Diana Zubiri

Rosemarie Joy Garcia-Smith, better known by her stage name Diana Zubiri (born April 15, 1985 in Bulacan, Philippines), is a Filipino actress. She was discovered by Seiko Films when she was 15 years after applying for work in Japan. She then had sexy roles in various films by Seiko. In October 2002, Zubiri became widely known in the Philippines after posing on the top of the EDSA–Shaw flyover in Mandaluyong City, wearing only a two-piece bikini. That photo shoot for FHM Philippines sparked controversy and prompted the then Mayor of Mandaluyong City, Benhur Abalos, to file charges against Zubiri and FHM but it was later withdrawn after an apology.^[1]

In 2005, Zubiri slowly departed from sexy films and proceeded to become a TV actress in GMA Network. One of her notable roles was portraying Divina in the drama series Linlang and Danaya in the Encantadia fantasy series. She was also a regular cast member in the sketch-comedy program, Bubble Gang and starred in drama series including Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita and Danny Zialcita's Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan?.

In 2012, after nine years of staying at the GMA Network, she transferred to its rival network ABS-CBN and signed a 3-year exclusive contract.^[2] During her younger years, Zubiri applied multiple times at ABS-CBN's Talent Center before going to Japan but she was rejected.^[2]

Biography

Personal life

When Zubiri was eight years old, her father left her and her elder sister.^[3] Her mother at Olongapo, who maintained a sari-sari store, took care of them.^[3] The family later transferred to Fairview, Quezon City and rented a house, where Zubiri stayed during her younger years. Her mother remarried^[3] and bore a child that became Zubiri's stepsister.^[4]

Zubiri was a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo but later converted to Roman Catholicism during her early part of her show business career.^[5] In 2012, it was reported that she studied theatre arts at Miriam College.^[6] On May 10, 2015, Zubiri married her longtime boyfriend Andy Smith in New Manila, Quezon City.^[7][8] They have a daughter named Aliyah Rose born on August 14, 2016.^[9]

Acting career

During her younger years, Zubiri auditioned multiple times at ABS-CBN's talent center but she was rejected.^[2] Then she applied for work as an entertainer in Japan after her unsuccessful ABS-CBN talent audition. Her showbiz career started at the age 15 after returning from Japan. She met Jimmy Mercado, a Seiko Films employee, who was working part-time as an interviewer for wannabe-performers for Japan. In 2001 at the age of 17, she signed her Seiko contract and was launched in 2002 in the sexy film Itlog, opposite Rodel Velayo. She then returned to the Philippines and started to appear in sexy movies such as Bakat and Kasiping.

Later career

After a few sexy flicks, Zubiri became a GMA Network artist, appearing as a regular cast in Bubble Gang, a sketch comedy television program. She also appeared in Encantadia as Danaya, the diwata that holds the Jewel of the Earth. She later reprised that role in Etheria and Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas.

Zubiri co-starred as "Ingrid" on Asian Treasures alongside Angel Locsin, Robin Padilla, and Marvin Agustin. She was also a cast member on GMA Network's Bubble Gang, and previously dated Bubble Gang co-star Wendell Ramos. At this point, Zubiri is now considered a full-fledged TV-movie celebrity and no longer considered a sexy star.^[10] While Zubiri is a contract star of Seiko Films, she signed a contract in Regal Films and she recently appeared in Shake, Rattle & Roll X, an 34th MMFF (Metro Manila Film Festival) entry which included her film One Night Only.

Comeback

After two years of not being in films and on television, Dianna went back on TV via Jillian for GMA Network and starred alongside drama queen Claudine Barretto. On December 31, 2010, Diana has been cast to GMA Network mid-season television pilot Neta Negrita as part of the regular cast member.^[11] In March 2012, Zubiri won the Best Performer Award from the Young Critics Circle for her performance in the film Bahay Bata where she played a nurse. The film itself would go on to win the Jury Prize at the Deauville Asian Film Festival in France, held on March 7–11, 2012.^[12] It was confirmed that Zubiri signed a contract with ABS-CBN and would have a teleserye with Gerald Anderson and Cristine Reyes.^[2] After the expiration of her contract with ABS-CBN, she starred in a number of episodes of Karelasyon that were aired in GMA Network.

In 2016 after Zubiri's showbiz hiatus she returned to GMA Network via the remake of Encantadia as LilaSari, one of the major antagonists.

Filmography

Television

Film

Awards and recognition

FHM ranking

From her first appearance in the magazine in June 2002 as Girls of FHM, six months later she became a cover girl of FHM, when she posed on the EDSA-Shaw Boulevard flyover, she has consistently ranked at FHM Philippines' annual survey (FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World). She has appeared in an FHM Calendar with Maui Taylor of Viva Films and Aubrey Miles of Regal Films. Until 2011, Diana has constantly remained at the top ten of the list. She also appeared in the FHM editions of Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia.^[15] In September 2014 she return to cover FHM for the fourth time, as part of first of four part FHM special, along with Rachel Anne Daquis, Myrtle Sarrosa and Andrea Torres.^[16] For 13 years, Zubiri still included in the list grabbing Rank No. 19, however she not participate at the FHM BroCon event at the SMX Convention Center.

Other awards

On June 27, 2012, Zubiri accepted her Young Critics Circle award for Best Performance at the ceremonies held at the University of the Philippines.^[17][18] After receiving the award, she jokingly said that it is the only award she ever got after her sexy pictorial in FHM since 2002.^[6][17]

References

External links

• Diana Zubiri at the Internet Movie Database