Sheryl Rose Anna Marie Sonora Cruz (Tagalog: [ˈʃɛɾil ˈkɾus]; born April 5, 1974) is a Filipino actress and singer. She is known for her roles as Divina Ferrer in 2007's television drama series Sinasamba Kita, Miss Minchin in Princess Sarah, and as Valeria in Bakekang and in the Philippine remake of Rosalinda.

Sheryl Cruz
Born
Sheryl Rose Anna Marie Sonora Cruz

(1974-04-05) April 5, 1974 (age 50)[1]
Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
Occupation(s)Actress, singer
Years active1981–present
Political partyPwersa ng Masang Pilipino[2] (2019)
Spouse
Norman Bustos
(m. 1996; div. 2008)
Children1
Parents
Relatives

After four years out of ABS-CBN, in 2012, she had a guest appearance on the series Walang Hanggan as young Virginia "Manang Henya" Cruz, portrayed by Susan Roces. In 2013, while still a contract star of ABS-CBN, she became part of Galema: Anak ni Zuma, as Galela Carriedo.

She returned to her home network GMA in 2014, where she has been working since, being given many roles and TV appearances.

Acting career

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Cruz started her career at age four. She won the FAMAS best child actress award for her portrayal in the film Mga Basang Sisiw opposite Janice de Belen, Che Che and Julie Vega. She also won best child actress for the film Roman Rapido opposite Fernando Poe Jr. She was also in the movie Ang Leon at ang Kuting (1980) with Fernando Poe Jr. and in Tropang Bulilit (1981) with Niño Muhlach and Lea Salonga.

She was later contracted by Regal Films along with Kristina Paner and Manilyn Reynes to form the group 'Triplets'. Among the three, Manilyn Reynes became the Star of the New Decade and Sheryl Cruz became the Princess of Philippine Cinema. At that time, GMA Network established the youth-oriented TV show That's Entertainment hosted by German Moreno, where she became part of the Wednesday group.

Her movie career blossomed as part of Philippine cinema's most memorable love teams, that of herself and Romnick Sarmenta. Cruz then signed a contract with Seiko Films. She later married and moved to the United States. In August 2004, Cruz decided to return home, and starred in her comeback film, Mano Po III: My Love, with her godmother Ms. Vilma Santos-Recto, governor of Batangas.

Cruz's biggest break was starring in two seasons of Now and Forever, Tinig and Ganti, which garnered high ratings (equivalent to that of a primetime show) despite it being in an afternoon timeslot. She appeared on Bakekang, where her antagonist character, Valeria, became a household name. In 2007–2008, she transferred to ABS-CBN after her career on GMA when she was offered to play Miss Minchin, the main antagonist of Princess Sarah, as Xandra in Komiks Presents: Varga, and a special participation role in Lobo. She decided to transfer back to GMA Network to do Luna Mystika, opposite a former talent of ABS-CBN, Heart Evangelista.

In the mid-plot of the Sine Novela offering Tinik sa Dibdib, Cruz was cast as an additional character in the series, rumored that she was the replacement of Ara Mina. In the series, she was the lead antagonist, in the love triangle between Lando (portrayed by Marvin Agustin) and Lorna (portrayed by Sunshine Dizon in the first three weeks and Nadine Samonte onwards).

After her role in Tinik sa Dibdib, Cruz was chosen by GMA Network to appear in Langit sa Piling Mo as a guest star. She also starred in the first season of the GMA reality comedy series Ang Yaman ni Lola and Grazilda.

In 2011, Cruz moved to TV5 and joined the cast of Mga Nagbabagang Bulaklak. She immediately returned to GMA after the show ended through the remake of Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin.

In 2012, she returned to TV5 via Isang Dakot na Luha. Cruz later returned to ABS-CBN the same year, appearing in a special participation role in the last episodes of the telescope Walang Hanggan, playing the role of a younger Manang Henya (portrayed by her aunt Susan Roces) in flashbacks. She, along with her cousin Sunshine Cruz, also starred in the 2013 action-horror-drama series Galema: Anak ni Zuma, starring Andi Eigenmann.

On December 7, 2013, Cruz won the P1,000,000 in The Singing Bee with four consecutive correct answers.

She returned to her home network GMA again in 2014, and was given many roles and TV appearances including the afternoon drama series Buena Familia.

In 2019, she reunited with Sunshine Dizon and once again started work in the newest drama series Magkaagaw. She played the role of Veron Razon-Santos, an ambitious woman who is Mario's ex-wife turned evil mistress as she avenged by the affair with Jio, which is played by Jeric Gonzales, who is the husband of Laura's daughter, Clarisse, which is played by Klea Pineda.

In 2022, she joined the cast of the afternoon drama series Prima Donnas, portraying the role of Bethany Fajaro-Howards in Season 2. Initially depicted as a kind-hearted guardian to Donna Lyn / Lenlyn (portrayed by Sofia Pablo) in Australia, her character transitions to the main antagonist, Kendra Fajardo Clavaria, replaces Aiko Melendez's role in Season 1. Kendra's transformation into Bethany's doppelgänger becomes central to her plot of vengeance against the Clavaria family, culminating in the demise of Sheryl's character.

In 2024, she took on the main role of Patricia Valdez-Engano, the main antagonist of the afternoon legal drama series Lilet Matias: Attorney-at-Law. Patricia harbors deep animosity towards Lilet (played by Jo Berry) due to her status as the illegitimate child of a wealthy family.

Personal life

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On June 20, 2012, Cruz made a guest appearance on Eat Bulaga! segments such as "Hakot Pa More", "Music Hero" and "Bawal Judgmental". Her parents were both Sampaguita Pictures stars, Ricky Belmonte and Rosemarie Sonora. Her ethnicity is Chinese and Ilonggo[3] on her maternal side, Tagalog on her paternal side, and Spanish Filipino on both her maternal and paternal sides. She is the niece of actress Susan Roces. Cruz and her husband Norman Bustos were married in 1996 but filed for divorce in March 2008.[4] They have a daughter named Ashley Nicole.

Cruz ran for councilor of Manila from the 2nd district under Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino in 2019 but lost.

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Note(s) Ref(s).
1980 Ang Leon at ang Kuting
1981 Mga Basang Sisiw
Tropang Bulilit
1983 Lovingly Yours, Helen: The Movie Jinky "Nang Maubos Ang Kandila" segment
1985 I Have Three Hands Anak ni Don Severino
Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang Luisa "Querubin: Maria Leonora Theresa" segment
1986 Batang Quiapo Sonea
Payaso
1987 No Retreat... No Surrender... Si Kumander [5]
1 + 1 = 12 (+ 1): One Plus One Equals Twelve (Cheaper by the Dozen)
1988 Rock-A-Bye Baby: Tatlo ang Daddy
Puso sa Puso Roselle
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Langit at Lupa Susan
One Two Bato, Three Four Bapor
1989 Everlasting Love Michelle
Pardina at Mga Dwende Pardina
Bihagin ang Dalagang Ito Kakay
1990 Mundo Man Ay Magunaw Alma
Sagot ng Puso Elsa
Ama... Bakit Mo Ako Pinabayaan? Julie
1991 Ipaglaban Mo Ako Boy Topak With Zoren Legaspi
Kapag Nag-abot ang Langit at Lupa Fatima
Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo
1992 Takbo... Talon... Tili!!! Debora "Ang Lalaki sa Salamin" segment
Eddie Tagalog: Pulis Makati Regine
1993 Ms. Dolora X
Ronquillo: Tubong Cavite, Laking Tondo Karla
1994 Hataw Tatay, Hataw! Jenny
Sobra Talaga... Over!!! Marietta
Greggy en Boogie: Sakyan Mo Na Lang, Anna Anna
Shake, Rattle & Roll V Gina "Anino" segment
Paano Na ang Mundo ni Janet Janet
1996 Milyonaryong Mini Salud
2004 Mano Po III: My Love Bernadette Yang
2006 Shake, Rattle and Roll 8 Grace "Yaya" segment
2015 Felix Manalo Sanang

Television

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Year Title Role(s) Network
1981–1996 Lovingly Yours, Helen GMA Network
1986–1992 That's Entertainment Herself / Wednesday group member
1989–1990 John en Marsha Shirley Puruntong RPN
1992–1996 GMA Supershow Herself / Co-host GMA Network
1992 Billy Bilyonaryo Various roles
1993 Haybol Rambol
1996 Maalaala Mo Kaya ABS-CBN
2004 Magpakailanman: Jinky Oda Story Jinky Oda GMA Network
Mulawin Linang
Startalk Herself / Host
2005 Now and Forever: Ganti Samantha
2006 Now and Forever: Tinig Selena
2006–2007 Bakekang Valeria Arevalo
2007 Sine Novela: Sinasamba Kita Divina Ferrer
Mga Mata ni Anghelita Magdalena
Princess Sarah Miss Maria Minchin ABS-CBN
Love Spell: Cindy-rella Diana
2008 Lobo Young Eleanora "Lady Elle" Blancaflor
Komiks Presents: Varga Xandra
2008–2009 Luna Mystika Alice Sagrado GMA Network
2009 SRO Cinemaserye: Ganti Ng Puso Viola Ojeda
Rosalinda Donya Valeria Del Castillo-Altamirano
2009–2010 Sine Novela: Tinik Sa Dibdib Rita Domingo
2010 Langit sa Piling Mo Alma Flores
2010–2011 Ang Yaman ni Lola Kimberly Hechanova-Cabagnot
Grazilda Fabiola
2011 Untold Stories Mula sa Face to Face: Sa Piling ng Kaaway Nenita TV5
Babaeng Hampaslupa A young Helena See
Mga Nagbabagang Bulaklak Rosal Flores
2011–2012 Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin Amara Luna GMA Network
2012 Walang Hanggan young Virginia "Henya" Cruz ABS-CBN
Isang Dakot na Luha Helga Zamora TV5
Maalaala Mo Kaya: Sanggol Susan Roces ABS-CBN
2013–2014 Jim Fernandez's Galema, Anak ni Zuma Galela Carriedo
2013 The Singing Bee Herself, guest celebrity player (won 1 million pesos)
2014 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Jeep Rosalina "Lina"
2014–2015 Strawberry Lane Monique Tolentino-Bernarte GMA Network
2015 Magpakailanman: Masuwerteng Pinay sa Brunei (The Kathelyn Dela Cruz Dupaya Story) Kathelyn ''Kathy'' Dela Cruz Dupaya
Love Hotline Amalia Punzalan
2015–2016 Buena Familia Josephine Carter
2016 Once Again Agnes Carbonnel
Oh My Mama Julia Domingo-Reyes
2017 Meant to Be Beatriz Spencer-Del Valle
2017–2018 Impostora Bettina "Betty" Romero (antagonist)
2017 Road Trip Herself / Guest
2018 My Guitar Princess Adele Raymundo (protagonist)
Tadhana: Saranghae Genie
2019 Young Once Upon a Time Herself Net 25
2019–2021 Magkaagaw Veronica "Veron" Razon-Santos (antagonist) GMA Network
2021 Magpakailanman: Kaibigan sa Umaga, Aswang sa Gabi Glorie
Agimat ng Agila Myrna Labrador
2022 Magpakailanman: The Illegal Wife Sonya
Prima Donnas Maria Kendra Fajardo-Claveria (antagonist) / Bethany Howards (anti-hero)
2023 Magpakailanman: Kinulam na Ina Alma
2024 Tadhana: Jackpot Rachel
Lilet Matias: Attorney-at-Law Patricia Valdes (antagonist)

Discography

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  • Sheryl (1989)[6]
  • Walang Ganyanan (1991)
  • Row 4 (Ang Baliktorians) Soundtrack (1993)
  • There's No Place Like Home (2009)
  • Sa Puso Ay Ikaw Pa Rin (2014)

References

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  1. ^ "Sunshine to 'Cousin Ate' Sheryl: Thank you for loving me and my children – Kicker Daily News". Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  2. ^ Adel, Rosette. "List of local candidates 2019: City of Manila". Philstar.com. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  3. ^ "ASIAN JOURNAL a San Diego original. The 1st Asian Journal in Ca,USA. A Filipino American weekly. Online – Digital – Print Editions". asianjournalusa.com. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  4. ^ Santiago, Erwin. "Sheryl Cruz and husband Norman Bustos file for divorce". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  5. ^ Soriano, Luciano E. (September 21, 1987). "A mildly amusing sitcom". Manila Standard. Standard Publications, Inc. p. 14. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  6. ^ "WEA's OPM harvests a golden". Manila Standard. Kagitingan Publications, Inc. September 5, 1989. p. 26. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
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