Irma Santonil Adlawan (born March 7, 1962) is a Filipino

stage Stage or stages may refer to: Acting * Stage (theatre), a space for the performance of theatrical productions * Theatre, a branch of the performing arts, often referred to as "the stage" * ''The Stage'', a weekly British theatre newspaper * Sta ...

, television and film actress. She is dubbed as the “''Queen of Independent Cinema''” for her acting prowess and exceptional contribution to Philippine film industry. Adlawan is a

FAMAS Award The Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (also known as the FAMAS Awards) are the annual honors given by the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS), an organization composed of award-winning writers and movie columni ...

winner. She won "Best Actress" at the 9th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. In 2016, she won another "Best Actress" trophy at the

Metro Manila Film Festival The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is an annual film festival held in Metro Manila, Philippines. The festival, which runs from December 25 (Christmas) through New Year's Day and into first weekend of January in the following year, focuses on ...

, winning against the Superstar Nora Aunor. The same year, she won "Outstanding Female Lead Performance in a Play" at the 8th Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards. Her performance in the MMK episode “Passport” was met with acclaims and praises from both critics and viewers, winning "Best Actress in a Single Drama Performance" at the 9th EdukCircle Awards. In 2020, she participated among the five entries for the European Philippine International Film Festival (EPIFF).

Biography

Early life

Adlawan was born in Tondo,

Manila Manila ( , ; fil, Maynila, ), officially the City of Manila ( fil, Lungsod ng Maynila, ), is the capital of the Philippines, and its second-most populous city. It is highly urbanized and, as of 2019, was the world's most densely populate ...

, the daughter of Conrada Santonil, a housewife, and Pedro Adlawan, a retired colonel. She attended St. Mary Magdalene School in Cavite and became a student of Speech and Drama at the University of the Philippines–Diliman, having transferred from its

campus."Adlawan, Irma." ''CCP Encyclopedia of Art''. Vol. 8. 1994. 253. Print.

Career

Her first stage role was Helena from

Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

's '' A Midsummer Night's Dream'', which she performed for Dulaang UP in 1983 under the direction of its founder, Tony Mabesa. He had asked her to audition, and she was subsequently cast. From then on she had become a regular of Dulaang UP, starring in productions such as

Chekhov Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (; 29 January 1860 Old Style date 17 January. – 15 July 1904 Old Style date 2 July.) was a Russian playwright and short-story writer who is considered to be one of the greatest writers of all time. His career ...

's '' Three Sisters'', Betti's ''The Queen and the Rebels'',

Fay A fairy (also fay, fae, fey, fair folk, or faerie) is a type of mythical being or legendary creature found in the folklore of multiple European cultures (including Celtic, Slavic, Germanic, English, and French folklore), a form of spirit, o ...

and

Michael Kanin Michael Kanin (February 1, 1910 – March 12, 1993) was an American film director, director, film producer, producer, playwright and screenwriter who shared an Academy Awards, Academy Award with Ring Lardner Jr. for writing the Katharine Hepburn-S ...

's ''Rashomon'', and

Molière Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (, ; 15 January 1622 (baptised) – 17 February 1673), known by his stage name Molière (, , ), was a French playwright, actor, and poet, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the French language and world ...

's ''

The Misanthrope ''The Misanthrope, or the Cantankerous Lover'' (french: Le Misanthrope ou l'Atrabilaire amoureux; ) is a 17th-century comedy of manners in verse written by Molière. It was first performed on 4 June 1666 at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal, Paris b ...

'', as well as a multitude of other plays. After UP, Adlawan became a member of

Tanghalang Pilipino Tanghalang Pilipino (''Philippine Theater'') is the leading exponent of Philippine theater and the resident drama company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines since its organization in 1987. It has successfully presented hundreds of production ...

's Actors Company from 1991 to 1998, performing in numerous stage plays. Some of her most notable roles include a Chinese film producer, based on Regal Films matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde in Dennis Marasigan's ''Ang Buhay Ay Pelikula''; Zafira in

Francisco Balagtas Francisco Balagtas y de la Cruz (April 2, 1788 – February 20, 1862), commonly known as Francisco Balagtas and also as Francisco Baltasar, was a Filipino Tagalog litterateur and poet during the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. He is ...

' ''Orosman at Zafira''; Sisa in the Cayabyab- Lumbera musical adaptation of José Rizal's '' Noli Me Tangere''; and Teodora Alonso in Nonon Padilla and Rene O. Villanueva's ''Teodora''. For ''Buhay Ay Pelikula'' she was cited as Best Actress of the Year by the Young Critics Circle in 1992, while for ''Teodora'' her performance as the mother of Philippine hero José Rizal was praised by

National Artist National Artist is an honorary title issued by some states as a highest recognition of artists for their significant contributions to the cultural heritage of the nation. An equivalent title, People's Artist, has been known in countries of the f ...

for Dance Leonor Orosa-Goquingco for " ccomplishingher histrionic feat, her splendid tour de force ith such ease, passion, range, verisimilitude and transparency" Some of Adlawan's early mainstream film roles include a victim of incestuous rape in

Jeffrey Jeturian Jeffrey Jeturian (born November 4, 1959) is a Filipino director and production designer for both television and film. Jeturian won the Gawad Urian Best Director Award in 2007 for the film ''The Bet Collector, Kubrador''. He studied Broadcasting C ...

's ''Tuhog'' in 2001 and a public school teacher in ''

Mga Munting Tinig ''Small Voices'' or ''Mga Munting Tinig'' is a 2002 Filipino drama film directed by Gil Portes and Adolfo Alix, Jr. The film set in a public school won 11 awards and was nominated for 11 other including Gawad Urian Awards. It is the only Filipi ...

'' in 2002, both of which earned her a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the

Gawad Urian Award The Gawad Urian Awards are annual film awards in the Philippines held since 1977. It is given by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP, "the Filipino Film Critics") and is currently regarded as the counterpart of the United States' New York Fi ...

s."Actors.
Mga Pusang Gala
n.d. Web. 15 Jan. 2015. Three years later, in 2005, during the advent of digital cinema, she starred in three independent films: ''ICU Bed #7'', where she played

Eddie Garcia Eduardo Verchez Garcia (; May 2, 1929 – June 20, 2019), known colloquially as Manoy, was a Filipino actor, television personality, film director and producer. With almost 600 film and television roles and a career spanning seven decades, he ...

's daughter; ''Sa North Diversion Road'', which had been adapted for film and had her reprising her role from mid-90s theatre alongside

John Arcilla Romeo Gonzales Arcilla (born June 24 1966), professionally known as John Arcilla, is a Filipino actor and environmentalist. He won Best Actor at the 78th Venice International Film Festival for his performance in '' On the Job: The Missing 8 ...

, where they played 10 different couples dealing with infidelity; and ''Mga Pusang Gala'', based on the

Palanca Palanca may refer to: People * Bernard Palanca (born 1976), Filipino actor *Massimo Palanca (born 1953), Italian footballer * Mico Palanca (1978–2019), Filipino actor * Miguel Palanca (born 1987), Spanish footballer Places * Palanca, Huíla, ...

award-winning screenplay by Rody Vera and Jun Lana, where she played the role of Marta, a single middle-aged advertising practitioner. She received Best Actress nods for her performances in ''Sa North'' and ''Mga Pusang Gala''. She continued to act in indies, playing lead and supporting roles from 2006 onwards. Her performance as Aling Carmen in ''Ataul: For Rent'' in 2007 earned her a FAMAS Best Supporting Actress award. Her early television credits include appearances in Cecile Guidote-Alvarez's ''Balintataw'', Behn Cervantes' ''Angkan'', and

Mario O'Hara Mario Herrero O'Hara (April 20, 1946 – June 26, 2012) was a Filipino film director, film producer and screenwriter known for his sense of realism often with dark but realistic social messages.Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan'', ''

Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay ''Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay'' (International title: ''The Long Wait'' / ) is a Philippine soap opera, produced by ABS-CBN and Star Cinema. It started on July 8, 2002 and ended on November 14, 2003, replacing ''Your Honor''. The critically-acclaime ...

'', ''

Mga Anghel na Walang Langit ''Mga Anghel na Walang Langit'' (International title: ''Angels Without a Heaven'') is a Philippine drama television series from May 9, 2005 to February 24, 2006 on ABS-CBN's ''Primetime Bida'' replacing ''Spirits'' and was replaced by ''Sa Piling ...

'', and ''

Encantadia ''Encantadia'' is a Philippines, Filipino fantasy franchise produced and published by GMA Network. It consists of four television series that have run from 2005 to present and a single film. The first was shown in 2005 carrying the title alone ...

''. In 2006, she was cast in the recurring role of Imelda Magsaysay, the mother of Celine Magsaysay (played by

Anne Curtis Anne Curtis-Smith(; born 17 February 1985) is a Filipino-Australian actress, model, television host, entrepreneur and recording artist. She is dubbed as the "''Multimedia Superstar''" for her talent and influence. Curtis has received numerou ...

), in the highly successful

ABS-CBN ABS-CBN (an initialism of its two predecessors' names, Alto Broadcasting System and Chronicle Broadcasting Network) is a Television in the Philippines, Philippine Commercial broadcasting, commercial broadcast broadcast network, network tha ...

teleserye,

Maging Sino Ka Man ''Maging Sino Ka Man'' (International title: ''More Than Love'' / ) is a 2006 Philippine melodrama romantic television series directed by FM Reyes Romilla Balmaceda and Mae Czarina Cruz-Alviar. The series stars John Lloyd Cruz, Bea Alonzo, Anne ...

. Her other TV credits include Clara Rivero in Lobo, Margarita Fortalejo-Cervantes in '' Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Kristine'' in 2010, Mantal in '' Amaya'' in 2011, and numerous guest appearances in

and

GMA Network GMA Network (Global Media Arts or simply GMA) is a Philippine free-to-air television and radio network. It is the flagship property of publicly traded GMA Network, Inc. Its first broadcast on television was on October 29, 1961. GMA Network (f ...

's respective drama anthologies, '' Maalaala Mo Kaya'' and ''

Magpakailanman ''Magpakailanman'' ( en, Forevermore) is a Philippine television drama anthology show broadcast by GMA Network. Hosted by Mel Tiangco, it premiered on December 2, 2002. The show concluded on December 27, 2007. It was replaced by the '' E.S.P.'' ...

''. While regularly appearing in teleseryes and acting in independent films, Adlawan continued to perform on the stage, and in 2008 she was inducted into the Aliw Awards Hall of Fame for her three Best Stage Actress wins in ''100 Hundred Songs of Mary Helen Fee'', ''Speaking in Tongues'', and ''Ang Pokpok ng Ohio''. That same year, she starred in

's production of

David Henry Hwang David Henry Hwang (born August 11, 1957) is an American playwright, librettist, screenwriter, and theater professor at Columbia University in New York City. He has won three Obie Awards for his plays '' FOB'', '' Golden Child'', and '' Yell ...

's ''The Golden Child'' and alternated with Missy Maramara as

Desdemona Desdemona () is a character in William Shakespeare's play ''Othello'' (c. 1601–1604). Shakespeare's Desdemona is a Venetian beauty who enrages and disappoints her father, a Venetian senator, when she elopes with Othello, a Moorish Venetian ...

in Tanghalang Ateneo's adaptation of

's ''

Othello ''Othello'' (full title: ''The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice'') is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare, probably in 1603, set in the contemporary Ottoman–Venetian War (1570–1573) fought for the control of the Island of Cypru ...

''. The following year, in 2009, she portrayed the role of Candida Marasigan—which she would continue to reprise four more times in the next five years—in

Nick Joaquin Nicomedes "Nick" Marquez Joaquin (; May 4, 1917 – April 29, 2004) was a Filipino writer and journalist best known for his short stories and novels in the English language. He also wrote using the pen name Quijano de Manila. Joaquin was conferr ...

's ''

A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino The ''A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino'', known also as "A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino: An Elegy in Three Scenes"Cinemalaya The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival is a film festival in the Philippines held annually during the month August at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex and various cinemas. Its aim is the development and promotion of Fi ...

film ''Ang Panggagahasa Kay Fe'', for which she received another Best Actress nomination at the

s. She also reprised her role as Baby Magtalas, the mother of Laida Magtalas (played by

Sarah Geronimo Sarah Asher Tua Geronimo-Guidicelli (, , born July 25, 1988) is a Filipino singer, performer and actress. Geronimo rose to prominence after winning the television singing contest '' Star for a Night'' earning her a recording contract with Vi ...

) in the sequel of ''

A Very Special Love ''A Very Special Love'' is a 2008 Filipino comedy romance film produced by Star Cinema and Viva Films and starring John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo. The film was directed by Cathy Garcia Molina and had received an “A” rating from the Ci ...

'', ''

You Changed My Life ''You Changed My Life'' is a 2009 Filipino romantic comedy film directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina and starring John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo. It is the sequel to the 2008 film '' A Very Special Love''. It received an “A” rating from the ...

''. In 2010, she starred in the

Cinemalaya The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival is a film festival in the Philippines held annually during the month August at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex and various cinemas. Its aim is the development and promotion of Fi ...

film ''Vox Populi'', playing the role of Connie de Gracia, a politician's daughter running for office. In the following years, she returned to Dulaang UP by way of Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero's '' Forsaken House'' and again reprised her role as Baby Magtalas in ''

It Takes a Man and a Woman ''It Takes a Man and a Woman'' is a 2013 Filipino romantic comedy film directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina and written by Carmi Raymundo. It is a sequel to two earlier films '' A Very Special Love'' (2008) and '' You Changed My Life'' (2009). John Ll ...

''. She also appeared in

's ''

Got to Believe ''Got to Believe'' is a 2013 Philippine romantic comedy-drama television series directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina and starring Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla. The series was aired on ABS-CBN and worldwide on The Filipino Channel from August ...

'' as Joaquin's nanny, Yaya Puring and ''

Be Careful With My Heart ''Be Careful with My Heart'' is a 2012 Philippine television drama series starring Jodi Sta. Maria and Richard Yap. The series aired on ABS-CBN's ''PrimeTanghali'' noontime block and worldwide via The Filipino Channel from July 9, 2012 to Nove ...

'' as Vicky Reyes, Maya's adviser. Adlawan was also cast as Principal May, the corrupt principal of a public school in '' Titser'', a miniseries produced for

GMA News and Public Affairs GMA Integrated News and Public Affairs (formerly known as ''RBS News Department'', ''GMA Radio-Television News'' and ''GMA Rainbow Satellite News''; and commonly GMA (Integrated) News) is the news division of the GMA Network (company), GMA Netw ...

. At the 9th Cinemalaya Film Festival, she received a Balanghai Trophy for Best Actress in the New Breed Category for her performance in ''

Transit Transit may refer to: Arts and entertainment Film * ''Transit'' (1979 film), a 1979 Israeli film * ''Transit'' (2005 film), a film produced by MTV and Staying-Alive about four people in countries in the world * ''Transit'' (2006 film), a 2006 ...

'' as Janet, an OFW working in

Israel Israel (; he, יִשְׂרָאֵל, ; ar, إِسْرَائِيل, ), officially the State of Israel ( he, מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, label=none, translit=Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl; ), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated ...

"struggling to keep her family together amid threats of cultural dislocation." She also received a Special Jury Citation for Ensemble Acting which she shares with

Ping Medina Crispin "Ping" Chupungco Medina Jr. (born July 23, 1983) is a Filipino film actor. Medina is a contract artist of Star Magic. Career Medina is a prominent independent film actor in the Philippines. He debuted in Marilou Diaz-Abaya's film ''Jos ...

Jasmine Curtis-Smith Jasmine Cassandra Curtis-Smith (; born April 6, 1994) is a Filipino-Australian actress, host, dancer, endorser, writer, and model. She is known internationally for her critically acclaimed performance in Hannah Espia's 2013 film ''Transit (2013 ...

Mercedes Cabral Mercedes Cabral (born August 10, 1986) is a Filipino actress. She is best known for starring in Philippine arthouse and independent films, notably those by Brillante Mendoza such as '' Serbis'', '' Kinatay'', ''Captive'', and '' Thy Womb''. She ...

, Marc Justine Alvarez, and Yatzuck Azuz. In 2014, she starred in

Ronnie Lazaro Ronnie Zabala Lazaro (born November 14, 1957) is a Gawad Urian Award-winning Filipino film and television actor, producer, casting and art director. Biography He has received many nominations throughout his career as an actor, nine of which we ...

's directorial debut ''Edna'', a film that again tackles the stories of OFWs. She played the role of Edna dela Costa, a Filipino caregiver returning home to find a changed family. Adlawan was also part of ''The Janitor'', an entry in the Directors Showcase category of Cinemalaya X. Later in the year, she joined the cast of

Liza Soberano Hope Elizabeth Soberano( , ; born January 4, 1998), professionally known as Liza Soberano, is a Filipino actress, model and singer. She started in a range of television series and films, including ''Wansapanataym'' (2011), '' Kung Ako'y Iiwan M ...

and

Enrique Gil Enrique Mari Bacay Gil V (; born March 30, 1992) is a Filipino actor, dancer, and commercial model. Gil has appeared in various films and television shows such as ''Mula Sa Puso'', ''Budoy'', '' Princess and I'', '' Muling Buksan Ang Puso'' an ...

's launching teleserye '' Forevermore'', as Mirasol, one of the farmers in their community and a maternal figure to Soberano's character, Agnes. In 2015, she continued to appear in ABS-CBN and GMA's drama anthologies, as well as their seasonal television specials and was cast in supporting roles in several films, including ''Sleepless'', a QCinema Film Festival offering and ''

Walang Forever ''#WalangForever'' () is a 2015 Filipino romantic comedy film starring Jennylyn Mercado and Jericho Rosales. It is an official entry to the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival and was shown on December 25, 2015. JM de Guzman was supposed to be the ...

'', an entry to the 41st Metro Manila Film Festival. In October of the same year, she returned to the stage, with much critical acclaim, through Tanghalang Pilipino's ''Mga Buhay na Apoy'', Kanakan-Balintagos' Palanca-award winning play. Adlawan was also cast in ''

Destiny Rose ''Destiny Rose'' is a Philippine television drama series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Don Michael Perez, it stars Ken Chan in the title role. It premiered on September 14, 2015 on the network's Afternoon Prime line up replacing ''Heali ...

'' as Bethilda Vitto, one of the show's antagonists. She also received a Best Supporting Actress nod for her performance as Mirasol in '' Forevermore'' at the 29th PMPC Star Awards for Television. The following year, Adlawan took home the Gawad BUHAY! award for Outstanding Lead Female Performance in a Play for her performance as Soledad Santos in ''Mga Buhay na Apoy''. She continued to appear in various television shows and movies and made a return to the Virgin Lab Fest stage in Kanakan Balintagos' ''Loyalist''. Later in the year, Adlawan eventually replaced Nora Aunor in the

entry, ''Oro'', and ultimately went on to win a Best Actress award for it.

Personal life

Adlawan married actor/writer/director Dennis Marasigan, whom she met during their time at the UP and with whom she has four children. He has directed her in several of his films: ''Sa North Diversion Road'', ''Tukso'', and ''Vox Populi''. They are separated.Reyes, William R.
Dramatic actress Irma Adlawan reveals her heartaches as a mother of four
" ''Philippine Entertainment Portal''. 29 May 2014. Web. 15 Jan. 2015.

Filmography

Films

*: shared with

, and Marc Justine Alvarez.

Television

Theatre

Awards and nominations

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Adlawan, Irma 1962 births Living people Filipino television actresses Filipino film actresses People from Tondo, Manila Actresses from Manila People from Kawit, Cavite University of the Philippines Diliman alumni Filipino stage actresses ABS-CBN personalities GMA Network personalities Viva Artists Agency