Noemi Tesorero

Noemi Tesorero

Career Mahal became popular when she was featured in a newspaper article, and a policeman compared her size to an ArmaLite assault rifle. She then went on to be featured by Inday Badiday in her talk show Eye to Eye, before appearing regularly on television in 1988 through the noontime show Lunch Date. Living with dwarfism, standing three feet tall, she often used self-deprecating humor and took roles using her height to comic effect, or to fulfill demands of fantasy characters. with Allan Padua, better known as Mura. Mura also had dwarfism, and together they formed a tandem in Magandang Tanghali Bayan.

In an episode of Face the People, Mahal lamented the mismanagement by her manager, Jethro Carrey, towards her career, and the latter's alleged favoritism over his other newer talents.

She also guested in an episode of Dear Uge with Pokwang. She started a YouTube channel in July 2020, where she regularly posted vlogs with actor and YouTuber Mygz Molino. The channel had garnered 500,000 subscribers by the time of her death in August 2021.

Mahal featured in the 2021 television series Owe My Love.

Weeks prior to her death in August 2021, Mahal received public attention for her reunion with Mura. One of her vlogs showed a behind-the-scenes look at her last TV appearance on Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, where she visited Mura Apart from visiting Mura, Mahal provided some words of encouragement, groceries, and cash.

Love life and rumored romances Mahal became the subject of controversy involving her romantic life. She named Salazar as the most "plastic" person she met in showbiz. She did not comment any further on Salazar when he decided to marry his boyfriend in March 2015 after coming out as gay. At that time, Mahal was in a relationship with Jimmy Navarro, a widower. Mahal said that she was happily in love with her new husband and she asked Aries Navarro to leave her alone, to move on and be happy for her. She also said that she felt used by Aries Navarro. However, after two years of being together, Mahal and Hebrio decided to split up. However, in 2017, Mahal was rumored to have a new boyfriend, Sam Jacinto. She also candidly disclosed that she had a crush on her Owe My Love co-star Joaquin Manansala. However, she maintained her professionalism at work.

Mahal lived in Tanauan with Mygz Molino, an indie film actor. She had already lived with him in Marikina City, and after the taping of Owe My Love, Molino decided to live in his hometown Tanauan with Mahal. But before Molino decided to bring Mahal with him, he asked the permission of her mother and siblings. However, some unknown relative did not approve of Mahal and Molino's tandem, accusing Molino of using Mahal for the vlog views to generate income. Mahal defended her decision to be with Molino. Mahal and Molino had first met in a show in Abra in 2010. Previously, Mahal was rumored to be interested in Jed Salang, the former husband of delas Alas. Her grandmother gave her the nickname "Mahal", which later became her stage name in her career.

Rosanna Roces, Inday Garutay, Brenda Mage, were among the first celebrities to mourn for Mahal. Owe My Love co-stars and close friends Ai-Ai delas Alas and Kiray Celis were surprised to know of the sudden demise of Mahal. Netizens and other celebrities took to social media to express their grief. When Mura found out about her death, he was in disbelief at first and dismissed the reports as fake news. Mahal and Mura were a former on-screen tandem for almost two decades.

Her remains were cremated in Batangas. After her cremation, her family brought her urn to the Santuario de San Vicente de Paul Shrine in Quezon City.

Filmography Film Year Title Role 1989 Last Two Minutes 1990 Small and Terrible Flower Girl (uncredited) 1991 Anak ni Janice 1997 Kokey Kokey 2003 Mr. Suave Rico Suave's mother Utang ng Ama Nuno sa punso 2007 Pasukob Flower Girl 2010 Shake, Rattle and Roll 12 the Mamanyiika (uncredited) 2012 Id'Nal (Mapusok) Aling Belen 2013 Gigolo

Television Year Title Role 1988 Eye to Eye HerselfLunch DateHerself 1998–2005 MTB Herself (co-host) 2000 Idol Ko si Kap 2004 Bahay Mo Ba 'To? 2005 SiS 2006 John En Shirley 2012 Gandang Gabi, Vice! Herself (guest) Sarah G. Live Herself 2013 Toda Max Isabelita Banana Nite (Ihaw Na! segment) Herself Face the People Herself 2014–2016 Ismol Family Big Boss 2015–2016 #ParangNormal Activity Tiyanak / Nuno Girl 2017 Full House Tonight Various 2019–2020 One of the Baes Queen Floribeth Higantes 2020 Tunay na Buhay Herself2021 Owe My Love Mini Divi Dear Uge Dyosa The Boobay and Tekla Show Herself (guest) Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho Herself (last TV appearance)

Discography