Aileen Quimado Iwamoto (born August 29, 1988), known by her

stage name A stage name is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers—such as actors, comedians, singers, and musicians. Such professional aliases are adopted for a wide variety of reasons and they may be similar, or nearly identical, to an individu ...

, is a

Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...

ese–

Filipino Filipino may refer to: * Something from or related to the Philippines ** Filipino language, standardized variety of 'Tagalog', the national language and one of the official languages of the Philippines. ** Filipinos, people who are citizens of th ...

actress, model and reality television personality. She is the first runner up in the third season of '' StarStruck'', a reality-based talent search show of

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 ...

. She is well known for playing Rita Acuesta on '' Kung Mahawi Man Ang Ulap'' and Valentina in ''

Darna Darna () is a Filipina superheroine created by writer Mars Ravelo and artist Nestor Redondo. The character's first appearance was in ''Pilipino Komiks'' (Ace Publications, Inc.) #77 on May 13, 1950. Darna is a retooling of Ravelo's earlier cha ...

''.

Acting

Iwa Moto auditioned for StarStruck but failed to qualify until she has succeeded in audition for the third season in which she ended up as the First Princess along with Gian Carlos as the First Prince. After '' StarStruck'', Iwamoto appeared on ''

SOP Gigsters ''SOP Gigsters'' is a Philippine television variety show broadcast by GMA Network. Hosted by Richard Gutierrez and Raymond Gutierrez, it premiered on June 13, 2004. The show concluded on October 22, 2006. It featured young stars and ran texting ...

'', '' Love to Love: Young At Heart'' and ''

Nuts Entertainment ''Nuts Entertainment'' is a Philippine television sketch comedy show broadcast by GMA Network. Starring Joey de Leon, Janno Gibbs and Anjo Yllana, it premiered on April 30, 2003 on the network's KiliTV line up. The show concluded on December 27, ...

''. During her stint in ''Nuts Entertainment'', Iwamoto was suspended for 6 weeks along with

Jackie Rice Jacqueline Sobreo Rice (born April 27, 1990) is a Filipino-American actress, singer, and model. Career and personal life Born to an American father and a Filipino mother, she grew up in Olongapo City, Zambales. She was a student at St. Anne ...

. After the suspension, Iwamoto came back to Nuts Entertainment, joined the cast of ''

Bakekang ''Bakekang'' is a Philippine television drama series broadcast by GMA Network. The series is based on a Philippine graphic novel by Carlo J. Caparas. Directed by Gil Tejada Jr. and Khryss Adalia, it stars Sunshine Dizon in the title role. It pre ...

'', her first primetime show where she played Jenny, the best friend of Kristal, played by

Lovi Poe Lourdes Virginia Moran Poe (born February 11, 1989), popularly known as Lovi Poe, is a Filipino actress, model, and recording artist. She is the daughter of action star Fernando Poe Jr. Poe is known for starring in two popular GMA drama series ...

, and also on the last season of '' Love to Love'' which is ''Jazz Got Lucky''. Iwamoto also portrayed her life story on ''

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.'' ...

''. In 2007, Iwamoto appeared in ''

Super Twins ''Super Twins'' is a 2007 Philippine television drama fantasy series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Dominic Zapata, it stars Jennylyn Mercado, Nadine Samonte, Ella Cruz, Nicole Dulalia and Dennis Trillo. It premiered on February 12, 20 ...

'', wherein she portrayed the character Moshi Moshi Manika, her first antagonist role. After that, Iwamoto portrayed Rita on ''

Sine Novela ''Sine Novela'' is a Philippine television drama series broadcast by 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 N ...

s third installment '' Kung Mahawi Man Ang Ulap'', wherein she got a favorable response from the viewers of the show. Due to her performance in ''Kung Mahawi Man ang Ulap'', she was in included in '' Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan'' as a Black Amazona, her third antagonist role. In 2008, Iwamoto became the image model of ''FHM Philippines'', making her the third Filipina to hold that title after Asia Agcaoili and Katrina Halili. In September of the same year, Iwamoto appeared on the cover of ''FHM Philippines'' for the second time. She was a previous covergirl of ''FHM Singapore''. Straight after ''Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan'', Iwamoto was given a supporting role in

Robin Padilla Robinhood Ferdinand Cariño Padilla (; born November 23, 1969), known professionally as Robin Padilla, is a Filipino politician, television personality, martial artist, actor and director currently serving as a Senator of the Philippines since ...

's ''

Joaquin Bordado ''Joaquin Bordado'' is a 2008 Philippine television drama action series broadcast by GMA Network. The series is based on a Philippine comic book serial by Carlo J. Caparas with the same title. Directed by Mac Alejandre and Argel Joseph, it star ...

'', as Diane, but her character was killed off for Iwamoto to focus on ''

s eighth installment ''

Magdusa Ka ''Magdusa Ka'' (International title: ''Misery'' / ) is a 2008 Philippine television drama series broadcast by GMA Network. Based on a 1986 Philippine film of the same title, the series is the eighth instalment of ''Sine Novela''. Directed by Ma ...

'' with

Katrina Halili Maria Katrina Iren Pe Halili (born January 4, 1986) is a Filipino actress and commercial model of Chinese descent. She made her screen debut through the reality talent search '' StarStruck'' in 2003, and became more popular playing several role ...

and

Dennis Trillo Abelardo Dennis Florencio Ho (born 12 May 1981), known professionally as Dennis Trillo (), is a Filipino actor, model and recording artist. He is currently a contract star of GMA Network. He was known for his role as Eric del Mundo in the firs ...

. After that, Iwamoto was included on the cast of ''

Luna Mystika ''Luna Mystika'' is a Philippine television drama fantasy series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Michael Tuviera and Gil Tejada Jr., it stars Heart Evangelista and Mark Anthony Fernandez. It premiered on November 17, 2008 on the network's ...

'' as Donita Sagrado, the main antagonist of

Heart Evangelista Love Marie Payawal Ongpauco (born February 14, 1985), known professionally as Heart Evangelista (, alternately ), is a Filipino actress, artist, businesswoman, and socialite. Early life Heart Evangelista was born as Love Marie Payawal Ongpau ...

's character. In 2009, Iwa Moto appeared in the primetime series ''

Adik Sa'Yo ''Adik Sa'Yo'' (International title: ''Love Games'' / ) is a 2009 Philippine television drama romantic comedy series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Joel Lamangan and Lore Reyes, it stars Jolina Magdangal, Jennica Garcia, Dennis Trillo and ...

'' as Andrea, but left for ''

'' to play '' Valentina'', the main antagonist of Darna and her biggest role in a drama so far. In 2010, Iwamoto began reappearing currently reappearing in ''Darna'' and also on ''

Ina, Kasusuklaman Ba Kita? ''Ina, Kasusuklaman Ba Kita?'' (International title: ''A Mother's Sacrifice'' / ) is a 2010 Philippine television drama series broadcast by GMA Network. Based on a 1985 Philippine film of the same title, the series is the eighteenth installmen ...

'', in which she portrays the role of Rossan. In ''Darna'', she played the character Valentina, the prime rival of superheroine Darna. She appeared in '' Love Bug: "Last Romance"'' and also as a guest in '' Pilyang Kerubin'' and in the TV series ''

Beauty Queen A beauty pageant is a competition that has traditionally focused on judging and ranking the physical attributes of the contestants. Pageants have now evolved to include inner beauty, with criteria covering judging of personality, intelligence, ...

''. In 2011, she participated in ''

Dwarfina ''Dwarfina'' is a 2011 Philippine television drama romance fantasy series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Mike Tuviera, it stars Heart Evangelista in the title role and Dennis Trillo. It premiered on January 10, 2011 on the network's Tele ...

'', starring Heart Evangelista and Dennis Trillo. Her last TV project was ''Andres de Saya'', starring

Cesar Montano Cesar Manhilot (born August 1, 1962), known professionally as Cesar Montano (), is a Filipino actor, film producer and film director. Montano started in show business as a commercial model.

and

Iza Calzado Maria Izadora Ussher Calzado-Wintle (born August 12, 1982), known professionally as Iza Calzado (), is a Filipino actress, television host, dancer and model. She is dubbed as the "''Goddess of Horror Films''" by local media for her acting prowes ...

. In 2012, she appeared on ''

Wil Time Bigtime ''Wil Time Bigtime'' (formerly known as ''Willing Willie'') is a Philippine primetime variety-game show broadcast by TV5. The show premiered on October 23, 2010, with its main host Willie Revillame. The show commemorated its first anniversary ...

'' but left shortly due to her existing contract with

Personal life

Iwa Moto is the eldest of the three siblings. Her father, the late was a Japanese immigrant to the Philippines while her mother is Filipino. Since 2012, Iwa Moto is in a relationship with Panfilo "Pampi" Lacson Jr., son of Senator

Panfilo Lacson Panfilo "Ping" Morena Lacson Sr. (; born June 1, 1948) is a Filipino former politician and police general who served as a Senate of the Philippines, Senator for three terms: from 2001 to 2013 and from 2016 to 2022. He was the Chief of the Phil ...

, with whom she has a daughter born in September 2013. She gave birth to a son in 2021.

Filmography

Television

Film

Awards

References

External links

*
Iwa Moto on FHM.com.phIwa Moto on iGMA.tv
{{authority control 1988 births Living people Actresses of Japanese descent Filipino child actresses Filipino film actresses Filipino female models Filipino people of Japanese descent Filipino television actresses People from Las Piñas Participants in Philippine reality television series StarStruck (Philippine TV series) participants GMA Network personalities TV5 (Philippine TV network) personalities Tagalog people