Liza Soberano

Hope Elizabeth "Liza" Soberano (born 4 January 1998)^[1] is a Filipino-American actress and model. She started in a range of television series and films, including Wansapanataym (2011), Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo (2012), She's the One (2013), Must Be... Love (2013). She is known for playing the protagonist Maria Agnes Calay in the hit romantic comedy television series Forevermore (2014–15). Since then, she has taken on starring roles in the films Just The Way You Are, based on the Wattpad book, The Bet, and Everyday I Love You (both 2015). In 2016, she starred as Serena Marchesa in the television series Dolce Amore.

Early and personal life

Soberano was born in Santa Clara, California to a Filipino father, John Castillo Soberano, and an American mother, Jacqulyn Elizabeth Hanley.^[3][4] She was raised in Visalia, California by her paternal grandparents when her parents separated.^[5][6] In 2008 at the age of 10, she moved to Manila, Philippines to live with her father and relatives.^[7]

In her interviews, Soberano said she would like to pursue a degree in psychology as her pre-law or business.^[8][9] But in October 2016, she confirms that she will be studying at Southville International School affiliated with Foreign Universities taking up a course on business administration.^[10]

Soberano is a Roman Catholic, having underwent Christian initiation rites on July 24, 2015.^[11]

Career

At the age of 12, after moving to Manila, she was offered jobs to model for print ads. At the age of 13, a talent scout spotted her and was introduced to Ogie Diaz, who is her current talent manager. Since she could not speak Filipino at the time, her talent manager encouraged her to become fluent in the language so she can land good television and film projects.^[12][1]

Soberano made her acting debut in the fantasy-drama, comedy anthology Wansapanataym (2011). She then had a minor role as Claire Raymundo in the defunct afternoon series Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo (2012). Soberano then played the role of Angel in Must Be... Love, Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo's premier movie. In 2013, she also starred as Gillian in She's the One with Bea Alonzo, Dingdong Dantes and Enrique Gil. A year later in 2014, she joined the primetime television series Got to Believe as Padilla's other love interest.^[13]

Soberano received her first leading role in the romantic comedy television series Forevermore (2014) as strawberry farmer Maria Agnes Calay alongside Enrique Gil, who played Alexander "Xander" Grande III, a hotel company heir who eventually becomes Agnes' love interest. The popularity of Soberano and Gil's pairing as a "love team" known as LizQuen, was considered by Star Cinema and ABS-CBN as the "Breakthrough Love Team of 2015" on Philippine primetime television.^[14][15][16]

Following the success of Forevermore, Soberano starred in the film based on the Wattpad book The Bet. The film adaptation, initially titled as the same name as its source material, and was renamed as Just The Way You Are (2015).^{[17][18][19][20]} In October 2015, the popular love team featuring Soberano and Gil starred in a romantic drama film with actor Gerald Anderson, Everyday, I Love You, directed by Mae Czarina Cruz-Alviar.^[21][22][23]

In February 2016, Soberano starred in the romantic comedy melodrama series Dolce Amore. She portrays Serena Marchesa, a young girl raised in Italy by her adoptive parents. Though she lives a good life, she cannot shake off the feeling that an important part of her identity seems to be missing.^[24]

In August 2016, it was announced that Soberano is signed as the new face of Maybelline.^[25]

In the media

Soberano at Everyday I Love You Thanksgiving press con in November 2015

In 2015 and 2016, she was included in Summit Media's YES! magazine "100 Most Beautiful Stars".^[26][27]

In August 2015, she was included in The Philippine Star Lifestyle "29 Most Bright & Beautiful" list as its 29th anniversary with an exhibit honoring 29 power women, alongside with power brokers, retail royalty, media mavens, stylist and women in the headlines.^[28]

Despite being a relative newcomer to the industry, Soberano has been described by critics as a talented actress. Soberano's performance in the movie Everyday, I Love You received positive reviews from the critics; Peter P. Asilo of the Philippine Daily Inquirer said: "The gorgeously photographed film’s biggest thespic draw is its leading lady: Soberano’s acting choices may need more texture and refinement—but, at only 17, lovely Liza is quickly coming into her own as a fine actress!"^[29] Mario Bautista a columnist, said: "We'll have no reservations in declaring that the prettiest, most refreshing, most captivating young actress at the Kapamilya camp today is Liza Soberano. She proves this in “Everyday I Love You”. Beautiful from any angle, she also acts competently, doing both her madcap as well as her dramatic scenes quite convincingly. "it’s Liza who really stands out in the movie. The camera just loves her and she doesn’t make any false move, whether she’s clowning around or getting to be so emotional. She has an endearing screen presence and palpable charisma that gives her all the K (karapatan) (right) to be considered as ABS-CBN’s next big star. Only 17 years old, she still has a long way to go in her life and career."^[30] while Abby Mendoza of Pep.ph, regarding her performance, said: "it is Liza Soberano who particularly stands out—which isn’t to harp on her beautiful face on screen. She is a natural who displays the right restraint, pleasing to watch all the more since she doesn’t try too hard."^[31]

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

Denotes categories which means an awards given to their fandom "LizQuen".

References

External links

• Liza Soberano at the Internet Movie Database