Irma Adlawan

Irma Santonil Adlawan (born March 7, 1962) is a Filipino actress of stage and screen. She began her career on stage with the drama company Tanghalang Pilipino in the 1990s and later expanded into acting through independent and mainstream productions. Adlawan has received accolades including four Aliw Awards, a FAMAS Award, a Metro Manila Film Festival Award, and a Young Critics Circle, in addition to nominations for five Gawad Urian and three Luna Awards.

Early life and education Adlawan was born in Tondo, Manila, the daughter of Conrada Santonil, a housewife, and Pedro Adlawan, a retired colonel.

Career 1983-1999: Early career Her first stage role was Helena from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, which she performed for Dulaang UP in 1983 under the direction of its founder, Tony Mabesa. She became a regular of Dulaang UP, starring in productions including Chekhov's Three Sisters, Betti's The Queen and the Rebels, Fay and Michael Kanin's Rashomon, and Molière's The Misanthrope, and other plays.

Adlawan became a member of Tanghalang Pilipino's Actors Company from 1991 to 1998, performing in stage plays in roles including: a Chinese film producer based on Regal Films matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde in Dennis Marasigan's Ang Buhay Ay Pelikula; Zafira in Francisco Balagtas' Orosman at Zafira; Sisa in the Cayabyab-Lumbera musical adaptation of José Rizal's Noli Me Tangere; and Teodora Alonso in Nonon Padilla and Rene O. Villanueva's Teodora. For Ang Buhay Ay Pelikula she was cited as Best Actress of the Year by the Young Critics Circle in 1992, while for Teodora her performance as the mother of Philippine hero José Rizal was praised by National Artist for Dance Leonor Orosa-Goquingco for "[accomplishing] her histrionic feat, her splendid tour de force [with such ease, passion, range, verisimilitude and transparency]."

2000-2013: Expansion into acting on screen Adlawan's early mainstream film roles include a victim of incestuous rape in Jeffrey Jeturian's Tuhog in 2001, and a public school teacher in Mga Munting Tinig in 2002, both of which earned her a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Gawad Urian Awards. In 2005, during the advent of digital cinema, she starred in three independent films: ICU Bed #7, where she played Eddie Garcia's daughter; Sa North Diversion Road, which had been adapted for film and had her reprising her role from mid-90s theatre alongside John Arcilla, where they played 10 different couples dealing with infidelity; and Mga Pusang Gala, based on the Palanca award-winning screenplay by Rody Vera and Jun Lana, where she played the role of Marta, a single middle-aged advertising practitioner. That same year, she starred in Tanghalang Pilipino's production of David Henry Hwang's The Golden Child and alternated with Missy Maramara as Desdemona in Tanghalang Ateneo's adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello. In 2009, she portrayed Candida Marasigan—which she reprised four more times in the next five years—in Nick Joaquin's A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino in a staging by Repertory Philippines.

Also in 2009, Adlawan starred in Alvin Yapan's Cinemalaya film Ang Panggagahasa Kay Fe, for which she received another Best Actress nomination at the Gawad Urian Awards. She also reprised her role as Baby Magtalas, the mother of Laida Magtalas (played by Sarah Geronimo) in the sequel of A Very Special Love, You Changed My Life. In 2010, she starred in the Cinemalaya film Vox Populi, playing Connie de Gracia, a politician's daughter running for office. In the following years, she returned to Dulaang UP by way of Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero's Forsaken House and again reprised her role as Baby Magtalas in It Takes a Man and a Woman. She appeared in ABS-CBN's Got to Believe as Joaquin's nanny, Yaya Puring and Be Careful With My Heart as Vicky Reyes, Maya's adviser. She played corrupt public school head Principal May in Titser, a miniseries produced for GMA News and Public Affairs.

At the 9th Cinemalaya Film Festival, she received the Balanghai Trophy for Best Actress in the New Breed Category for her performance in Transit as Janet, an OFW working in Israel "struggling to keep her family together amid threats of cultural dislocation." She received a Special Jury Citation for Ensemble Acting which she shares with Ping Medina, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Mercedes Cabral, Marc Justine Alvarez, and Yatzuck Azuz.

2014-present: Continued appearances on screen and stage In 2014, she starred in Ronnie Lazaro's directorial debut Edna, a film that again tackles the stories of OFWs. She played Edna dela Costa, a Filipino caregiver returning home to find a changed family. Adlawan was also part of The Janitor, an entry in the Directors Showcase category of Cinemalaya X. She joined the cast of Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil's launching teleserye Forevermore, as Mirasol, a farmer and maternal figure to Soberano's character, Agnes.

In 2015, she continued to appear in ABS-CBN and GMA's drama anthologies, as well as their seasonal television specials, and was cast in supporting roles in films including Sleepless, a QCinema Film Festival offering, and Walang Forever, an entry to the 41st Metro Manila Film Festival. She returned to the stage in October, in Tanghalang Pilipino's Mga Buhay na Apoy, Kanakan-Balintagos' Palanca-award-winning play. She was cast in Destiny Rose as Bethilda Vitto, one of the show's antagonists. She received a Best Supporting Actress nod for her performance as Mirasol in Forevermore at the 29th PMPC Star Awards for Television.

n 2015, Adlawan received the Gawad BUHAY! award for Outstanding Lead Female Performance in a Play for her performance as Soledad Santos in Mga Buhay na Apoy. She continued to appear in television shows and movies, and returned to the Virgin Lab Fest stage in Kanakan Balintagos' Loyalist. She replaced Nora Aunor in the Metro Manila Film Festival entry, Oro, for which she won Best Actress award.

Reception Adlawan is regarded as one of the most accomplished and respected theater actors in the Philippines. She has appeared in numerous Shakespearean adaptations and modern realist masterpieces of world theater. She was inducted into the Hall of Fame of Aliw Awards for her winning performances in 100 Songs of Mary Helen Fee (2001), Speaking in Tongues (2004), and Ang Pokpok ng Ohio (2005). Writing for TheaterFansManila.com, Nikki Francisco praised her performance in the staging of Makbet in 2017, describing her as an actress "on a league of her own."

Writing for the Philippine Entertainment Portal, Jocelyn Valle opined that Adlawan's performance in the drama film Edna (2014) was effective, and praised her ability to create her character with "believability, consistency, and sympathy".

Personal life Adlawan married actor/writer/director Dennis Marasigan, whom she met during their time at the UP and with whom she has four children. He has directed her in several of his films: Sa North Diversion Road, Tukso, and Vox Populi. They are separated.

Acting credits Theatre Year Title Role Theatre company Notes 1983 A Midsummer Night's Dream Helena Dulaang UP 1984 Three Sisters Irina 1985 The Queen and the Rebels Argia Rashomon Kinume 1987 The Misanthrope Célimène 1988 The Merchant of Venice Portia 1991 Mac Malicsi, T.N.T. Sally Sumulong Tanghalang Pilipino Sa North Diversion Road Woman Reprised role on film in 2005.1992 Ang Buhay Ay Pelikula Prodyuser Young Critics Circle Award for Best Actress of the Year (1992)Reprised role in 1994. The Seagull Nina Sigalot sa Venetia Checca Aninag, Anino Anatomiya ng Korupsiyon Cely Reprised role in 1998 and 2002. Teodora Teodora Alonso 1994 Orosman at Zafira Zafira Ulilang Tahanan Clemencia Reprised role in 1996 and 1998. Kalantiaw Multiple roles Played Babaeng Guro, Asawa, Katutubong Babae 1–8.Reprised role in 1995.1995 Noli Me Tangere: The Musical Sisa Hedda Gabler Hedda Gabler 1997 Lysistrata Lysistrata 2002 100 Songs of Mary Helen Fee Mary Helen Aliw Award for Best Stage Actress 2005 Speaking in Tongues Jane Aliw Award for Best Stage Actress 2006 Ang Pokpok ng Ohio Pokpok Aliw Award for Best Stage Actress Bakeretta (Ghost Operetta) Thea 2008 Othello: Ang Moro ng Venecia Desdemona Tanghalang Ateneo The Golden Child Siu Yong Tanghalang Pilipino Nominated – Gawad BUHAY! Award for Outstanding Female Lead Performance in a Play (2008) 2009 A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino Candida Marasigan Repertory Philippines Reprised role four times, twice in 2013 and another two times in 2014. 2010 Medea Medea UP Dulaang Laboratoryo 2012 Forsaken House Encarna Dulaang UP 2015 Mga Buhay Na Apoy Soledad Santos Tanghalang Pilipino Nominated – Gawad BUHAY! Award for Outstanding Female Lead Performance in a Play (2015) 2017 Makbet Lady Macbeth CSB-SDA

Films Year Title RoleNotes 1995 Bagong Bayani Virginia Parumog 1996 Bakit May Kahapon Pa? Karina's mother 1997 Minsan Lamang Magmahal Miss Anuevas 1998 José Rizal Lucia as Irma Adlawan-Marasigan2001 Tuhog Perla La Vida Rosa Dado's mother as Irma Marasigan2002 Mga Munting Tinig Fe Mano Po Congresswoman 2003 Homecoming Puring 2004 Bridal Shower Joebert's mother Milan Mary Grace's aunt Naglalayag Charie Santa Santita Mother with cellphone 2005 Nasaan Ka Man Abling ICU Bed #7 Cely Sa North Diversion Road Woman Nominated – Golden Screen Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, Drama (2006)Nominated – Gawad Urian Award for Best Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangunahing Aktres) (2006) Mga Pusang Gala Marta Nominated – Star Award for Movies for Movie Actress of the Year (2006)Nominated – FAP Award for Best Actress (2006)Nominated – FAMAS Award for Best Actress (2006) 2006 Mano Po 5: Gua Ai Di Mrs. Go 2007 Tukso Fe Still Life Signos Cora Ataul: For Rent Aling Carmen FAMAS Award for Best Supporting Actress (2008)Nominated – Star Award for Movies for Movie Supporting Actress of the Year (2008)Nominated – Golden Screen Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Drama (2008)Nominated – FAP Award for Best Supporting Actress (2008) Bahay Kubo: A Pinoy Mano Po! Julie as Irma Adlawan-Marasigan2008 Huling Pasada Parolado Adela Short film Hubad Carmen Manahan Nominated – Star Award for Movies for Movie Actress of the Year (2009) A Very Special Love Baby Magtalas Melancholia Spiritist / Store owner Dose Helen 2009 You Changed My Life Baby Magtalas Padyak Pacita Heavenly Touch Lydia Kamoteng Kahoy Leticia Mangatyanan Luzviminda Marquez Ang Panggagahasa Kay Fe Fe Nominated – Gawad Urian Award for Best Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangunahing Aktres) (2010) Panahon Na Teresa Iliw Shake, Rattle & Roll XI Dr. Yulo 2010 Bigasan Rebecca Off World The mother Vox Populi Connie de Gracia Amigo Josefa Super Inday and the Golden Bibe Lucita 2011 Wedding Tayo, Wedding Hindi Laura Baytion 2012 Sta. Niña The Reunion Irma (Pat's mother) 2013 It Takes a Man and a Woman Baby Magtalas Transit Janet Cinemalaya IX Balanghai Trophy for Best Actress – New Breed Category (2013)Cinemalaya IX Special Jury Citation for Ensemble Acting – New Breed Category* (2013)Nominated – Golden Screen Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, Drama (2014) Bamboo Flowers Berta Islands Daughter Island Dreams Maria 2014 The Janitor Crisanto's mother Edna Edna dela Costa Bacao Beauty in a Bottle Herself Cameo appearance Konsensya Short film 2015 Dimalupig Isang Butil Na Kahapon Must Date The Playboy Nora Alcantara Sleepless Carmela Walang Forever Tessie 2016 Always Be My Maybe Mila Sakaling Hindi Makarating Mama Special participation Imagine You and Me Terry The Unmarried Wife Anne's mom Oro Kapitana Best Actress, Metro Manila Film Festival (2016) 2017 I'm Drunk, I Love You Carson's mother 2020 Four Sisters Before the Wedding Lola Ibiang 2024402025Sampung Utos Kay JoshJosh's MotherChild No. 82: Anak ni Boy Kana Mother Betty shared with Ping Medina, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Mercedes Cabral, and Marc Justine Alvarez.

Television / Digital

Microdrama Year Title Role Notes Source 2026 How to Murder a Doña Carmen

Accolades