2005 | 21st PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Best Supporting Actress | Minsan Pa | Won | |
| 19th PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Drama Actress | Mulawin | Nominated | ||
| 2007 | 24th PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Movie Supporting Actress of the Year | Selda | Nominated |
Discography edit
- Ara Mina (1999, Star Music)
- Heavenly (2001, Star Music)
References edit
- ^ "Ara Mina, ini-reveal kung sino ang original na aktres ng kanyang award-winning role". PEP.ph. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
- ^ "WINNERS: 10th Golden Screen Awards". RAPPLER. April 27, 2013. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
- ^ "1st Asia's Golden Icons Award 2022 set on June 28 – Manila Bulletin". mb.com.ph. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
- ^ "Ara Mina gives birth to baby girl". ABS-CBN News. December 18, 2014. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
- ^ Gonzales, Cathrine (January 13, 2021). "Ara Mina now engaged to PITC CEO Dave Almarinez". INQUIRER.net.
- ^ Eusebio, Aaron Brennt (July 1, 2023). "Ara Mina is now married to Dave Almarinez". GMA Entertainment. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ^ a b "Ara Mina to hold fund raising event for children with down syndrome". Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ Antonio, Lou Ellen (March 18, 2023). "Life of Nunungan mayor to be featured in a biopic film". Philippine Information Agency. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
- ^ "Obsessed with weight". Philippine Daily Inquirer. The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. January 23, 2000. p. B6. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
Right after Bitoy's 'Bilibkaba' is Ara Mina's new fantasy-comedy 'Super Klenk,' on its new timeslot at 7:30 p.m.
- ^ "Sunshine Dizon is not looking for love but is positive it will come". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
- ^ "Journal Online | Daily news from the Philippines". Journal Online.
- ^ "Metro Manila Film Festival:2002". IMDb. Retrieved April 9, 2014.