Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Diana Zubiri

Posted by chris on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 in , , | No comments


Rosemarie Joy Garcia, better known by her stage name Diana Zubiri (born on April 15, 1985 in Bulacan, Philippines), is a Filipina actress. Zubiri was discovered by Seiko Films when she was 15 years of age soon after applying for work in Japan.She then started on sexy roles on various films by Seiko. In October 2002, Zubiri became widely known in the Philippines after posing on the EDSA-Shaw flyover in Mandaluyong City, for which she wore a two-piece bikini. That photoshoot for FHM Philippines sparked controversy and prompted the mayor of the city to file charges against Zubiri and FHM but it was later withdrawn after an apology.

In 2005, Zubiri slowly moved away from sexy films and focused on becoming a TV actress on the GMA Network. One of her notable roles was portraying Danaya in the Encantadia fantasy series. She is also a regular cast in the sketch-comedy program, Bubble Gang and starred on drama series like Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita and Danny Zialcita's Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan?.

When she was at about eight years old, together with her elder sister were left in the sole care of their mother when her father left them at Olongapo City. The family later transferred to a rented home in Fairview, Quezon City, where Diana spent her child life. Zubiri was a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo but she became a Roman Catholic during her early years in showbiz.

Zubiri started her showbiz career at the age of 15 after applying for work as an entertainer in Japan. She met Jimmy Mercado, a Seiko Films employee, who was working part-time as an interviewer for wannabe-performers for Japan. At that time, Assunta de Rossi had just finished the sexy film Sisid. In 2001 at the age of 17, she signed her Seiko contract and was launched in 2002 in the sexy film Itlog, opposite Rodel Velayo. She then returned to the Philippines and started to appear in sexy movies such as Bakat and Kasiping.

On October 29, 2002, she had a photo shoot wearing a two-piece bikini for FHM Philippines on EDSA-Shaw flyover in Mandaluyong City that became a major controversy. Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos filed charges of grave scandal against FHM Philippines and Zubiri but he later withdrew it after Zubiri and FHM Philippines' then-Editor-in-chief Eric Ramos and Jojo Gabinete, Zubiri's manager, apologized. Because of the "FHM Flyover" incident, Zubiri became popular.

After a few sexy flicks, Zubiri became a GMA Network artist, appearing as a regular cast in Bubble Gang, a sketch comedy television program. She also appeared in Encantadia as Danaya, the diwata that holds the Jewel of the Earth. She later reprised that role in Etheria and Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas.

Zubiri co-starred as Ingrid in the action-adventure-telefantasya series Asian Treasures alongside Angel Locsin, Robin Padilla, and Marvin Agustin.She is also a cast member on GMA7's Bubble Gang, and previously dated Bubble Gang co-star Wendell Ramos.

At this point, Diana is no longer categorized as a sexy actress but is now considered a full-fledged TV-movie celebrity. While Zubiri is a contract star of Seiko Films, she signed a contract in Regal Films and she will appear in the upcoming film Shake, Rattle & Roll X.

From her first appearance in the magazine in 2002, Diana Zubiri has consistently ranked at FHM Philippines' annual survey (FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World). Until 2008, Diana has constantly remained at the top ten of the list. She also appeared in FHM editions in Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia.

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