Gina Alajar

Regina Alatiit was born as the eldest child, on June 28, 1959, to Bernardino Alatiit of Roxas City and Angelica Liguid of Cavite. She attended elementary school at the P. Burgos Elementary School and, after high school, took a one-year course on Tourism and Travel at the Centro Escolar University. She was a member of the Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) which was headed by her mentor and friend, Lino Brocka, and with whom she took part in issues confronting the movie industry and other social concerns. Alatiit was only eight when she auditioned for Lea Productions' Kaibigan ko'ng Sto. Niño (1967). Among some 300 aspirants, she won the role of "Oreng" opposite Roderick Paulate. Later, Gina appeared in several Sampaguita pictures. Among her early films was Donata (1968), where she played the titular role of the girl who grows up to be Gina Pareño. (She would also play "Narda" to Gina Pareño's "Darna" in the 1969 film Si Darna at ang Planetman (1969). She also portrayed the real-life character of Irene Marcos in Pinagbuklod ng langit (1969), and was one of the children in Lina Brocka's Wanted: Perfect Mother (1970). By the time Gina appeared in 'Cofradia' (1973), a remake of the Gloria Romero starrer, she was already a Sampaguita contract star. Gina's other films include Bandana (1968), Mga anghel na walang langit (1970), Mga basag na kristal (1977), Modelong tanso (1979), 'Diborsyada' (1980), City After Dark (1980), Brutal (1980), Salome (1981), Playgirl (1981), Caught in the Act (1981), Moral (1982), Ganti (1983), 'Dalmacio Armas' (1983), Sister Stella L. (1984), _Bulaklak ng City Jail (1985)_ and Orapronobis (1989). Gina also appeared in American-released movies shot in the Philippines, like Caged Fury (1983), Birds of Prey (1988), and The Debut (2000), which was topbilled by Dante Basco with other Filipinos and directed by a Fil-Am, Gene Cajayon. 1998 saw Gina in two significant roles: as the saintly Mother Ignacia (born 1663) in Mother Ignacia - Ang uliran (1998), and as the mother of José Rizal in the Marilou Diaz-Abaya film José Rizal (1998). Gina also joined the multi-awarded independent film Mga munting tinig (2002), which garnered nominations and honors at the 'Bangok Film Festival' and 'Palm Beach International Film Festival'. On stage, Gina performed in Dulaang UP's "Misteryo ng Pumpon ng Rosas" (1992), a translation of Manuel Puig's "Mystery of the Rose Bouquet." Gina won as Best Child Actress at the Film Academy of the Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) for Kaibigan ko'ng Sto. Niño (1967) and received a similar trophy from the Citizens' Council for Mass Media (CCMM) for Wanted: Perfect Mother (1970). After 23 years, Gina received her second FAMAS award for Best Supporting Actress for Biktima (1990). She was also Best Supporting Actress at the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) for Brutal (1980). She has won the URIAN four times, as best actress for Brutal (1980), Salome (1981) and Bayan Ko (1984); and as best supporting actress for Biktima (1990). The Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) gave her the best supporting actress award twice, for Kaya kong abutin ang langit (1984) and for Andrea, paano ba ang maging isang ina? (1990). At the 1991 Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA), she scored an unprecedented feat by winning Best Actress for Biktima (1990) and Best Supporting Actress for Andrea, paano ba ang maging isang ina? (1990). Of late, Gina has turned to directing TV shows, mini-series and soap operas on Philippine television, including "Vietnam Rose" (2005) and "Majika" (2006). Gina has been one of the finest actresses the 1970s and '80s has produced and continues to brighten up films with her performances.