Lorna Tolentino

Victoria Lorna Perez Aluquin-Fernandez (born December 23, 1961), better known by her stage name Lorna Tolentino, sometimes known as L.T., an abbreviation of her screen name, is a Filipino actress, model, film producer and television personality. Dubbed as the "Prime Star", she is known for her dramatic roles in film and television and was the fourth actress to achieve the Grandslam status for her performance in the film Narito ang Puso Ko. With a career spanning five decades, she has already appeared in 100 motion pictures and is cited by critics as one of the greatest Filipino actresses in Philippine cinema. She has received numerous accolades including seven FAMAS Awards, four Luna Awards, a Gawad Urian Award and two commendations from Asian Television Award.

Early life Lorna Tolentino was born as Victoria Lorna Perez Aluquin on December 23, 1961, in Concepcion, Tarlac and later moved to Manila. Her father, Amado Aluquin, is from Liliw, Laguna. She is also the stepmother of actor Mark Anthony Fernandez. She is first cousin to actress Amy Perez, Zsa Zsa Padilla and a niece of actor Jerry Pons. She was married to actor Rudy Fernandez from 1983 until his death in 2008. They have two sons.

She attended the elementary grades at St. Anthony School where she also finished high school. She took up a Bachelor of Arts course at St. Paul College in Quezon City, and also at the University of Santo Tomas and Maryknoll College (now Miriam College).

Career

She started her career as a child actress. Later, she portrayed the young Susan Roces in Divina Gracia and has a total of at least 60 movies. She has won eight film awards and garnered 20 nominations (mostly for Best Actress in FAMAS).

Her notable performances were Uod at Rosas (1981), Moral (1982), Sinasamba Kita (1982), Init sa Magdamag (1983), Somewhere (1984), Huwag Mo Kaming Isumpa (1986), Nakagapos Na Puso (1986), Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa (1987), Natutulog Ba ang Diyos (1988). In 2002, Tolentino starred in her first Primetime Drama Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay the first time Tolentino starred in a teleserye. In 2004-2008 she went to GMA Network to star in Hanggang Kailan and host Startalk to replace Rosanna Roces.

Tolentino returned to ABS-CBN to star with an ensemble cast in Dahil May Isang Ikaw, which earned her more praise. In 2010, she starred in the TV drama Momay, and in 2011, she starred in Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin with an ensemble cast.

She is also one of the Grandslam actresses in Philippine Cinema together with Vilma Santos, Elizabeth Oropesa, Nora Aunor and Sharon Cuneta. She won her Grandslam Best Actress for Narito ang Puso Ko (1993). She went back to her original network, GMA Network, to star in the upcoming heavy drama series Pahiram ng Sandali.

In May 2001, Tolentino participated in the protests of EDSA III, which called for Joseph Estrada's return to the Philippine presidency.

Tolentino is also known for her dramatic roles in television dramas. In 2002–2003, she was cast in the suspense drama series Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay as Lorrea/Lorrinda Guinto/Red Butterfly, a lead role which successfully set Philippine Primetime TV Standards and a successful finale.

In 2009–2010, Tolentino stopped doing TV series and instead focused on full-length films. On occasions, she participated as a TV host. She came back to reclaim her throne when she played the role of Atty. Tessa Ramirez in the popular soap opera Dahil May Isang Ikaw which won her more accolades in the New York Television Awards for Best Telenovela.

In 2011, she starred in the action-drama television series Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin, where she played a villain as Alondra Sebastiano. She later left the network and starred in the television drama Glamorosa.

In 2012, Tolentino did the soap opera Pahiram ng Sandali with GMA-7 with actor Dingdong Dantes, Christopher de Leon and Max Collins. She was included in the cast of Valiente and the weekly series Third Eye both airing on TV5.

In 2014, Tolentino had a small part in the GMA Network series, Genesis again with Dingdong Dantes.

In 2015, she starred with Ruffa Gutierrez and Gelli de Belen in Misterless Misis on TV5.

In 2018, Tolentino came back to ABS-CBN after five years to do the daytime series Asintado. After Asintado, Tolentino played the villainous and authoritarian bureaucrat-first lady turned warlord Lily Ann Cortez-Hidalgo on ABS-CBN's FPJ's Ang Probinsyano, topbilled by Coco Martin and reunited again with Martin in FPJ's Batang Quiapo as the anti-heroic syndicate leader Amanda Salonga.

Acting style and reception

Tolentino "has been known to practice emotional restraint in her acting." In 2004, the Directors’ Guild of the Philippines Inc. have listed her among the "15 Best Filipino Actresses of All Time". In 2006, S Magazine also included her in their list of "Philippine Cinema’s 15 Best Actresses of All Time" voted by film directors, scriptwriters and journalists. In a special episode of QTV's Ang Pinaka hosted by Pia Guanio, her dialogue with Alice Dixson in the 1988 film Nagbabagang Luha was included in their list of "20 Most Unforgettable Filipino Movie Quotes of All Time." Critic Elvin Luciano praised her portrayal in the 2010 film Sa 'Yo Lamang saying: "LT has mastered her craft, and at the same time, effectively supports her co-stars." Abigail Mendoza of Philippine Entertainment Portal praised her performance in the film Burgos (2013) saying: "Tolentino effectively evokes empathy with her subtle but compelling portrayal of Edita Burgos", further adding: "The actress shines in bringing life to the subdued but resilient heroine of the biopic, making her audience feel that a mother’s love is indeed so powerful." Edita Burgos herself praised Tolentino's portrayal saying: "It’s not only very accurate, it’s a very sensitive portrayal not only during the lonely and sorrowful moments but even the joyful experience with the children. It's very beautiful."

Reception Tolentino has been described as the "Grandslam Queen" by various media outlets. She is the second most nominated actress in a leading role at the FAMAS Awards history (behind Nora Aunor) having been nominated 16 times since 1988, tying the record with Lolita Rodriguez. She is also the third most nominated actress for the leading role in Gawad Urian Awards history (behind Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos), garnering 10 nominations since 1983. She starred with the ensemble cast in the 2009 series Dahil May Isang Ikaw. According to AGB Neilsen, the series attained 33.6% TV ratings in Mega Manila, earned a nomination at the International Emmy Awards in the Best Telenovela category and premiered in more than ten countries globally including Colombia, becoming the second Filipino content to air in Latin America. Yes! Magazine have included Tolentino in their annual list of 100 Most Beautiful Stars in 2009, 2010, 2013, and 2015. Among the local celebrities who expressed admiration towards Tolentino include Tootsie Guevara.

Filmography Film Year Title Role 1970 Divina Gracia Mga Anghel Na Walang Langit Nena 1972 My Little One 1973 Pag-ibig Mo, Buhay Ko! 1974 Biyenan Ko Ang Aking Anak Marilou 1975 Langit Ko... Ang Pag-ibig Mo 1976 Boss, Basta Ikaw (Wa 'Na 'Ko Sey) Sapagkat Kami'y Tao Lamang: Part 2 1978 Gorgonya Miss Dulce Amor, Ina Esmeralda at Ruby Paano ang Gabi Kung Wala Kana Katawang Alabok Katrina Walston 1979 Dalaga Sa Putik Ihuhugas ang Dugo Midnight Show Iskandalo! Norma Campos Nang Umapoy ang Karagatan Mga Huwad Na Mananayaw Stepsisters Aliw Lingling Star? 1980 4 Na Maria City After Dark Baby Disco Madhouse Uhaw sa Kalayaan Sa Init ng Apoy Waikiki: Sa Lupa ng Ating Mga Pangarap Mamang Sorbetero Waikiki 1981 Tropang Bulilit Cover Girls Diosa Wild Caught in the Act 1982 Uod at Rosas Sinasamba Kita Nora Dormitoryo: Buhay Estudyante Cynthia Moral Joey Kumander Elpidio Paclibar 1983 Init sa Magdamag Becky Claudio / Leah Sanchez Sana, Bukas Pa ang Kahapon Vendetta 1984 Somewhere Shirley Morena 1985 Hello Lover, Goodbye Friend Hindi Nahahati ang Langit Melody Muling Buksan ang Puso Ina, Kasusuklaman Ba Kita? Rizzy 1986 Huwag Mo Kaming Isumpa Nakagapos Na Puso Eliza Fajardo 1987 Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa Santina Maging Akin Ka Lamang Rosita Monteverde 1988 Nagbabagang Luha Maita Natutulog Pa ang Diyos Gillian Ramirez 1989 Kailan Mahuhugasan ang Kasalanan? Monica Escudero 1990 Tiny Terrestrial: The Three Professors Prof. Carla Presto-Eyestyle Higit Na Matimbang ang Dugo Ayaw Matulog Ng Gabi 1991 Kislap sa Dilim Ciena 1992 Narito ang Puso Ko Helen 1993 Gaano Kita Kamahal Auring Suclad Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo Winnie Martin 1994 The Elsa Santos Castillo (The Chop-chop Lady) Story Elsa Santos Castillo 1995 Sa Ngalan ng Pag-ibig Mae Sigaw ng Puso Nikki Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara Barbara Emergency Call 1996 Kristo Veronica May Nagmamahal Sa'yo Louella Bayarang Puso Juliet Sanvictores Wag na Wag Kang Lalayo Victoria 1997 Hanggang Kailan Kita Mamahalin Lisa Reyes 1998 Pusong Mamon Annie 1999 Luksong Tinik Beth Pineda 2000 Yakapin Mo ang Umaga Ria Ping Lacson, Super Cop Alice Lacson 2001 Sugatang Puso Celine Abakada... Ina Estela 2003 Magnifico Edna Utang ng Ama Doctora Mano Po 2: My Home Belinda 2005 Lovestruck Cocoy and Myka's mother 2006 Mano Po 5: Gua Ai Di Yolanda 2007 Katas ng Saudi Marcy 2010 Sa 'yo Lamang Amanda Alvero 2011 Ang Panday 2 Baruka 2013 Burgos Edith Burgos 2015 Crazy Beautiful You Dra. Lea Serrano Felix Manalo Attending Physician The Last Pinoy Action King Herself #WalangForever Betchay Nolasco 2017 Kamandag ng Droga 2024 Espantaho Rosa 2025 I'mPerfect Lizel 2026 A Werewolf Boy Older Sara

Television Year Title Role Notes 1977 Darna Darna 1987 Trianggulo Television film 1993 Star Drama Theater Presents: Lorna Various roles 1994 Ready, Get Set, Go! Herself - Host 1997 NegoSyete Herself - Co-host 1999 1 for 3 Yugie 1999–2000 Liwanag ng Hatinggabi Amanda 2002–2003 Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay Lorrea Guinto / Lea Mijares Lorrinda Gunto / Ingrid Medrano / Red Butterfly 2003 All About You Herself - Host 2004 30 Days Hanggang Kailan Valerie Rosales 2005 Darna Queen Adran 2005–2006 Sugo Amelia 2006 O, Mare Ko! Victoria "Vicky" Now and Forever: Linlang Lorena Castrillo 2007 StarStruck: The Next Level Herself - Council member 2007–2008 Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan Helen Lorenzo / Shanara 2009 Maalaala Mo Kaya Miriam Episode: "Chess" 2009–2010 May Bukas Pa Miriam 2009–2010 Dahil May Isang Ikaw Tessa Ramirez 2010 Momay Shirley Buenavidez 2011 Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin Alondra Sebastiano-del Tierro 2011–2012 Glamorosa Dra. Natalia Herrera-Marciano / Dra. Natalia Lustico 2012 Pidol's Wonderland Mia Episode: "Moomoo Mia" Valiente Milagros "Mila" De Jesus Regalado-Ilagan / Mila Ilagan-Arden Third Eye Rosanna Artista Academy Herself - Judge 2012–2013 Pahiram ng Sandali Janice Alvaro-Reyes 2013 Cassandra: Warrior Angel Jana Alcuaz Home Sweet Home Azon The Ryzza Mae Show Herself Magpakailanman Susan Maniego Genesis President Sandra Sebastian-Trinidad 2014 My Destiny Agnes dela Rosa 2015 Misterless Misis Jenny 2016 Yan ang Morning! Herself 2017 Maalaala Mo Kaya Maya Episode: "Love Behind Bars" Eat Bulaga Lenten Special Judit Peña Episode: "Pagpapatawad" 2018 Asintado Miranda Ojeda Barangay 143 Kapitana Baby dela Cruz Dubbed voice 2019–2022 FPJ's Ang Probinsyano First Lady Lily Ann Cortez-Hidalgo 2019 Call Me Tita Josefa "Josa" Orosa 2023–2025 FPJ's Batang Quiapo Amanda Salonga 2025–2026RojaGreta Roja 2026 A Secret in Prague

As producer/executive producer Kaaway ng Batas (1990) Kislap sa Dilim (1991) Kamay ni Kain (1992) Kahit Buhay Ko (1992) Matimbang Pa sa Dugo (1995) Itataya Ko ang Buhay Ko (1996) Hula Mo, Huli Ko (2002) I'mPerfect (2025)

Awards and nominations