Diana Zubiri

Filipina actress (born 1985) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rosemarie Joy Garcia-Smith (born April 15, 1985), better known by her stage name Diana Zubiri, is a Filipina actress. She began her acting career in the early 2000s when she starred in various erotic movies produced by Seiko Films. She is widely recognized for her role as Danaya in the 2005 fantasy drama series Encantadia.

Quick Facts Born, Nationality ...
Diana Zubiri
Born
Rosemarie Joy Garcia

(1985-04-15) April 15, 1985 (age 40)
Bulacan, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
OccupationActress
Years active2002–present
Known forDanaya in Encantadia
Carla Melendez in Bukas na Lang Kita Mamahalin
LilaSari in Encantadia (2016)
Isabel in D' Originals
Spouses
Alex Lopez
(m. 2008; died 2010)
Andy Smith
(m. 2015)
Children3
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Early life and education

Rosemarie Joy Garcia is born on April 15, 1985 in Bulacan, Philippines. When she was six or seven years old, her father abandoned their family. Since then, her mother at Olongapo, who maintained a sari-sari store, took care of them. The family later transferred to Fairview, Quezon City and rented a house, where she stayed during her younger years.[1] Her mother remarried[1] and bore a child that became her halfsister.[2]

Zubiri was a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo but later converted to Roman Catholicism during her early part of her show business career.[3] She finished with a theater arts degree at Miriam College.[4][5]

Career

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Perspective

Zubiri was discovered by Seiko Films at the age of 15, years after applying for work in Japan as an entertainer. She later starred in various sexy films produced by the company. Zubiri became well-known to the public in October 2002 when she posed atop the EDSA–Shaw flyover in Mandaluyong, wearing only a two-piece bikini for the men's magazine FHM Philippines. This photoshoot stirred controversy, leading the then-mayor of Mandaluyong, Benhur Abalos, to file charges against Zubiri and the magazine. However, the charges were later withdrawn following an apology.[6]

In 2003, she became a semi-regular host in the noontime show Eat Bulaga! which lasted until 2005.[7] She also became a mainstay on the long-running sketch-comedy show Bubble Gang until 2009.

Starting in 2005, she began taking on acting roles in various shows on GMA Network. Zubiri's major acting breakthrough came with the 2005 fantasy drama series Encantadia, where she portrayed Danaya, the diwata who holds the Jewel of the Earth.[8] She later reprised the role in the spin-offs Etheria and Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas. In 2007, Zubiri starred in the action-adventure series Asian Treasures alongside Angel Locsin and Robin Padilla.

When Seiko Films shut down in late 2007, Zubiri became a freelancer. By this time, she had retired from making adult-themed films, with her final one being in the film Silip alongside Polo Ravales and Francine Prieto. She appeared in her first Regal Films movie, Shake, Rattle & Roll X, a 34th Metro Manila Film Festival entry, and starred in One Night Only under OctoArts Films. She also appeared in the drama series Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita and Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan? during this period.

After a two-year absence from both film and television, Zubiri made her return in 2010 with the comedy fantasy series Jillian: Namamasko Po. The following year, she appeared in several drama series, including Nita Negrita and Amaya.[9]

In 2012, Zubiri signed a three-year exclusive contract with ABS-CBN. Notably, during her early career, she had applied multiple times to ABS-CBN's Talent Center before ultimately seeking opportunities in Japan. In March of that year, Zubiri won the Best Performer Award from the Young Critics Circle for her role in the indie film Bahay Bata, where she portrayed a nurse. The film also won the Jury Prize at the 2012 Deauville Asian Film Festival in France.[10]

In 2013, Zubiri joined the cast of the action-fantasy series Juan dela Cruz. Later that year, she starred in the drama series Bukas na Lang Kita Mamahalin alongside Gerald Anderson, Dawn Zulueta, and Cristine Reyes.

After her contract with ABS-CBN expired in 2015, she returned to GMA Network, where she appeared in episodes of Karelasyon and joined the cast of the 2015 remake of Marimar. In 2016, she portrayed one of the major antagonists in the remake of Encantadia, the series she first starred in 2005. She continued to take on supporting and guest roles in various GMA series, including D' Originals, Super Ma'am, Victor Magtanggol, Cain at Abel, Dragon Lady, and Beautiful Justice.

Zubiri took a brief hiatus from acting but made her return to television in 2025, joining the cast of the drama series Mga Batang Riles.[11]

Personal life

On May 10, 2015, Zubiri married Australian businessman-model Andy Smith in New Manila, Quezon City.[12][13] They have a daughter named Aliyah born on August 14, 2016.[14] After giving birth to her third child in 2020, Zubiri and her family moved to Adelaide, Australia where the couple run a talent agency for a global social live-streaming platform.[15]

Zubiri sold one of her souvenirs to Jayson Luzadas or Boss Toyo for $400 (₱23,417). The subject memorabilia is her donned bikini top and panties used in her controversial photo shoot at EDSA-Shaw flyover for FHM Philippines on October 2002.[16]

Filmography

Film

More information Year, Title ...
YearTitleRoleProducer
2002ItlogSallySeiko Films
BakatAnnie
KasipingRowena
2003LiberatedPauline
2004Liberated 2Fatima
2005Bikini OpenGail
2006I Wanna Be HappyTish
2007SilipTess
2008One Night Only[17][18]VivianOctoArts Films and Canary Films
Shake, Rattle & Roll XAcaciaRegal Entertainment
2011Ang Mundo ni Andong AgimatAlex
2012Bahay BataNurse SarahFound Films
2014SeparadosFive 2 Seven Entertainment Production and Alternative Vision Cinema
Feng Shui 2WomanStar Cinema and K Productions
2016Iadya Mo KamiBG Productions International
2019 Mystified Kathalina iflix, Sanggre Productions
2020In the Name of the MotherRowenaHeaven's Best Entertainment
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Television / Digital series

More information Year, Title ...
YearTitleRoleNotesNetwork
2003–2005Eat Bulaga!HerselfHostGMA Network
2003–2009Bubble GangMainstay
2005Perfect: An Eat Bulaga Lenten SpecialExtended Cast
EncantadiaSang'gre DanayaMain Cast
Wag Kukurap: Food Trip/CallerClaireLead Role
Wag Kukurap: Signs/ImmoralMarie
Bahay Mo Ba 'To?HerselfGuest Appearance
2005–2006Etheria: Ang Ikalimang Kaharian ng EncantadiaReyna DanayaLead Role
2006Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas
Ang PagbabagoHerselfHost
Now and Forever: LinlangDivina AgustinSupporting Cast
2007Asian TreasuresIngrid Vargas / UrdujaMain Cast
2007–2008Zaido: Pulis PangkalawakanCarmela Langit / Princess Arianna of Avea / Arianna Impostor
2008Babangon Ako't Dudurugin KitaJulie Maceda-San Juan
Sine Novela: Danny Zialcita's Gaano Kadalas Ang MinsanElsa Cervantes-AlmedaMain Cast / Antagonist
Dear FriendVarious RolesLead Role
2010–2011Jillian: Namamasko PoFrancine Sanchez
2011Nita NegritaDanicaSupporting Cast / Antagonist
FutbolilitsFlorentinaExtended Cast
Spooky Nights: ParolAyraLead Role
2011-2012AmayaKapidExtended Cast
2012Maalaala Mo Kaya: ApoyYoliLead RoleABS-CBN
Wansapanataym: Wansapana-RideMadelyn Versoza
2013Juan dela CruzPeru-ha / SaragnayanSupporting Cast / Primary Antagonist
Toda MaxAlexExtended Cast
Bukas na Lang Kita MamahalinCarla MelendezMain Cast / Anti-Hero / Protagonist
2014Ipaglaban Mo: Akin ang Asawa KoMarjorieLead Role
Home Sweetie HomeSusie SamonteMain Cast
2015Mac and ChizJayaGuest AppearanceTV5
Baker KingSonia San MiguelSupporting Cast
Wagas: Terry and Jonjon Love StoryTerryLead RoleGMA News TV
Karelasyon: CougarLaraGMA Network
Karelasyon: Status SymbolTrixie
2015–2016MarimarJulianna Corcuera-AldamaExtended Cast / Antagonist
2016Dear Uge: Faking GirlsLani De VeraLead Role
2016–2017EncantadiaLilaSariMain Cast / Antagonist / Protagonist
2017Magpakailanman: Justice for the Battered ChildLindaLead Role
Magpakailanman: OFW on Death RowSally Ordinario-Villanueva†
Karelasyon: Magnanakaw ng PusoMonet
D' OriginalsIsabel "Sabel" BuenaventuraExtended Cast / Antagonist / Protagonist
Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: Hans, Gretchen, and the WitchMamaSupporting Role
Wagas: GhostMayLead RoleGMA News TV
Tadhana: Ang Batang RefugeeMelindaGMA Network
Dear Uge: Gulaman of My DreamsMyrna
Super Ma'amGilda "Jill" MagpantayExtended Cast / Antagonist
Magpakailanman: Best Sisters ForeverLinsieLead Role
2018Magpakailanman: A Ghost From My PastJade
Wagas: Lola IskaIskaSupporting RoleGMA News TV
Stories for the Soul: Maghihintay ang Walang HangganLeilaLead RoleGMA Network
Victor MagtanggolFreyaSpecial Participation
Cain at AbelYoung PrecyGuest Cast / Antagonist
Tadhana: LinlangLeslieLead Role
2019Tadhana: Tatlong PanganayJoyce
Dragon LadyAlmira Sanchez-Atienza / Lavender Del FuegoSupporting Cast / Protagonist
Stories for the Soul: Uhaw na Tubig KathyLead Role
Dear Uge: Kalma Mama Maya
Beautiful JusticeAthena "Queen A" VergaraGuest Cast / Antagonist
Magpakailanman: YukiDebbieLead Role
2020Tadhana: Bayad DanyosRona
2024BblgangHerselfGuest Appearance
2025Mga Batang RilesMariana "Maying" AsuncionSupporting Cast / Protagonist
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Awards and recognition

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FHM ranking

Zubiri made her first appearance in FHM Philippines in June 2002 as one of the "Girls of FHM." Just six months later, she became a cover girl for the magazine, posing on the EDSA-Shaw Boulevard flyover. She appeared in an FHM calendar alongside Maui Taylor and Aubrey Miles. She also appeared in the FHM editions of Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia.[19]

In September 2014, Zubiri returned to the FHM cover for the fourth time as part of a special four-part series, alongside Rachel Anne Daquis, Myrtle Sarrosa, and Andrea Torres.[20]

For 14 consecutive years, Zubiri consistently ranked in the magazine's annual 100 Sexiest Women in the World list. She topped the list in 2003 where she was hailed the FHM Philippines' Sexiest Woman.

More information Year, Award ...
YearAwardCategoryResultWon by
2002FHM Philippines100 Sexiest Women of the WorldRanked # 90Assunta de Rossi
2003Ranked # 1 PH FinestHerself
2004Ranked # 3Cindy Kurleto
2005Ranked # 4Angel Locsin
2006Ranked # 4Katrina Halili
2007Ranked # 7Katrina Halili (2)
2008Ranked # 5Marian Rivera
2009Ranked # 13Cristine Reyes
2010Ranked # 16Angel Locsin (2)
2011Ranked # 23Sam Pinto
2012Ranked # 37Sam Pinto (2)
2013Ranked # 54Marian Rivera (2)
2014Ranked # 27Marian Rivera (3)
2015Ranked # 19Jennylyn Mercado
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Other awards

On June 27, 2012, Zubiri accepted her Young Critics Circle award for Best Performance at the ceremony held at the University of the Philippines.[21][4][22]

More information Year, Film Award/Critics ...
YearFilm Award/CriticsAward/Nomination/CategoryNominated WorkResult
2012 Young Critics Circle award Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role Bahay Bata Won
35th Gawad Urian Awards Best Actress Bahay Bata Nominated
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References

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