We watched Katrina Halili fight for her showbusiness dreams in the reality artista search, Starstuck with GMA Network almost two decades ago. She was then a young teenager, awkward at times but gave her best despite losing to the ultimate survivor – Jennylyn Mercado.
It turns out that better things are made for her. She has been signed up in different roles – playing an impressive acting duality, both for antagonists and protagonists characters. With her almost two decades worth of acting under her belt, we can say that she was built to last in this tough industry.
Now that our girl Katrina is starting another fresh year wiser, and older, let’s look back at her beginnings and see how far she’d come along – from that teenager to the strong and resilient woman she is now.
BEGINNINGS
Maria Katrina Iren Pe Halili was born on January 4, 1986 in Quezon City, Philippines. She is of Filipino-Chinese descent from her mother Marilou Pe Halili. She has a bother – Ian Halili. In 2012, she gave birth to her only child Katrence Lawrence Halili Cadevida, with her now ex-boyfriend, the Filipino-American singer Kris Lawrence.
STARSTRUCK AND EARLY CAREER
Katrina joined the talent star reality television show Starstruck in 2003 at the GMA Network. Although she was not proclaimed the ultimate winner, it launched her career in showbusiness. After her eviction from the show, she started her showbiz career by appearing on a number of Kapuso shows.
Her first television drama was with the series Joyride which also stars her co-Starstruck members Cogie Domingo, JC DeVera, Mark Herras, Jennylyn Mercado, Sheena Halili and Yasmien Kurdi. She played the supporting role of Vicki. Later on she appeared as the antagonist of Jennylyn Mercado in Forever in my Heart. She later on appeared on fantaseryes like Darna, Majika and Lupin.
BREAKTHROUGH
Among her villain roles, playing the role of Black Darna in Darna where she was pitted against Angel Locsin opened a lot of opportunities for her. She became the hottest Pinay celebrity.
After playing numerous supporting roles, she finally got her breakthrough when she starred as Angelika Santibañez in the Philippine remake of the super popular television series Marimar in 2007. Her performance in the role made her extremely famous, opening more doors of opportunities for her. She was given her first lead acting role in 2008 in the drama series Magdusa Ka, portraying the good and headstrong character of Christine.
In 2009, she was back to play another antagonist role in the super popular television series, Darna (Marian Rivera). She played the very convincing role of a snake woman and the primary rival of the heroine Darna. Katrina played another antagonist role in the drama series, Beauty Queen which stars Iza Calzado and Maggie Wilson. Due to her effective portrayal of antagonistic villains, she has been dubbed in 2017 as the “Primera Kontrabida of the Philippines”.
FHM MAGAZINE’S SEXIEST WOMAN REIGN
During the early parts of her career, she has been gracing numerous magazines left and right, highly popular due to her sexy image. In fact she is the first Starstruck alumna who was ranked the first in the FHM Philippines’ 100 Sexiest list. She also holds the record for the first Filipina celebrity to won that title two times in a row. Her popularity allowed her to become the cover girl for four years so far – 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2015.
CURRENT PROJECTS
She currently plays the role of Lilian Madreal- Claveria in the television series Prima Donnas. It stars Jillian Ward, Althea Ablan and Sofia Pablo and is directed by Gina Alajar.
Katrina also runs her personal Youtube channel that she started eight months ago. It features her in her professional life such as behind the scene taping clips and vacation with other cast members. It also features her personal life such as things she does with her daughter Katrence and her personal recipes.
This January 4, Katrina turns 35! To our iconic, badass and favorite kontrabida in numerous television dramas that made us happy, happy birthday!
