25 "Suking Nanay" in Pinoy Teleseryes

JANICE DE BELEN

From being a child star to a teen star to a TV host, Janice found a new niche in her career: playing important mother roles on TV.

Since she returned to acting in 2009, Janice has been a go-to actress for crucial mothers in teleseryes.

In GMA-7, she became the tolerating mother of Iwa Moto's Valentina in Darna (2009), the mean nanay to Marian Rivera in Endless Love (2010), and the missing mother of Heart Evangelista in Dwarfina (2011).

Meanwhile, in ABS-CBN, she is known for being the affectionate surrogate mother of Gerald Anderson in Budoy (2011), the domineering, selfish mother of Maja Salvador and Kim Chiu in Ina Kapatid Anak (2012), the nurturing mommy of Marlo Mortel in Oh My G! (2015), and the positive nanay of Erich Gonzales in Be My Lady (2016).

Currently, Janice plays the artistic and supportive mother of Maine Mendoza in Destined To Be Yours.

SYLVIA SANCHEZ

Unlike other mothers in this list, Sylvia often played moms whom we would never want in real life. In the early 2000s, at least.

Would you want to have a berating, screaming, and violent mother like Celia in Esperanza (1997) who would always leave you black and blue? This is what she did to her daughter, played by Judy Ann Santos.

Or would you rather choose a drunkard, self-destructive mother like Lani in Mundo Man Ay Magunaw (2012), who would always make you feel worthless, which is what she did to the character of Empress?

Sylvia touched viewers' hearts when she played the softspoken, supportive mom of Jodi Sta. Maria in Be Careful With My Heart (2012).

Sylvia later on played Angelica's handicapped mother in Pangako Sa 'Yo (2015), Ketchup Eusebio's funny nanay in Ningning (2015), and Dominic Ochoa's optimistic mother in My Super D (2016).

Her track record earned her a milestone in her career. She was tapped as the lead in the recently-concluded drama series The Greatest Love where she brought life to Mama Gloria.

SUNSHINE CRUZ

Since she returned to acting in 2013, Sunshine has always been tapped to play the mother of lead characters in teleseryes.

She became the loving mother to Ejay Falcon and Arjo Atayde in Dugong Buhay (2013), the strict but nurturing mama to Andi Eigenmann in Galema: Anak ni Zuma (2013), the always affectionate mommy to Alex Gonzaga and Yen Santos in Pure Love (2014), and the apologetic but compassionate mom to Liza Soberano in Dolce Amore (2016).

Sunshine is currently cast as the once-loving-turned-vengeful "inay" to Maja Salvador's Ivy character in the ABS-CBN drama series Wildflower.

LOTLOT DE LEON

Lotlot has been a go-to actress for mother roles on television.

In fact, she did a mix of kind and evil mothers in her teleseryes from all three networks: ABS-CBN, GMA, and TV5.

Some of the teleseryes where she played mom to lead characters were in: Kambal Sa Uma (2009), Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak (2010), Koreana (2010), Nita Negrita (2011), The Sisters (2011), Glamorosa (2011), Aryana (2012), Juan Dela Cruz (2013), Kambal Sirena (2014), Hiram na Alaala (2014), My Mother's Secret (2015), and Juan Happy Love Story (2016).

Currently, she plays the loving, supportive mother of Alden Richards in Destined To Be Yours.

JACLYN JOSE

Before she became known as a playful kontrabida, Jaclyn was first regarded as the affectionate mother in teleseryes.

This was because of her remarkable role in the 1997 series Mula sa Puso as Magda Trinidad, the missing mother of Claudine Barretto who had a scarred face.

Jaclyn played another "ulirang ina" role in GMA-7's Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga (2002), this time to Tanya Garcia. Jaclyn almost sported the same look she had in Mula sa Puso, where her character was diagnosed with leprosy.

She would resume playing kind-hearted mother roles in the shows Te Amo: Maging Sino Ka Man (2004), SCQ Reload: Ok Ako! (2004), Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin (2005), May Minamahal (2006), and Prinsesa ng Banyera (2007).

In 2008, the Cannes award-winning actress started portraying villainous mother roles, mainly in the shows Dyosa (2008), Zorro (2009), Nagsimula sa Puso (2009), and Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo (2010). She also had a kind-hearted mother role in Reputasyon, aired in 2011.

Her feisty mother roles became more evident in GMA-7 shows, mainly in Mundo Mo'y Akin (2013), Carmela (2014), Marimar (2015), and The Millionaire's Wife (2016).

Currently, she plays the affectionate but "palabang nanay" in D' Originals. She is also set to reprise her devoted mother role to Dingdong Dantes in Alyas Robin Hood once it airs its second chapter this year.

JEAN GARCIA

Jean became known as a kontrabida after her most talked-about role in Pangako Sa 'Yo (2000) as Claudia Buenavista, the doting mother of Jericho Rosales.

However, after a few kontrabida roles, ABS-CBN decided to cast her as the mentally-challenged but kind mother of Bea Alonzo in It Might Be You (2003).

Jean continued to take on this kind of roles when she transferred to GMA.

She played mom to the characters of Marian Rivera in Dyesebel (2008), Louise delos Reyes in Alakdana (2011), Kris Bernal in Time of My Life (2011), Alden Richards in One True Love (2012), Kim Rodriguez in Kakambal ni Eliana (2013), and Kylie Padilla in Adarna (2013).

There were also a few times where she would play kontrabida moms, like in the teleseryes Impostora (2007) and Stairway To Heaven (2009).

Jean also played mother to her real-life daughter Jennica Garcia when they topbilled the drama series Ina, Kasusuklaman Ba Kita in 2010.

In 2014, she portrayed the mother of the twins played by Barbie Forteza and Thea Tolentino in the afternoon series The Half Sisters, which is credited as one of the most successful afternoon teleseryes of GMA since it aired for two years.

Jean just finished playing a mother role in the series Pinulot Ka Lang Sa Lupa, which had LJ Reyes, Julie Anne San Jose, and Benjamin Alves in the cast.

CHERRY PIE PICACHE

Most of the time, it was Cherry Pie's mother roles that melted our hearts.

We saw how she struggled to reunite with Angelu de Leon in Ikaw Na Sana (1997), joined her in looking for Claudine Barretto's two other twin sisters in Saan Ka Man Naroroon (1999), and witnessed how she equally loved rival brothers Gerald Anderson and Jake Cuenca in Tayong Dalawa (2009).

We also saw how she gave up her own happiness and money just to fulfill Angelica Panganiban's wants in Rubi (2010). Cherry Pie's character even made the ultimate sacrifice and viewers mourned her character's death.

However, it was her role as Jack in On The Wings of Love (2015) that left a big mark in viewers's hearts: seeing how she sacrificed her own comfort for her son Jiggs (Albie Casino). She also tried to win back his affection while she struggled to reveal her real sexual preference.

Cherry Pie is set to be seen in another mother role, this time to Ritz Azul in the upcoming series The Promise of Forever.

AGOT ISIDRO

Agot has played a mix of kind and villainous mother roles on her television shows.

She once played the kind mother of Angel Locsin in Lobo (2008), the scheming mom of Jake Cuenca in Tayong Dalawa (2009), the loving mom of Erich Gonzales in Tanging Yaman (2010), the secretive nanay of Sarah Geronimo in 1DOL (2010), the strict mother of Louise Delos Reyes in One True Love (2012), and the beautiful but softspoken mother of Marian Rivera in Carmela (2014).

Currently, Agot plays the patient, tolerating mother of Arjo Atayde in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano.

MANILYN REYNES

From being a child star to being a teen actress, Manilyn now portrays mother roles in Filipino teleseryes.

One of her most notable mother roles to date is in the GMA sitcom Pepito Manaloto as the wife of Michael V and the mother of Jake Vargas. The sitcom has been running since 2009 to present.

In teleseryes, she also played important mother roles to teen actresses such as Kathryn Bernardo in Got To Believe (2013) and Bianca Umali in Once Upon A Kiss (2015).

Manilyn also portrayed the weak but very loving mother to Ken Chan's transgender role in Destiny Rose (2015).

Currently, Manilyn plays the mother of Barbie Forteza in Meant To Be, where she is also reunited with former love team partners Janno Gibbs and Keempee de Leon, and Triplets co-members Sheryl Cruz and Tina Paner.

SUSAN AFRICA

Susan became a household name in teleseryes mainly because of her role as Susan Davis in the series Mara Clara, which ran from 1992 to 1997.

In the series, she played the affectionate mother of Mara (Judy Ann Santos) who was always being beaten up by her husband Gary (Eruel Tongco). Susan later on discovered that her real daughter is Clara (Gladys Reyes).

From then on, Susan was tapped to play impoverished mothers on TV, mainly in the shows Saan Ka Man Naroroon (1999), Babaeng Hampaslupa (2011), and Green Rose (2011).

She would later on play again as mother to Judy Ann in the 2013 drama series Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala.

Susan's last mother role to date is for Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real (2014) where she played the devoted mother of Lovi Poe.

DIMPLES ROMANA

Dimples started as a teen star in the late '90s. Years later, she found herself playing the mother of the new generation's teen and child stars.

Her first major mother role was in Agua Bendita (2010), as the villainous mother of Jason Abalos. She then had a short role in Magkaribal (2010) as the mother of Kathryn Bernardo, who played the young Gretchen Barretto.

Dimples was later on tapped to play the role of Alvira del Valle, the modern version of Almira (Beverly Vergel) in the remake of the classic drama series Mara Clara. As Alvira, she played mom to Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes.

Dimples also played mother to Zaijian Jaranilla in Ikaw ay Pag-ibig (2011), to Julia Barretto in Mirabella (2014), and to Miles Ocampo in And I Love You So (2015).

In the recently concluded drama series The Greatest Love, Dimples portrayed Amanda, the strict but very affectionate mother to Z, played by Joshua Garcia.

MYLENE DIZON

Mylene, who debuted as a teen star, is also now one of the go-to actresses to play the mother of the new generation's teen stars.

She is also one of the few actresses who can both play affectionate and villainous mother roles.

Mylene's mother roles were hated in the shows Dyesebel (2008), Tanging Yaman (2010), Budoy (2011), Mirabella (2014), and Once Upon A Kiss (2015).

Viewers pitied her as a mother in Tayong Dalawa (2009), Mara Clara (2010), and Doble Kara (2015).

Mylene will soon be seen as the mother of Joshua Garcia and McCoy de Leon in the upcoming drama series Kung Kailangan Mo Ako.

RIO LOCSIN

Whether portraying a loving or a villainous mother, Rio can definitely pull it off.

We hated her when she used to hurt a young Shaina Magdayao in Marinella (1999), or when she pretended to be the real mother of Sarah Geronimo and Maja Salvador in Pangarap na Bituin (2007), or when she was the evil stepmother of Cinderella (Gwen Zamora).

She earned the sympathy of viewers for being the loving mother of Glaiza de Castro in Grazilda (2010).

Viewers also witnessed her struggles as the "palabang nanay" of Kristine Hermosa in Gulong ng Palad (2006) and as the pitiful mother of Richard Gutierrez in Makapiling Kang Muli (2012).

Best known for her lead dual role in the 1979 movie Kambal sa Uma in her younger years, Rio was tapped as the mother of the twins Ella (Melissa Ricks) and Vira (Shaina Magdayao) in its 2009 TV adaptation.

At present, Rio plays the funny and loving mother of Bela Padilla and Loisa Andalio in the Kapamilya teleserye My Dear Heart.

POKWANG

When she is not a comedienne, Pokwang is an actress portraying mother roles.

She first tried serious acting as the mother of Ella Cruz in the fantasy series Aryana (2012).

Pokwang was also tapped to play the surrogate mother of Julia Barretto in Mirabella (2014), and of Sharlene San Pedro in Nathaniel (2015).

In Pokwang's last teleserye, Till I Met You (2016), she played the frank but kind-hearted mother of JC Santos who found out that her son is gay.

When she learned to accept her son, she even joined him in boy-hunting and covering up the truth to her soldier husband, played by Robert Sena.

ANGELU DE LEON

From being a teen actress, Angelu is now tapped to play crucial mother roles to child and teen stars in teleseryes.

In 2006, Angelu first tackled a mother role, via the fantasy series Super Inggo, wherein she played the mother of Makisig Morales.

Later on, she played the mother of Kris Bernal in Koreana (2010) and Jackie Rice in Sisid (2011).

In 2012, Angelu reprised her role as Peachy Real in Teen Gen, a sequel of her phenomenal teen series TGIS (1995). For the sequel, she had a child named Lyca, portrayed by then-newbie Dianne Hernandez.

Angelu later on played the adoptive mother of Thea Tolentino in Pyra: Babaeng Apoy (2013) and Miguel Tanfelix in Nino (2014).

In 2015, Angelu was paired again with Bobby Andrews for Buena Familia, wherein they had four kids, portrayed by Kylie Padilla, Julie Anne San Jose, Mona Louise Rey, and Julian Trono.

This 2017, Angelu is set to appear in the telefantasya Mulawin vs. Ravena as the adoptive mother of Almiro, played by Derrick Monasterio.

CAMILLE PRATS

Camille's first foray into mother roles was in the successful primetime series Munting Heredera (2011). Her character was searching for her missing daughter, who was played back then by Mona Louise Rey.

Because of the show's success, Camille was tapped to play an important role in Luna Blanca (2012) as the mother of Mona Louise and Jillian Ward, who would later grow up to be Barbie Forteza and Bea Binene.

In 2015, Camille played a challenging role in Second Chances as a mother who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

In 2016, she portrayed the missing mother of Bianca Umali in the afternoon series Wish I May, wherein she was also diagnosed with chimerism, or a person having two DNAs.

ANGELIKA DELA CRUZ

After Angelika took a short break in showbiz when she gave birth in 2009, she started taking on mother roles to Kapuso teen stars.

She first played the mother of Barbie Forteza in the 2010 short-lived series Pilyang Kerubin.

In 2013, she played the mother of Louise delos Reyes in the top-rating drama Mundo Mo'y Akin. She was even quoted as saying that it felt weird playing Louise's mother because of their age gap was so near to each other.

Angelika said in one presscon, "Well, yung age naman kasi. Kumbaga, parang ten years old pa lang ako noon para maging anak ko si Louise, di ba?

"Para sa akin, weird. Hindi realistic. Kasi, yun nga, dapat nabuntis ako noong ten years old ako."

But then, in Angelika's next show, Kambal Sirena (2014), she played the grandmother of the mermaid played by Louise delos Reyes. In this mermaid-themed series, she also played the mother of Yul Servo, who was her former love team partner in Habang Kapiling Ka (2002).

She accepted the role since fantasy characters do not get old, which explains why she still looked young.

Her last mother role was playing the affectionate mother of a feral child played by Bea Binene in Hanggang Makita Kang Muli (2016).

Irma was originally known as the "mapang-aping ina," which was seen in Encantadia (2005) and Now and Forever: Tinig (2006).

She later on transformed as the nouveau riche but bitchy mother of Anne Curtis in Maging Sino Ka Man (2006).

Over the years, Irma has portrayed different kinds of mothers.

She became a strict but loving mother to Jennylyn Mercado in Paano Ba Ang Mangarap (2009), an endearing mother to Angel Locsin in Only You (2009), a pushy but comical mom to Jake Cuenca in My Cheating Heart (2009), and a social climbing, abusive mother to Bela Padilla in Magdalena (2012).

Currently, she play mother roles in two different shows. In GMA, Irma is the supportive, single mother of Miggy Tolentino in Trops.

Meanwhile, in ABS-CBN, she plays the very loving and caring mother of Bea Alonzo in A Love To Last.

PRECIOUS LARA QUIGAMAN

After she won the Miss International pageant in 2005, Precious Lara found her niche in showbiz as an actress: from playing kontrabida roles to mother roles.

Her first mother role was in the 2009 religious-themed series May Bukas Pa as Selda, the mother of Joy who also served as the mother figure of Santino (Zaijian Jaranilla).

Lara also became the mother to Mutya Orquia in Mutya (2011), JB Agustin in Little Champ (2013), Meg Imperial in Moon of Desire (2014), and Alexa Ilacad in Luv U (2013).

The beauty queen-turned-actress was also tapped several times to be the deceased mother of lead characters, mainly to Kathryn Bernardo in Princess and I (2012) and to Bea Alonzo in Sana Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon (2014).

Aside from that, Lara also became the suki of ABS-CBN's drama anthology Ipaglaban Mo, playing several mother roles in a lot of episodes.

MICKEY FERRIOLS

From being a noontime show host, Mickey was tapped to play important mother roles in teleseryes.

She played mother to Kim Chiu in Sana Maulit Muli (2007), Anne Curtis in Dyosa (2008), Melissa Ricks in Underage (2009), Empress in Rosalka (2010), and Enchong Dee in Ina Kapatid Anak (2012).

In GMA, she also played mom to Louise Delos Reyes in Kambal Sirena (2014) and Joyce Ching in Healing Hearts (2015).

Jackie Lou is often cast as the doting, villainous mom of kontrabidas.

Some of the TV shows where she played the "malditang nanay" were: Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw (2002), Captain Barbell (2006), Magdusa Ka (2008), Lalola (2008), Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Lahat Sa Akin (2009), Rosalinda (2009), and Destiny Rose (2015).

There were also a few times when Jackie Lou played the good, kind-hearted, and soft-spoken mother, like in the teleseryes Dwarfina (2011), Legacy (2012), and Someone To Watch Over Me (2016).

At present, Jackie Lou plays the scheming mother of villain Thea Tolentino in Destined To Be Yours.

RITA AVILA

Rita has portrayed a mix of kind-heart and villainous mothers in her television shows.

Some of her mean mother characters were seen in the teleseryes Familia Zaragoza (1995) and Sabel (2010).

Viewers also showed affection towards the mother roles she portrayed in Marinella (1999), Magdusa Ka (2008), Luna Mystika (2008), Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga (2012), and Let The Love Begin (2015).

Aside from that, Rita also played as the mother of Marian Rivera in the TV shows Marimar (2007) and Darna (2009).

AMY AUSTRIA-VENTURA

Amy has played a number of mother roles in television.

In most of her shows, Amy is always regarded as the surrogate mother of lead characters.

This happened in Narito Ang Puso Ko (2004) when she played the adoptive mother of Jolina Magdangal, in Mulawin (2004) as the surrogate mother of Angel Locsin, and in Pangako Sa 'Yo (2015) as the adoptive mother of Kathryn Bernardo.

Amy also played the biological mother of Ryza Cenon in Now and Forever: Mukha (2005), Angelika dela Cruz in Bituing Walang Ningning (2006), Coco Martin in Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin (2011), and Kim Chiu in Ikaw Lamang (2015).

GINA ALAJAR

Before concentrating on directing TV shows, Gina played several mother roles of lead stars in teleseryes.

Some of her touching roles on TV were playing the mother of Angelika dela Cruz in Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin (2001), Valerie Concepcion in Sinasamba Kita (2007), Yasmien Kurdi in Pasan Ko Ang Daigdig (2007), and Judy Ann Santos in Habang May Buhay (2010).

In 2012, which was her last kind-hearted mother role on TV, Gina portrayed the mother of Kris Bernal in Hiram na Puso.

In that show, Gina portrayed Zeny, a nurse who was looking for a heart donor for her daughter Lira (Kris) who was inflicted with heart disease.

GLYDEL MERCADO

Glydel Mercado is GMA's go-to mother in most of their afternoon TV shows, whether it is a villain or a kind mother role.

Some of these shows were: Now and Forever: Duyan (2006), Kung Mahawi Man Ang Ulap (2007), Hindi Ka Na Mag-iisa (2012), Unforgettable (2013), Ang Lihim ni Annasandra (2014), Wish I May (2016), and Sinungaling Mong Puso (2016).

Glydel also played the mother of the lead actors in GMA's provocative primetime shows. She portrayed the supportive mother of Carla Abellana in My Husband's Lover (2013), the fair mother of Yasmien Kurdi and Jennylyn Mercado in Rhodora X (2014), and the suppressed mom of Rhian Ramos in The Rich Man's Daughter (2015).

Glydel is also set to be seen in GMA-7's adaptation of My Love From The Star.