Therese Malvar

Therese Martin Alcala Malvar (born September 16, 2000), occasionally credited as Teri Malvar, is a Filipino actress known for her performances in independent films. She gained recognition for her debut in Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita, earning the Best Actress award at the 1st CineFilipino Film Festival at age 13. Malvar has since received multiple acting honors, both locally and internationally.

Early life and education Malvar was born Therese Martin Alcala Malvar on September 16, 2000. She is the daughter of stage and independent film actress Cherry Malvar. Malvar is also the third great-granddaughter of two Philippine heroes, General Miguel Malvar and Dr. José Rizal.

She made her film debut in Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita after joining her mother at an audition at age 12, with no formal acting training prior to the project.

While filming Inagaw na Bituin, Malvar continued her high school studies and graduated as class salutatorian. In June 2024, she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Video from MINT College.

Career Malvar made her film debut at age 13 in Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita. In the film, she played the titular character, a 12-year-old girl who falls in love with an older woman. For her performance, she won Best Actress at the inaugural CineFilipino Film Festival, becoming the youngest recipient of the award. She earned the distinction over veteran nominees, including Nora Aunor. She also received a nomination for Best Actress at the 37th Gawad Urian Awards, New Movie Actress of the Year at the 30th PMPC Star Awards for Movies, and Best Breakthrough Performance by an Actress at the 11th Golden Screen Awards.

In 2015, Malvar portrayed the role of Jinky in Hamog, a role that earned her multiple local and international awards, including Best Actress at the 40th Moscow International Film Festival. In 2017, the Film Development Council of the Philippines awarded her with the Artistic Excellence Award. She also starred in the horror film Ilawod as the titular malicious water spirit. The following year, she tied with herself for the Best Supporting Actress award at the 14th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival for her roles in School Service and Distance,

In 2019, Malvar portrayed the lead role of Ariela Lopez in the drama series Inagaw na Bituin, a role that allowed her to showcase her singing talents. In 2022, she portrayed Cynthia in the film Broken Blooms.

In 2023, she starred in the socio-political film, Oras de Peligro. Malvar was also among the selected Philippine delegates for the ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards. In November, she made her Regal Studio Presents debut with the episode, "Baddest Best Friend".

Personal life Since June 2026, Malvar has been engaged to filmmaker Jaime Morados.

Filmography Films

Television

Producer Year Title Notes 2025 Food Delivery Associate producer

Accolades Film and television awards Award Year Category Nominated work Result CineFilipino Film Festival 2013 Best Actress Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita 14th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2018 Best Supporting Actress Distance School Service Cinema One Originals 2015 Best Actress Hamog CinePanalo Film Festival 2024 Best Actress (Panalong Aktres) Pushcart Tales Best Ensemble (Panalong Ensemble) The EDDYs 2018 Best Supporting Actress Ilawod 17th Gawad Tanglaw Awards 2019 Best Supporting Actress School Service Mokkho International Film Festival 2022 Critics Choice Award for Best Actress in an Indie Broken Blooms 38th Moscow International Film Festival 2016 Silver St. George Best Actress Hamog 15th New York Asian Film Festival 2016 Screen International Rising Star Asia Award Northern Virginia International Film and Music Festival 2018 Best Actress - Feature Film Gasping for Air PMPC Star Awards for Movies 2014 New Movie Actress of the Year Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita 2018 Movie Supporting Actress of the Year Ilawod 2019 Movie Supporting Actress of the Year Distance 2024 Movie Actress of the Year Broken Blooms Movie Love Team of the Year 2025 Indie Movie Ensemble Acting of the Year Pushcart Tales PMPC Star Awards for Television 2025 Best Single Performance by An Actress Magpakailanman: Bayad Utang Saskatchewan International Film Festival 2022 Best Lead Actress Broken Blooms Shanghai International Festival 2016 Outstanding Artistic Achievement Golden Goblet Award Hamog 7th Urduja Heritage Film Awards 2020 Best Young Actress Distance

Honors and state recognition Organization Year Award/Honor Result Film Development Council of the Philippines 2017 Artistic Excellence Award Inquirer Indie Bravo! 2016 Award of Distinction National Commission for Culture and the Arts 2017 Ani ng Dangal – Cinema