Esmeralda Dizon Tuazon-Ventura (born December 13, 1961), known professionally as Amy Austria (Tagalog: [ˈami ˈʔaʊstɾija bɛnˈtʊɾa]), is a Filipino film and television actress. She is a recipient of a FAMAS Award, 2 Gawad Urian Awards, 3 FAP Awards and 4 MMFF Awards (including three Best Actress wins).[1][2][3]

Amy Austria-Ventura
Austria at the Sine Sandaan 2019
Born
Esmeralda Dizon Tuazon

(1961-12-13) December 13, 1961 (age 62)
NationalityFilipino
OccupationActress
Years active1976–present
Height5 ft 4 in (162 cm)
Spouses
(m. 1991; died 1992)
Duke Ventura
(m. 1999)
Children1

The Philippine Star listed Austria among the 15 Best Actresses of All Time.[4] In 2019, Austria was inducted at the Hall of Fame at the Metro Manila Film Festival.[5][6]

Life and career

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Esmeralda Dizon Tuazon is the second to the eldest among six children born in 1961 to an impoverished family. She helped the family by selling chewing gum. She studied at the Rajah Soliman High School. She was introduced to the producer Baby Martinez of MBM Productions through a common friend. She was then cast in Bitayin si Baby Ama (1976), the movie that made a star of Rudy Fernandez. After her second film, Alas (1976), with Jun Aristorenas, she was given minor parts in several other pictures then dropped out of the movie scene for almost a year. When she came back in mid-1977, contract star of Jesse Ejercito's Seven Star Productions. She became quite visible in the 1970s, in such films like Dabiana (1977), Miss Dulce Amor, Ina (1978), Atsay (1978), Menor de edad (1979), Gabun: Ama Mo, Ama Ko (1979), Bedspacers (1979) and Swing It, Baby (1979). After acting in two very relevant films for 1979, Ishmael Bernal's Aliw and Lino Brocka's Jaguar, Austria was finally a lead star in Nang Bumuka Ang Sampaguita (1980). At a time when female parts in Filipino cinema were strong and revolutionary, Austria became a busy actress: Langis at Tubig (1980), Sugat sa Ugat (1980), Goriong Butete (1980), Tondo Girl (1981), Pusong Uhaw (1982) and Waywaya (1982). In the 1990s and well into the 21st century, she still gives powerful supporting performances, in The Flor Contemplacion Story (1995), Muro-ami (1999), Anak (2000), Pagdating ng Panahon (2001), a Sharon Cuneta starrer and I Will Always Love You (2006) starring Richard Gutierrez and Angel Locsin. Anak is her second reunion movie with Vilma Santos, after Langis at Tubig and Paano Ba Ang Mangarap?.

In the 2000s, Austria came back to acting Via small screen in 2000; she was part of the highly acclaimed International Primetime drama Pangako Sa 'Yo or more well known as "The Promise" from 2000 to 2002 on ABS-CBN as Lourdes in 2003, she starred in GMA-7 oriented programs such as Kirara Anong Kulay Nang Pag Ibig? The Fantasy TV Series Mulawin from 2004 to 2005 and the movie adaptation turned Grand Finale of the series which was featured in 2005's Metro Manila Film Festival in her reprising role. She also made an appearance on another GMA program entitled Narito Ang Puso Ko.

In 2006, she returned to ABS-CBN for the television remake of Bituing Walang Ningning, which was extended for another month. She played a new character in the TV series made by novelist and comic creator Nerissa Cabral as an antagonist and mother to Angelika Dela Cruz's lead character Lavina as Barbara Arguelles the stage mother and con artist who has a share of her downfall. The series attained 42% percent high share in TV ratings. This was her second screentime with Dela Cruz. Austria accepted another for another Primetime Drama from a classic film and remake Walang Kapalit as a supporting character again from 2008 to 2010. She took a break from offers from TV and film.

In 2011, she accepted the military primetime drama Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin, which aired from March 7, 2011, to August 19, 2011. She took the role with the help from her cousin Lorna Tolentino and reunited her fellow veteran screen actors, such as Boots Anson Roa, Ronaldo Valdez, and Tonton Gutierrez, and John Estrada and her first with Coco Martin, and Maja Salvador and Andi Eigenmann.

In 2012, she starred in Lorenzo's Time with Zaijan Jaranilla, In 2013, she was seen on the lifestyle entertainment talk show Inside The Cinema with Boy Abunda on Cinema One (Movie Channel ABS-CBN Subsidiaries) and in 2014, she became a part of Ikaw Lamang on its second Book as the older version of Kim Chiu's character Isabel with fellow award-winning actors Joel Torre, Rio Locsin, Nonie Buencamino, and Christopher de Leon and also her reunion with Coco Martin, on their second series appearances. In 2015, she was seen in remake of Pangako Sa 'Yo as the adoptive mother of Kathryn Bernardo's character.

After she became part of the primetime television series Halik as the mother of Jericho Rosales' character, Austria returned to GMA Network for One of the Baes and Hearts on Ice, respectively.

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role
1977 Dabiana Susan Romero
1980 Brutal Monica Real
Langis at Tubig Pilar Jarlego
1984 May Lamok sa Loob ng Kulambo Ester Bayung-bayongan Jr.
1995 Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara Arlene
Campus Girls Criselda
The Flor Contemplacion Story Delia Maga
1996 In My Own Hand Anne
Kristo Mary Magdalene
Nananabik... Sa 'yong Pagbabalik
Trudis Lilt Magna
1997 Anak ng Dilim Magda
Ako Lang sa Langit Bebang
Frats
1998 Shirley
1999 Anak ng Dilim Magda
Bullet
Muro-Ami Susan
2000 Anak Lyn
2001 Hostage Via Morales
Pagdating ng Panahon Ate Soni
Bagong Buwan Fatima
2002 Mga Munting Tinig Luz
Mano Po Linda Go-dela Madrid
2003 Magnifico Tessie
Babae sa Breakwater Jovy
2004 Annie B.
Singles
Beautiful Life Benita
Mano Po III: My Love Lilia's mother
2005 Mulawin: The Movie Lourdes
2006 I Will Always Love You Encar
2019 Man and Wife Idad

Television

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Year Title Role Network
1983–1985 Yagit Dolor GMA Network
1995–1996 Kadenang Kristal Kristal
1999 Kirara, Ano ang Kulay ng Pag-ibig? Rose
2000 Umulan Man o Umaraw Chona
2000–2002 Pangako Sa 'Yo Lourdes Magpantay-Buenavista ABS-CBN
2003–2004 Narito ang Puso Ko Elsa Campuspos GMA Network
2004–2005 Mulawin Lourdes
2005 Now and Forever: Mukha Fatima
2005–2006 Sugo Graciela
2006 Bituing Walang Ningning Barbara Arguelles ABS-CBN
2007 Walang Kapalit Ceding
2011 Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin Lora Sebastiano-del Tierro / Rosa Sta. Maria
2012 Tanikala: Ang Ikaapat ng Yugto - Unos Lupe GMA Network
Lorenzo's Time Mildred Montereal-Gamboa ABS-CBN
2014 Ikaw Lamang Señora Isabelle Miravelez-Hidalgo
2015–2016 Pangako Sa 'Yo Belen Macaspac
2017 The Promise of Forever Olivia Ortega-Borja
2018–2019 Halik Dolores "Dolor" Salvador-Bartolome
2019–2020 One of the Baes Josephine "Jo" Rubio / Josephine De La Cruz Aragoza GMA Network
2019 Dear Uge: Monito Monita Chynna
2020 24/7 Lourdes Jacinto ABS-CBN
2023 Hearts on Ice Liberty "Libay" Bravo-Martinez GMA Network
2024 Shining Inheritance

Awards and nominations

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Year Award/Category Nominated work Result
1979 FAMAS Award Best Supporting Actress for Atsay Nominated
1980 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Actress for Brutal Won
1980 Gawad Urian Award Best Supporting Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktres) for Jaguar Won
1981 FAMAS Award Best Actress for Brutal Won
1982 Gawad Urian Award Best Supporting Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktres) for Ako ang hari Nominated
1986 Gawad Urian Award Best Supporting Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktres) for Hinugot sa langit Nominated
1986 FAMAS Award Best Supporting Actress for Hinugot sa langit Nominated
1988 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Actress for Celestina Sanchez, Alyas Bubbles/ Enforcer: Ativan Gang Won[7]
1989 Catholic Mass media Award Best Actress for Celestina Sanchez A.K.A. Bubble Won
1989 FAP Award Best Actress for Celestina Sanchez A.K.A. Bubble Won
1989 FAMAS Award Best Actress for Celestina Sanchez A.K.A. Bubble Nominated
1993 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Supporting Actress for Kung Mawawala Ka Pa Won[8]
1993 Gawad Urian Award Best Supporting Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktres) for Narito ang puso ko Won
1993 FAP Award Best Supporting Actress for Narito ang puso ko Won
1994 Gawad Urian Award Best Supporting Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktres) for Kung mawawala ka pa Nominated
1994 FAMAS Award Best Supporting Actress for Kung mawawala ka pa Nominated
1996 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Actress for Trudis Liit Won[9]
1996 Gawad Urian Award Best Supporting Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktres) for Nena Nominated
1996 Young Critics Circle, Philippines Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role for Nena Nominated
2001 FAP Award Best Supporting Actress for The Child Won
2002 FAMAS Awards Best Actress for New Moon Nominated
2003 Gawad Urian Awards Best Supporting Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktres) for Mano Po Nominated
2003 FAMAS Awards Best Supporting Actress for Mano Po Nominated
2005 FAP Awards, Philippines Best Supporting Actress for Beautiful Life Nominated
2005 Golden Screen Awards, Philippines Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Drama) for Beautiful Life Nominated
2005 ENPRESS Golden Screen Entertainment TV Awards Outstanding Lead Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for Mulawin Won
2011 25th Star Awards for TV Best Drama Actress for Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin Nominated
2012 Eastwood City Walk Of Fame Celebrity Inductee Won
2013 27th PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Drama Supporting Actress for Lorenzo's Time Nominated
2014 28th PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Drama Supporting Actress for Ikaw Lamang Nominated
2015 29th PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Supporting Actress for Pangako Sa 'Yo (2015 TV series) Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "Catch Vilma Santos' movies on "Monday Drama" block this November". ABS-CBN Cable Channel.
  2. ^ "LOOK: Celebs who seem to have found the 'fountain of youth' | GMA Entertainment". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  3. ^ "Nora, Vilma, Christopher, Maricel, Cesar, Amy iluluklok sa MMFF Hall of Fame". PEP.ph. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  4. ^ "The 15 Best Actresses of All Time". www.philstar.com. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  5. ^ Dela Cruz, Raymond Carl. "Titans of PH Cinema to be feted during MMFF 2019". www.pna.gov.ph. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  6. ^ "'Mindanao' wins big in MMFF 2019". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  7. ^ "Metro Manila Film Festival: Awards for 1988". Internet Movie Database.
  8. ^ "Metro Manila Film Festival: Awards for 1993". Internet Movie Database.
  9. ^ "Metro Manila Film Festival: Awards for 1996". Internet Movie Database.
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