Candy Pangilinan

Maria Carmela "Candy" Espiritu Pangilinan (born May 8, 1972) is a Filipino film and television actress and comedian. She won best actress for CineFilipino 2016 and Los Angeles International Film Festival for the movie Star na si Van Damme.

Television and film career In the early 1990s, she starred in supporting roles in romantic comedy films such as Hindi Magbabago with Carmina Villarroel in 1994 and in lead roles such as Dahil Ba sa Kanya in 1998. In 2007, she was cast in a comedy film Apat Dapat, Dapat Apat with friends and comedians Rufa Mae Quinto, Pokwang, Eugene Domingo, produced by Quinto with Viva Films and ON Q-28 Productions. In television, she is known for her role in the series Mula sa Puso until its finale in 1999 she then played side kick to Claudine Barretto's character Rosario in Saan Ka Man Naroroon in 1999 to 2001. I Love Betty La Fea from 2008 to 2009 with a follow-up on the Philippine remake of Only You with Angel Locsin, Sam Milby and Diether Ocampo on ABS-CBN and the Critically Acclaimed Series Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin in 2011, in 2012 she did supporting roles for GMA Network such as Forever with Heart Evangelista, Geoff Eigenmann and Gloria Romero, and Hiram na Puso with Gina Alajar and Kris Bernal, she then did notable guest appearances on the hit Saturday trivia-game show Celebrity Bluff alongside Eugene Domingo in 2013. In 2014, she guest starred on TV5 on Sharon, Kasama Mo Kapatid, Beki Boxer, Regal Shocker Presents, Showbiz Police, Face the People and Tropa Mo Ako Unli. In Wansapanataym, the revived TV series back in ABS-CBN in Perfecto and Noreen Capili's My App Boyfie.

In popular culture Pangilinan portrayed herself on the November 30, 2024, episode of Magpakailanman entitled "My Very Special Son: The Candy Pangilinan Story", featuring her life story.

Personal life Pangilinan was born to Dori Espiritu.

Pangilinan married at age 31 although she and her husband, Gilbert Alvarado, are currently separated. In 2003, she gave birth to a son named Quentin, who has ADHD and autism.

In August 2024, Pangilinan had been in a 10-day isolation after having been diagnosed with herpes zoster.

Filmography Film Year Title Role 1991 Shake, Rattle & Roll III Sally 1993 Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story Nurse Johnny Tinoso and the Proud Beauty 1994 Hindi Magbabago Annette The Secrets of Sarah Jane: Sana’y Mapatawad Mo Regina 1995 Isang Kahig, Tatlong Tuka (Daddy Ka Na, Mommy Ka Pa!) Love Notes Melody Romano Sagrado: Talim sa Dilim Lourdes Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin: Camiguin Ikaw Pa, Eh Love Kita TV analyst Boy! Gising! Manalo Matalo, Mahal Kita Bisay Isko: Adventures in Animasia Carol 1996 Impakto Melba April Boys: Sana'y Mahalin Mo Rin Ako Chuchay Mahal Kita, Alam Mo Ba? Gelli Isa, Dalawa, Takbo! Wet Lady Medrano Geneva 1997 Dahil Tanging Ikaw Angel Rizal sa Dapitan Maria Honey, Nasa Langit Na Ba Ako? Noel's co-teacher 1998 Kung Ayaw Mo, Huwag Mo! Cris Dahil Ba sa Kanya Gina Sige, Subukan Mo Sonia 1999 Mula sa Puso: The Movie Berta Higit Pa sa Buhay Ko Vangie Weder-Weder Lang 'Yan Nikki Ikaw Lamang Helena 2000 Eto Na Naman Ako Silly Ayos Na... Ang Kasunod Pilar 2002 Ikaw Lamang Hanggang Ngayon Dina Akala Mo Beauty 2003 Pakners Ceiling 2006 D' Lucky Ones Tita Cara Binibining K Tess 2007 Apat Dapat, Dapat Apat: Friends 4 Lyf and Death Maria Resurrection 'Res' Macabuhay Enteng Kabisote 4: Okay Ka, Fairy Ko... The Beginning of the Legend Elsa 2008 For the First Time Josie 2009 And I Love You So Teacher Paula Ang Tanging Pamilya (A Marry-Go-Round!) Ka Away 2010 Petrang Kabayo Maita HIV: Si Heidi, Si Ivy at Si V 2011 Who's That Girl? Monique 2013 Ang Huling Henya Peachy Momzillas Gracia 2014 Wala Na Bang Ibang Title? Mulat Cathy Diary ng Panget Mayordoma Talk Back and You're Dead Selene Perez The Gifted Mrs. Tabayoyong 2015 Wang Fam Kay La Amigas Veronica "Nica" Verallo-Bermudez Etiquette for Mistresses Joy Everyday I Love You Ninang Beth All You Need Is Pag-Ibig Grace/Mel's Eldest Sister 2016 This Time Mrs. Analyn Buhay Star Na si Van Damme Stallone Nadia Lumayo Ka Nga sa Akin Divina Tuazon Dukot Police Chief dela Vega 2017 Deadma Walking Martha 2018 Ang Pambansang Third Wheel Maddie Ang Babaeng Allergic sa WiFi Aries / Leo's Mom Nakalimutan ko nang kalimutan ka Doc Rolex Abay Babes Madam Astra 2019 Jowable Nun Miracle in Cell No. 7 Orphanage rectress 2020 Hindi Tayo Pwede Ramona 2021 Ang Babaeng Walang Pakiramdam Tindera Tililing Maricel Sa Haba ng Gabi Neneng 2022 Partners in Crime Giging Reynes 2023 Adik Sa'yo Ida Sa Muli Manang Susan The Cheating Game Tita Gelly Penduko Dayang Aurora 2024 Road Trip Sophia Sunny Dang 2026 A Werewolf Boy Stella Wonderful Nightmare Madam Chavez Love, Ngo Queen

Television Year Title Role 1994 Mixed N.U.T.S. Herself 1996–1997 Good Evening... Pls. Herself 1998–2004 Ispup Herself 1998–1999 Mula sa Puso Berta 1999–2001 Saan Ka Man Naroroon Jengky 2001-2004 Whattamen Bebeng 2002 Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan Gundina 2008 I Love Betty La Fea Catalina Dominguez With Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz 2009 Only You With Angel Locsin, Sam Milby, and Diether Ocampo Chef Minnie 2010 Kokey @ Ako Cynthia Caparas 2011 Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin Mimi Estrella With Coco Martin, Maja Salvador, and Andi Eigenmann Daldalita Daisy the duck P. S. I Love You Lovely 2012 Gandang Gabi Vice Herself Hiram na Puso Becky 2013 Indio Lupeng Forever SusieThe Gift Dorina Wansapanataym Presents: Flores De Yayo Mommy Celebrity Bluff Player 2014 Wansapanataym Presents: Enchanted House Cindy Dimasupil Beki Boxer Consuelo Ponciano Wansapanataym Presents: Perfecto Elaine 2015 Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal Herself - Briefcase Number 8 Celebrity Bluff Guest player Karelasyon Joan Marimar Perfecta Sunday PINASaya Guest 2016 Dear Uge Laurie Hay, Bahay! Chef Pangga Laff, Camera, Action! Herself Magpakailanman:Sa Malas at Swerte Rexy Soliman Celebrity Playtime Player of Team 90's FPJ's Ang Probinsyano Aida Bale 2017 Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa Liza Marquez Wansapanataym: Annika Pintasera Flora With Julia Montes and JC Santos The Lolas' Beautiful Show Guest 2018 Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Araw Gabi Emmy Reyes-Verano / Lupe Reyes 2018-2019 My Special Tatay Chona Mariano 2019 Dragon Lady Mimi 2020 Make It with You Mariel Montenegro-Dimaguiba Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit Connie Herrera Fill in the Bank Herself / Contestant 2021 Heartful Café Madam Andi 2022 The Fake Life Young Sonya Magpakailanman: Born to Be a Queen (The Edwin Luis Story) Lily 2024 Da Pers Family Marites Magpakailanman: My Very Special Son: The Candy Pangilinan Story Herself 2025 It's Showtime Herself 7 Last Words Testimony Sharer, Third Word Rainbow Rumble Herself

Awards and nominations + Awards and nominations Year Award giving body Category Nominated work Results 2010 26th PMPC (Philippine Movie Press Club) Star Awards Star Awards Digital Movie Original Theme Song Of The Year Astig Ka 2016 Cine Filipino Film Festival awards Best Actress Star na si Van Damme Stallone 2016 Los Angeles International Film Festival Movie Star awards Best Actress Star na si Van Damme Stallone