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| Dina Bonnevie |
In a world where even the greatest beauties do come and go,
one image continues to linger despite the passing of time. Dina Bonnevie may
have reached her peak and passed her prime, yet, to this day, she remains one
of the most iconic actresses ever to grace the Philippine cinema. Perhaps, none
could outdo, let alone match the bida-contrabida
portrayals which she showcased in most of her films. Indeed, it is easy to grab
the audience’s pity by playing helpless heroines, so much more endure the
enmity of the masses by being the villain. But then, not all are gifted enough
to play both roles all in one film. That’s acting the Dina Bonnevie style.
Famed for her exotic beauty that endures to this day, Bonnevie is equally
praised for her intelligence and quick wit, an attribute that not too many of
her contemporaries, or even stars of succeeding generations, are not quite
known for.
Birth and Childhood
Dina was born Geraldine Schaer Bonnie on January 27, 1962.
She comes from an illustrious background of French , Italian and Swiss families.
His father, Honesto Bonnevie was of French and Spanish descent, while her
mother, Jeannette Schaer, hails from Switzerland. In fact, Dina and her
children actually holds Swiss nationality. On the paternal side, Dina’s great
grandfather, Don Jose Pedro Bonnevie, was a half-French, half-Italian settler
who came to Bicol and eventually amassed a huge track of land.
Dina must have inherited the love of acting from her
grandmother, Rosita Rivera, who was a pre-war movie actress and was a huge hit
in such films as Makiling, Namumukod na
Bituin, Kalbaryo ng Isang Ina, Monghita, Ikaw ang Dahilan, Ang Magmamani and Bago Lumubog ang Araw.
She spent her elementary years at St. Theresa’s College in
Manila, although she moved to St. Agnes’ Academy in Legazpi City, where she
finished her basic education. There, she had her first experience in acting after
she joined the school’s drama guilds. In 1980, Dina decided to pursue
Communication Arts. She enrolled at Ateneo de Manila University and later
transferred to the University of the Philippines.
Early Years in Acting
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| Dina Bonnevie plays one of the leads in Temptation Island. |
Before Dina started out in show business, she was originally
a beauty title-holder, winning first runner up in the search for Miss Magnolia
in 1979. In an interview with radio hosts Chris Tsuper and Nicole Hyala, Dina
revealed that she really had no plans of joining the contest. It was actually
her sister who was one of the contestants. Somebody noticed her unique beauty and
convinced her to join. And as they say, the rest is history. She ended up
landing an exclusive contract with Regal Films.
Eventually, her would-be leading man Alfi Anido introduced her
to Joey Gosiengfao, who cast her in teen dramas, namely Underage (1980) and Temptation
Island (1980). The latter became one of the major hits of the 1980s.
Although initially criticized for being campy, the film was praised as a “cult
classic,” and is perhaps considered “one of the most hilarious Filipino films
ever made,” that “dares to expose complex themes,” and “leave[s] [the audience]
howling in laughter and tears.” In the film, Dina managed to hold her own
despite being a newcomer. She easily got noticed for her beauty, even though
she was pegged against more prominent beauty queens of the day.
One of the initial hurdles that Dina had to surpass was
learning how to speak Tagalog. Being raised by an English-speaking household,
Dina would recall that even her nanny had to speak in English, no matter how thick her accent was. Whenever
caught speaking the local language, Dina and her siblings would be fined. Eventually, the
actress realized that if she wanted her career to go on better mileage, she needed to
learn Tagalog. She would tell that she used to devour on Tagalog komiks and she was forced to speak in
Tagalog at set. Dina eventually introduced the fad of colegiala taglish (Tagalog-English) one-liners such as "kadiri
to death," "kilig to the bones," "yuck” and "you're so
baduy," which became associated with her.
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| Dina Bonnevie topbills Katorse. |
But Dina’s breakthrough came until after she was cast as the
innocent country lass, opposite Gabby Concepcion and Alfi Anido in Katorse, where she fell in love with her
childhood friend and eventually got pregnant. The film was a huge hit and
propelled her not only as one of the “Regal Babies” (named after Regal Films,
the movie outfit), a status which she shared with then-studio queens Maricel
Soriano and Snooki Serna, but it also
made her one of the hottest stars of the 1980s. Then followed a slew of teeny-bopper
and coming-of-age films like Age Doesn’t
Matter (1981), Bakit Ba Ganyan
(1981) and Tender Age (1984). Dina recorded first and only studio album Bakit
Ba Ganyan (1981). Released by OctoArts International, the album hit gold. She
has also recorded a slapstick comedy ballad titled “Upakan” with Joey de Leon
and she performed live on a primetime TV in the 80s.
However, Dina’s newfound fame had to be cut short after she
married comedian Vic Sotto. The young actress was easily smitten by the charm
and charisma of one of the country’s top comedians. Their marriage announcement surprised both their their fans and the Philippine movie industry in general. Dina had to shift her attention from being a celebrity to being a wife and eventually being a mother to Danica (born 1982) and Oyo Boy Sotto (born 1984). In fact, during the first years of their marriage, they were the it couple of Philippine showbiz. Eventually, the
marriage ended and Dina decided to regain her aborted fame as an actress.
Critical and Commercial Success
It would be very difficult for anyone to start over, so much
more to resume a halted career with two kids to raise. But Dina persisted and
went on. Dina’s comeback vehicle was Hindi
Nahahati ang Langit (1985). Dina Bonnevie, the actress, has finally arrived.
She was cast as Christopher de Leon’s wife who committed suicide after becoming
the recipient of an unrequited love.
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| Tinik sa Dibdib |
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| Dina Bonnevie wins the Famas for best supporting actress for her role in Tinik sa Dibdib. |
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| Dina Bonnevie with fellow Famas winners. |
It would be remembered that by the time that Dina received
the role, she was fresh from her separation from Vic Sotto. That must be the
reason why such a gush of emotional overflew from the actress. After winning
the awards, Dina’s career began to go uphill and more critically acclaimed
roles followed.
Her next foray into dramatic acting was the 1985 drama Palimos ng Pag-ibig, where she played
the role of Ditas, Vilma Santos and Edu Manzano’s young and alluring baby
maker. The movie was famous for Vilma Santos’ tagline: “Para kang karinderyang bukas sa lahat ng gustong kumain!” in reference to Ditas’ work as a
prostitute.
That same year, she was featured in the Sharon Cuneta- Gabby
Concepcion starrer Pati Ba Pintig ng Puso.
still.JPG) |
| Dina Bonnevie plays Nida Blanca's role in Magdusa Ka. |
.jpg) |
| Dina Bonnevie topbills Magdusa Ka |
stilla.JPG) |
| Dina Bonnevie, who wins numerous best actress awards for Magdusa Ka, with costar Pinky Amador. |
With Sharon Cuneta and Cherrie Gil, she topbilled Sana’y Wala nang Wakas, which tells the
story of three friends who were connected by music, divided by fame, but were
eventually reconnected together after reaching their lowest ebbs and finding
out that their strength comes from friendship.
In 1987, Dina joined the cast of Maging Akin Ka Lamang, where she portrayed the role of Elsa, Christopher
de Leon’s wife who had to fight her way against Lorna Tolentino’s bratty role just
to keep the man of her life and reclaim her long-lost child. The film garnered
her another nomination for best supporting actress from the Filipino Academy of
Movie Arts and Sciences.
In 1988, Dina played the role of Desiree, the club dancer,
who fell in love with Gabby Concepcion in Paano
Tatakasan ang Bukas (1988).
Dina had the opportunity to showcase her skills in an
international project, after appearing in A
Dangerous Life, the English-language Australian film about the final years
of the Marcos dictatorship, the assassination of Benigno Aquino, Jr. and the
People Power Revolution in 1986. Although Dina’s role as Celie Balamo was
uncredited, her performance eventually received critical acclaim.
In 1989, Dina sizzled in Ang
Babaeng Nawawala sa Sarili, a critically acclaimed performance as the sweet
lass possessed by Cherie Gil’s character.
In Lahat ng Ito Pati
na ang Langit, she played one of Susan Roces’ models who bore the latter’s
adopted child and eventually brought misery into her life.
Another dramatic performance of the year where in Dahil Minsan Lang and Kung Kasalanan Man, the latter earning
her another nomination from FAMAS for best actress. Here’ she played the role
of an innocent wife who was caught in a web of evil spun by the people she loved.
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| Dina Bonnevie in Gumapang ka sa Lusak. |
In Bakit Kay Tagal ng
Sandali (1990), Dina played a Julio Diaz’s girlfriend who will do
everything for him, to the extent of marrying an old man to grab his wealth.
In 1991, she scored another critically acclaimed performance
for her role as the television commentator who turned blind on the evil deeds
of her politician-benefactor. She once again bagged nominations for best
actress from FAMAS, FAP and Urian.
In Tag-Araw Tag-Ulan,
she played the role of a woman who was running away from a broken relationship.
Huwag Mong Salingin
ang Sugat saw Dina Bonnevie team up once again with Christopher de Leon,
where the plot centers on leprosy.
In 1992, she once again portrayed the-other-woman role in Akin ang Pangarap Mo, causing havoc on Dawn
Zulueta and Richard Gomez’s love affair.
In Hanggang Saan
Hanggan Kailan (1993), Dina portrayed as Alix Dixson and Vina Morales’ mean-spirited
sister.
1994 saw her appear in the comedy film, Hindi Pa Tapos ang Labada Darling opposite former husband Vic
Sotto. The couple eventually re-teamed in 2000 in Bakit Ba Ganyan (Ewan ko nga ba Darling).
Dina also appeared on a slew of true-to-life films,
including Ka Hector, Minsan May Pangarap:
The Guce Family Story, and Eskapo
(all 1995).
In 2000, she starred in the religious-family drama Tanging Yaman, where she played the role
of Grace, Gloria Romero’s daughter who ran away with the man she loved, only to
come back after her mother became ill. Her performance scored a nomination for best
supporting actress from the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino.
Her other notable films during this decade included American Adobo (2002), where she was
cast as a social butterfly, Bridal Shower
(2003) where, together with Cherrypie Picache and Francine Prieto, she appeared
as an advertising executive in frantic search for the perfect guy, and Noon and Ngayon, where her character
became Jericho Rosales’ love interest.
Film Slow Down and TV Series
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| Dina Bonnevie in May Bukas Pa. |
In 2001, she was featured in GMA-7’s Ikaw Lamang ang Mamahalin as the series’ antagonist, Martina. Another
villain role came her in Narito ang Puso
Ko (2003), when as Jolina Magdangal’s aunt, she hatched plans to grab the
family’s wealth.
In 2004, she accepted the offer in ABS-CBN to play the role
of Sofia, Kris Aquino’s domineering and ambitious sister in Hiram. The show was a consistent top
rater in the primetime block and lasted until 2005. In 2006, Dina went on a
hiatus and went to the U.S. for business purposes, coming back in 2007 to lend
her acting in the Piolo Pascual-Claudine Barretto starrer Walang Kapalit. She played Claudine’s mother who fell in love and
married Piolo Pascual’s father, played by Edu Manzano.
As the 2000s progressed, most of Dina’s hits in the 1980s
were remade into TV series. This included
Katorse (1980), Tinik sa Dibdib (1985), Palimos ng Pag-ibig (1985), Magdusa Ka (1986), Maging Akin Ka Lamang (1987), and Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak (1990), while her roles were portrayed by
Erich Gonzales (2009), Michelle Madrigal (2009), Kristine Hermosa (2007),
Katrina Halili (2008), Nadine Samonte (2008) and Jennylyn Mercado (2009),
respectively.
Ironically, Dina also starred on several film-to-TV
reprisals. She played Marita Zobel’s role as the long-suffering mother in Natutulog Ba ang Diyos (2007). In 2008,
she returned to GMA-7 to play Evita, the tough-hearted matriarch in search of
her long lost daughter in Babangon Ako’t
Dudurugin Kita. In 2012, she played Sharon Cuneta’s role in the TV sequel
of the hit motion picture P.S. I Love You.
Dina’s most memorable TV role was perhaps May Bukas Pa (2009), a loose adaptation
of the critically-acclaimed Spanish film, Marcelino
Pan y Vino. In an interview with PEP, Dina claimed that she was elated to have
received the offer since not all the time one is invited to star in a show that
gives honor to God. Dina was cast as the power-hungy and ambition-driven Malena,
Albert Martinez’ wife, whose role was haunted by her past after she
accidentally pushed Chin-Chin Guttierez’s character off to the cliff, which, killed
her, and the subsequent abandonment of her baby in the cemetery. Dina’s role
eventually eased from being mean to becoming the repentant, thanks to the
miraculous hands and touching heart of the show’s child lead, Santino (Zaijian Jaranilla).
Dina’s role was well-received, but she had to quit the show in the midst of the
plot due to ill-health. The series was a runaway winner in the ratings game and
it eventually became the most awarded TV series during its run.
Dina also appeared in a number of episodes in the country’s
longest running drama anthology, Maalaala
Mo Kaya. Among the roles she portrayed included the poverty-stricken mother
of the boy who suffered from brain tumor in the episode “Poon.” The story
evolved on the family’s fervent prayers that miraculously healed the sick child.
In 2012, she appeared in the episode “Flower Shop,” which tells the story of a vendor
and mother of 12 who was compelled to face up to the trials, deaths and teen
pregnancy that befell her family.
Business World
In an interview with the Philippine
Daily Inquirer way back in 2005, Dina quipped that an actress’ beauty and
image will have to eventually fade. “Show biz is not a permanent thing,” she
said. “As they say, when lines begin to show and waistlines begin to grow, you
are good to go. So I made sure I would be in another business before I totally disappear
from show biz.”
Dina’s foray into business ventures followed shortly after
her career went on a hiatus in the early 80s. She started to a production
outfit called White Wings which backed numerous concerts and TV specials.
"It was her first taste of dealing with prima donnas and soliciting
corporate sponsorships." She later ran an employment agency named
Transtar, which hired cabin crews and entertainers for luxury ships.
Then, there's her shipping business, which she opened in
1992. A friend convinced her to venture out in this industry and she admitted that it's always difficult to start anew. "I didn't know anything
about shipping, but then they said, “madali
lang matutunan 'yan…and then eventually, you know, I got the knack of
it," she said in an interview with Philippine Entertainment Portal. To
gear herself up with the intricacies of the trade, she had to go to Singapore
to study and earn a certificate from the International Standardization Organization, one requirement for her business.
Dina also entered the export business. Her company carried a
line of products which included placemats, hats, and bags made of native materials
like abaca. Meanwhile, her handmade door latches were highly in demand in UK.
From this, her interest in another field sprang--telecommunications. Her web
designer was the one who introduced her to VOIP (voice over internet protocol).
Dina started using the product to communicate with her family abroad. She started doing testimonials until in 2004, she was asked to join
and become the firm's partner. She eventually became vice-president for
International and Business Development and in just one year, she was able to
expand the business in most Southeast Asian countries and even in UK.
Dina prides that it was actually her company that introduced VOIP in the
Philippines. "When nobody knew what VOIP was, we were already doing VOIP. Wala pang Skype, 'di pa alam ng tao kung ano ang Skype. Wala pa ang Skype talaga,
nauna na kami dito," she mentions.
But problems began when officials in the government
started to harass her. "Some people in the government made problems for
us. I don't want to go back there anymore. Malungkot
yung kwento na 'yon, so I was forced to leave because some people just want
to get the business and grab it from us, just because they are in power,"
Dina narrated. Eventually, Dina went to the U.S., where she stayed for almost a
year. There, she was absorbed by Fusion Telecommunications and was appointed as
the firms's director for overseas market development. Her tasked involved "developing
strategic VoIP business opportunities for Fusion within the Philippines and the
global Filipino community."
In a press release, she said: "I am excited to join
Fusion and to be a part of the next evolution of VoIP.
"After many years of working in the global Filipino
community, I believe Fusion's revolutionary VoIP services and the introduction
of the Worldwide Internet Area Code(TM) will bring tremendous value to
Filipinos around the world. In addition, I believe in Fusion's vision and know
that our efonica brand of advanced VoIP services will provide significant value
to all of our consumer and business customers who communicate to, from, in, and
between emerging markets worldwide," she added.
She eventually returned to the Philippines to open her own
VOIP business.
"It's difficult. I would always attend the conferences
in Dubai, and then they would wonder, 'What is a woman doing in
telecommunications?' The same thing people would say if I attend shipping
conferences, 'What is a woman doing in shipping?'
"So I would say, 'Great, an icing on the cake! Would
you imagine, without women in telecommunications, it would probably so boring.
So good thing there are people like us who do the marketing, and we are the
ones who close the deal.”
She added: "I think women are better in marketing than
men are. Because it is very hard to say no to a woman when a woman is trying to
close a deal!"
And because of her busy schedule, Dina would admit that she
really did not have much time to socialize on the set.
"There are times when shooting brings us to
a sugar plantation in Tarlac, for instance, and I panic when I am told there
are no longer Internet facilities," she recalled. "But in places where there are and it is
taking long for the camera people to set up, I head for the nearest Internet
cafe... when I'm, in my costume... There are always business details to attend
to, so I spend those hours of waiting going through my e-mail and answering
them." Such a dedication and professionalism!
Dina credits her success in the business world to her
popularity as an actress. "You have more persuasive power in business if
you are known in show biz," she said. However, Dina emphasized that she
knows how to draw the line between "camaraderie and exchange deals."
Dina also claimed that "what she earned [as a
businesswoman] in four month I can earn for four taping days." But the
good thing is, she would invest her earning back and she pays her employee in
dollars.
Perhaps, one virtue that keeps her succeeding as an actress
and as a business woman is patience. "The patience I acquired waiting for
other starts to show up and for the cameras to grind has proven to be an asset.
I have met a lot of prospective buyers and investors who can bully you out of
your wits but I've kept my cool. Good memory--honed by memorizing a lot of
scripts--has helped, too. I [know by heart the] corporate laws in Japan and
Singapore."
On her work principles, she said: "My motto in life is
to strive for the best and never settle for mediocrity. My dad always said that
work badly done is better than work undone. That's why I strive to do my best
in every endeavor."
After Dina’s marriage to Vic Sotto ended (they are good
friends now), Dina tied the knot with Dick Penson, although the marriage ended
in separation. In 2012, Ms D. married Ilocos Sur vice-governor Deogracias
Victor Savellano.
The Divine Ms D
One article online labeled Ms D as the “Other” Movie Queen. But I say, she is a Movie Queen and that's beyond any reasonable doubt. Try
to cast her opposite an actress of her same stature and you’ll know what I mean.
She has proven her mettle many times over and more than held her own even when
she was put on an acting showdown with Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Sharon Cuneta,
Lorna Tolentino or Maricel Soriano. In today’s filmdom, no one could portray “bida-kontrabida”
the Dina Bonnevie-way. Yes, there’s the promising Angelica Pangiban who makes
her mark in that manner, but I guess, Ms D
would also be a genuine trendsetter.
Ever honest and never the hypocrite, she continues to
receive both praises and criticism for her straight-to-the point manner of
answering questions, demystifying rumors and disclaiming controversies. Well,
that’s the way it is. That’s why I am true blooded Dinanian… FOR LIFE!
Sources and additional readings:
Dina Bonnevie manages time between two careers by Glen
Sibonga http://www.pep.ph/news/20690/dina-bonnevie-manages-time-between-two-careers
Dina Bonnevie plays businesswoman for real by Pablo Tariman,
Philippine Daily Inquirer Jan. 5, 2015
Dina Bonnevie rises to challenge of handling a
telecommunications and shipping business by Nica Tomines http://www.pep.ph/spotlight/starbiz/23348/dina-bonnevie-rises-to-challenge-of-handling-a-telecommunications-and-shipping-business
Dina Bonnevie says son Oyo Sotto and future daughter-in-law
Kristine Hermosa have prepared themselves for marriage by Roy Pumaloy http://www.pep.ph/news/27761/dina-bonnevie-says-son-oyo-sotto-and-future-daughter-in-law-kristine-hermosa-have-prepared-themselves-for-marriage
Dina Bonnevie wants to conduct workshops for actresses who
do remakes of her old films by Joselyn Jimenez, http://www.pep.ph/news/31958/dina-bonnevie-wants-to-conduct-workshops-for-actresses-who-do-remakes-of-her-old-films
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