Gina Pareño worked as a tricycle driver before she became an actress

Did you know that before she became an award-winning actress, Gina Pareño worked as a tricycle driver?

On the latest episode of “Tunay na Buhay,” the 71-year-old veteran thespian revealed that she was a tricycle driver in Makati before she became an actress.

She also sold fried bananas in front of the office of Sampaguita Pictures, where she worked as an extra and earned PHP10 which she used to buy food.

Sampaguita Pictures became her home after she won a dance contest on TV in 1964. She had since been among the company’s brightest stars, which also included Susan Roces.

After a few years, she brought to life the Philippines’ most famous female superhero—Darna.

In more than 50 years in showbiz, Gina proved her skills in different kinds of genres and made a name for herself.

Among the local and international awards she has received are the Philippine Film Icon 2021 and Best Actress at Osian’s CineFan 8th Festival of Asia for “Kubrador,” among other citations.

“I’m happy and shy but I’m happy because at least at my age, I get those, right?” she said.

Apart from doing television shows and movies, Gina or Lola Gets is also a rising star on TikTok, where she has over 1.7 million followers and 9 million likes.

In January, she reacted to Disney’s casting call for a Filipino lola. – Franchesca Viernes/RC, GMA News