Mary Jane Santa Ana Guck (October 21, 1963 – March 2, 2024 [1][2][3]), known professionally as Jaclyn Jose, was a Filipino actress. Known for her penetrating eyes and antagonistic roles in film and soap operas, she was a recipient of various accolades, including five Gawad Urians, two Luna Awards, and a FAMAS Award, in addition to an Asian Film Awards nomination. She is the only Filipino to win the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress for the movie Ma' Rosa (2016). She was also described as the "Queen of Underacting" for her ability to deliver restrained and subtle performances.[4]
Jose made her film acting debut in 1984, starring in dramas directed by William Pascual, Chito S. Roño and Lino Brocka, which earned her recognition in the Philippine movie awards circuit. In the 1990s, she began appearing in television soap operas. Jose was also honored by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts at the Ani ng Dangal ceremony in 2017.[5] In 2023, she was awarded the Movie Icon Award by the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors.
Early life
Jaclyn Jose was born on October 21, 1963 [2] as Mary Jane Guck in Angeles City, Pampanga. She was the second of six siblings which included her half-sister Veronica Jones, an actress in the 1970s and 1980s.[6] Her mother, Rosalinda Santa Ana,[7] was a zarzuela actress, while her father, Edward Lawrence Guck was an American serviceman of German descent[8] stationed at Clark Air Base.[9] Her parents separated when Jose was four years old.[10]
Jose made her film acting debut in 1984 in back-to-back dramas in William Pascual's Chicas and Chito S. Roño's Private Show, earning her first FAMAS Awards nomination for the latter. In a 2021 interview, Jose said that she was initially reluctant to go into acting and deliberately played a subtle performance during her audition for Chicas in the hopes of not getting selected, only to discover that it was exactly what the judges had in mind.[11] The following year, she starred in Lino Brocka's White Slavery, which earned her her first Gawad Urian nomination. Her first Gawad Urian win came from her role in the drama Takaw Tukso (1986), winning the Best Actress award. She won her first Luna Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1996 in The Flor Contemplacion Story (1995), for which also earned her her fourth Gawad Urian and fourth FAMAS Award nomination.[8]
In 1986, Jose made her theater debut in the play Women, written by Joey Papa and directed by Joel Lamangan. She played the role of a rebel's wife and starred alongside Maria Isabel Lopez, Lala Montelibano, Daniel Fernando and Ricky Hora.[12]
1995–2000: Television appearances
Jose made her debut television appearance on ABS-CBN. She played Esther Lagrimas in the hit series Familia Zaragoza from 1995 to 1996. From 1997 to 1999, Jose played the role of Magda in the original 1997 series Mula sa Puso, before making her first appearance on Maalaala Mo Kaya. From 1999 to 2000, Jose played Elena Deogracias in the television series Labs Ko Si Babe.[13]
2002–2004: Network switch
After a two-year absence from television, Jose transferred to ABS-CBN's rival network, GMA and played Marianna Peron on the popular TV series Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga. In early 2004, Jose had a recurring role as Carol in Te Amo, Maging Sino Ka Man with her co-star from Mula Sa Puso, Princess Punzalan. Later in 2004, she returned to ABS-CBN in an episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya.
2004–2009: Return to ABS-CBN
In 2004, Jose returned to her ABS-CBN. Jose's first role as a major character was during the last quarter of 2004–2005, when she played Isabella in the television series Hiram. She also played a supporting role in SCQ Reload: Ok Ako! as Helen Roxas.
Jose's next role was as Darlyn Fernandez in the 2007 show Sineserye Presents: May Minamahal. Later that year, she appeared in the fantasy anthology TV series Love Spell. In 2007–2008 Jose played the main role of Virgie Burgos in the show Prinsesa ng Banyera.
In 2008–2009, Jose was the villain Mariang Magayon in the TV series Dyosa.
2009–2010: GMA Network and TV5
Later in 2009, Jose returned to GMA Network to star in the Filipino series Zorro as Doña Chiquita Pelaez. This was her last appearance on GMA until 2013.
Jose then returned to ABS-CBN to guest star in an episode of Your Song in 2009. In the latter part of 2009–2010, Jose was cast as Minda Fernandez, one of the main villains in the show Nagsimula sa Puso.
In 2010, Jose was cast as the villain Astrud Quijano Crisanto in the series Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo, or The Villain and Killer Influence. Later that year, she made her first appearance on TV5 when she guest starred on the show Star Confessions: Congratulations: The April Gustilo Confession.
2011–2013: More projects and Valiente
In 2011, Jose appeared as a guest star in an episode of Your Song, playing Delfina. She also became part of the cast of Sabel, where she had the role of Bettina Zaragoza. She later guest starred on the anthology series Maalaala Mo Kaya and the fantasy series Wansapanataym. For her final project that year, Jose guest starred once again on Maalaala Mo Kaya. Jose played a supporting role of Luisa Alcantara-Delos Santos, Agnes's mother, in the series Reputasyon, acting alongside starring actress Cristine Reyes from 2011 to 2012.
Jose made her second appearance on TV5 in the 2012 remake of the popular 1990s series Valiente, where she played Doña Trinidad Braganza, a villain role originated by Odette Khan. Later that year, Jose returned to ABS-CBN to guest star in an episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya. From 2012 to 2013, she played a supporting role in Kahit Puso'y Masugatan as Esther Espiritu. This role marked her final appearance on ABS-CBN before transferring networks in the latter part of 2013.
2013–2014: Return to GMA Network
In 2013, she returned to GMA, where she played the role of Doña Charito Vda de Carbonel in the popular 2013 series Mundo Mo'y Akin. Jose made a guest appearance on the TV series, My Husband's Lover as Doña Charito Vda de Carbonel, Elaine's snobbish friend, a crossover character from Mundo Mo'y Akin. She also guest starred in Bubble Gang as herself, Doña Charito, and Auntie Patty. She made her first guest appearance on The Ryzza Mae Show. She also reprised her role as Doña Charito in the TV series Vampire Ang Daddy Ko and played Elyvra, another villain in the same series. Jose guest starred on two episodes of the drama anthology Magpakailanman. She then played Manang Gilda, a recurring character in the series Akin Pa Rin ang Bukas.[14] Jose acted in another episode of Magpakailanman. She then joined the cast of More Than Words, playing the role of Precy Balmores. Her final role in 2013 was as Agnes Toledo in Genesis.
In 2014, she acted in the series Carmela: Ang Pinakamagandang Babae sa Mundong Ibabaw, portraying Patricia "Trixie" Flores, the main antagonist of the show. Later that year, she acted in another episode of Magpakailanman and also played Conchita Monteverde in Ilustrado.
2014–2015: More prominent roles and GMA News TV
In late 2014, Jose made her debut appearance on GMA Network's GMA News TV when she acted in an episode of Wagas. She played the role of veteran real-life actress Boots Anson-Roa. She also appeared in another episode of Magpakailanman.
Jose started in 2015 by guest starring on an episode of Magpakailanman. After that, she guest starred as Marissa on the Eat Bulaga: Lenten Special. In 2015 and 2016, Jose joined the cast of Marimar as the new version of the villain Señora Angelika Santibañez, who was originally played by Katrina Halili. She also played an extended role in the show Juan Tamad from 2015 to 2016.
2016–2024: Final roles
In 2016, Jose was cast as the villain Stella Montecillo in the afternoon prime series The Millionaire's Wife. She then acted in an episode of Dear Uge. She briefly starred in Season 1 of Alyas Robin Hood as Judy de Jesus, the mother of the character played by Dingdong Dantes. Her life story was featured in the documentary series, Tunay na Buhay.[15][16] Jose starred in the series A1 Ko Sa 'Yo, as Digna Molina, the main character of the show. The series aired after she won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress for the movie Ma' Rosa. Later that year, Jose guest starred on another episode of Wagas on GMA News TV.
After 10 years in GMA Network, in 2023, she returned to ABS-CBN as an anti-hero/protagonist in her final drama FPJ's Batang Quiapo as Dolores Espinas.[17] Her character was still active in the series' storyline at the time of her death until April 15, 2024.[18]
Personal life and death
Jose raised her children— Andi Eigenmann (her daughter with actor Mark Gil and an actress in her own right) and Gwen Garimond Ilagan Guck (her son with musician Kenneth Ilagan)—as a single parent.[19] Jose had met Gil on the production of their film Itanong Mo sa Buwan, and the two dated for two years.[6] In her later years, she lived alone (apart from a housekeeper) in Quezon City. She had a farmhouse in Laguna.[8]
Jose died in her home on the morning of March 2, 2024, at the age of 60.[1][2][3] Andi Eigenmann confirmed heart attack as the cause of death.[20]
Her remains were subsequently cremated.[21] Her week-long private wake was held at the Arlington Memorial Chapel in Quezon City, which was followed by her private inurnment at the Garden of the Divine Word Columbary in Quezon City on March 10.[22]
Main Cast / Anti-Hero / Protagonist (Jose's finale & last television series, appearance before her death) Posthumous appearances (March 4–April 15, 2024)
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