She has established herself as one of most talented actresses in Philippine show business.
In her more than five decades in the industry, the name Gina Pareño is already synonymous with the word “versatile.” This is because she can make you cry with her acting prowess and put a smile on your face with her comedic wit.
Last 2021, Miss Gina was hailed as the Philippine Film Icon of 2021 by EDDYS.
Not only that, she also successfully transitioned to the world of social media by becoming one of the most followed Pinoy celebrities on TikTok-- her account “yourlolagets” boasts more than 1.7 million followers.
In an interview with entertainment columnist and manager Ogie Diaz on his vlog on July 18, 2022, the brilliant actress admitted that she's a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community and shared the special bond she had with the late actress Dra. Bong (Nenita Vidal).
Get to know the stellar showbiz career of the one and only Gina Pareño in this gallery.
Gina Pareño's real name is Geraldine Achtley. She was born in Pandacan, Manila to a Filipina mother and a German-American father. In an interview with 'Tunay na Buhay,' Gina talked about her dad saying, “Si Mommy kasi ni litrato hindi ako pinakitaan. Pero kamukha ko raw.”
Before becoming an artista, Gina earned an income by becoming a tricycle driver before. She told Pia Arcangel then, "Oo, nagta-tricyle ako dati sa Makati. Nagpapasada ako ng tricycle."
Another trivia, Miss Gina used to sell banana cue in front of the Sampaguita Pictures and experienced working as an extra before.
"Extra-extra ako noon, sampung piso para may pangkain. Aba'y marami-rami na ring pagkain 'yun. Mga pandelimon," Gina shared on 'Tunay na Buhay.'
In 1964, she won a dance contest and her life changed forever. She also acted alongside the biggest celebrities under Sampaguita Pictures.
Gina also recalled the dark moment in her life when she was caught using prohibited drugs.
“Ako nangyari sa akin 'yun. Pero 'yung akin naman na bisyo na 'yun, actually, hindi naman gano'n ka-bisyo na addict-addict na akong ganun. 'Yung akin lang gusto ko tumikim. E, nadali ako sa tikim. Kaya ngayon maingat na ako.” Source: Tunay na Buhay
We all know her for her roles on TV and film, but Gina is a doting mother to her two children: Racquel and Michael.
Our favorite Lola Gina has been part of some Kapuso TV projects like 'Kara Mia' (2019) , wherein she played Lola Corazon. And recently, she had a guest appearance in the high-rating action-drama series 'Lolong' (2022) starring Ruru Madrid.
Miss Gina has been hailed as a great actress not just in the Philippines but also abroad.
She bagged the Best Actress recognition at the Osian Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema and the Brussels International Independent Film Festival for her role in 'Kubrador.'
Pareño's acting performance in 'Serbis' also earned her the Best Supporting Actress award in 2009 at the 3rd Hong Kong Asian Film Festival (HKAFF).
Meanwhile, she also won the Best Actress recognition at the Pacific Meridian International Film Festival for her role in 'Serbis.'
Gina Pareño received the distinct honor at the 4th Entertainment Editors Choice awards (EDDYS) in 2021 when she was named as one of the "Philippine Film Icon.”
Gina said on 'Tunay na Buhay' after winning the recognition, “Masaya ako. Nahihiya ako, pero at least sa edad kong ito 'di ba.”
She successfully reinvented herself and is one of the top Pinay content creators on TikTok. As of this writing, her account has over 10 million likes and has more than 1.7 million followers.
Miss Gina openly admitted in her exclusive interview with Ogie Diaz that she's a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and her relationship with Dra. Bong.
When Ogie asked her, “Kaya mo bang aminin na miyembro ka ng LGTBQ?” she said, “Oo. Walang kagatol-gatol, hindi pa tapos 'yung linya mo. Oo, bakit? May problema? At saka nagmamahal akong tapat” Gina's immediate response.
Gina has a daughter who is also in the showbiz industry. Her daughter Raquel was last seen as Doña Consolacion in the historical fantasy series 'Maria Clara at Ibarra.'
Gina will be playing a role in the upcoming mega series 'Mga Lihim ni Urduja' as Lola Merly.