Iwa Moto

Iwa Moto
イワ モト
Iwa Moto in April 2010
Born
Aileen Quimado Iwamoto

(1988-08-29) August 29, 1988 (age 36)
Las Piñas, Metro Manila, Philippines
Occupation(s)Actress, model, reality television personality
Years active2005–2018
Known forStarStruck
Kung Mahawi Man ang Ulap
Bakekang
Darna
PartnerPampi Lacson (since 2012)
Children2
RelativesMiki Iwamoto (sister)
Joaquin Regio (nephew)

Aileen Quimado Iwamoto (born August 29, 1988), known by her stage name Iwa Moto (イワ モト), is a JapanesePhilippine actress, model and reality television personality. She is the first runner up in the third season of StarStruck, a reality-based talent search show of GMA Network. She is well known for playing Rita Acuesta on Kung Mahawi Man ang Ulap and Valentina in Darna.

Acting

Moto auditioned for StarStruck but failed to qualify until she has succeeded in audition for the third season in which she ended up as the First Princess along with Gian Carlos as the First Prince. After StarStruck, Iwamoto appeared on SOP Gigsters, Love to Love: Young At Heart and Nuts Entertainment. During her stint in Nuts Entertainment, Iwamoto was suspended for 6 weeks along with Jackie Rice. After the suspension, Iwamoto came back to Nuts Entertainment, joined the cast of Bakekang, her first primetime show where she played Jenny, the best friend of Kristal, played by Lovi Poe, and also on the last season of Love to Love which is Jazz Got Lucky. Iwamoto also portrayed her life story on Magpakailanman. In 2007, Moto appeared in Super Twins, wherein she portrayed the character Moshi Moshi Manika, her first antagonist role. After that, Iwamoto portrayed Rita on Sine Novela's third installment Kung Mahawi Man ang Ulap, wherein she got a favorable response from the viewers of the show.[1][2]

Due to her performance in Kung Mahawi Man ang Ulap, she was in included in Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan as a Black Amazona, her third antagonist role.[3][4] In 2008, Iwamoto became the image model of FHM Philippines, making her the third Filipina to hold that title after Asia Agcaoili and Katrina Halili. In September of the same year, Iwamoto appeared on the cover of FHM Philippines for the second time.[5] She was a previous covergirl of FHM Singapore. Straight after Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan, Iwamoto was given a supporting role in Robin Padilla's Joaquin Bordado,[6] as Diane, but her character was killed off for Iwamoto to focus on Sine Novela's eighth installment Magdusa Ka with Katrina Halili and Dennis Trillo.[7] After that, Iwamoto was included on the cast of Luna Mystika as Donita Sagrado, the main antagonist of Heart Evangelista's character.[8]

In 2009, Moto appeared in the primetime series Adik Sa'Yo as Andrea, but left for Darna to play Valentina, the main antagonist of Darna and her biggest role in a drama so far. In 2010, Iwamoto began reappearing currently reappearing in Darna and also on Sine Novela: Ina, Kasusuklaman Ba Kita?, in which she portrays the role of Rossan. In Darna, she played the character Valentina, the prime rival of superheroine Darna.[9] She appeared in Love Bug: "Last Romance" and also as a guest in Pilyang Kerubin and in the TV series Beauty Queen. In 2011, she participated in Dwarfina, starring Heart Evangelista and Dennis Trillo.[10] Her last TV project was Andres de Saya, starring Cesar Montano and Iza Calzado. In 2012, she appeared on Wil Time Bigtime but left shortly due to her existing contract with GMA Network.

Personal life

Moto is the eldest of the three siblings. Her father, the late Hiroaki Iwamoto (岩本 宏明) was a Japanese immigrant to the Philippines while her mother is Filipino.[11]

Since 2012, Moto is in a relationship with Panfilo "Pampi" Lacson Jr., son of former Senator Panfilo Lacson, with whom she has a daughter, Hiromi "Eve", born on September 23, 2013.[12] She gave birth to a son, Caleb Jiro, on January 21, 2021.[13] She is a stepmother to Pampi's son, Panfilo "Thirdy" Lacson III, child with Jodi Sta. Maria, born in 2005.

In 2009, Moto married martial arts fighter, Mickey Ablan, but the couple separated in 2011 when Mickey had a new partner, Janna Dominguez. On October 8, 2023, she mourned, since Yzabel, Ablan's 20-year-old daughter, her "little butterfly" whom she had taken care of, died due to heart failure and lung infection.[14]

In 2024, the partners celebrated their 12th anniversary on Wednesday, April 17.[15][16]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Film Production Notes
2006 White Lady Mimi Regal Entertainment First movie with Regal Entertainment
Pitong Dalagita Tisha Canary Films First main role in a movie
2008 My Monster Mom Vivian Regal Entertainment and GMA Films Second movie with Regal Entertainment; First with GMA Films
Shake, Rattle & Roll X Wai Lana Regal Entertainment First movie for Metro Manila Film Festival, Segment: “Nieves”
2017 The Debutantes Kate's aunt Regal Entertainment and The IdeaFirst Company Third movie with Regal Entertainment; First with The IdeaFirst Company

Television

Year Title Role Network
2005–2006 StarStruck: The Nationwide Invasion Herself GMA Network
2006–2008 Nuts Entertainment Co-host
2007 Bitoy's Funniest Videos
2006 Posh Herself Q
SOP Gigsters Host/Performer GMA Network
Love to Love: Young at Heart Denisse
Magpakailanman: The Iwa Moto Life Story Herself
Love to Love: Jass Got Lucky Max
2006–2007 Bakekang Jenny
2007 Magic Kamison: The True Lindsay Lindsay/Laura
Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang Princesa Singsing
SOP Rules Performer
Super Twins Monica/Moshi Moshi Manika
Sine Novela: Kung Mahawi Man ang Ulap Rita Acuesta
2007–2008 Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan Amasonang Itim / Soñia Tamano
2008 Joaquin Bordado Dianne
Sine Novela: Magdusa Ka Millet Calpito
2008–2009 Luna Mystika Donita Sagrado
2009 Dear Friend: Madrasta Gellie
Adik Sa'Yo Andrea
2009–2010 Darna Valentina / Babaeng Ahas
2010 Sine Novela: Ina, Kasusuklaman Ba Kita? Rossan Montenegro-Ortega
Diz Iz It! Celebrity Judge
Love Bug: The Last Romance Remy
Pilyang Kerubin Eva
Beauty Queen young Leavida Acuesta-Rivas
2011 Dwarfina Lucille Ballesteros
Andres de Saya Nica Landutay
2012 Kapitan Awesome Aphrodite TV5
Felina: Prinsesa ng mga Pusa Liza Golvez
Third Eye Daisy
2012–2013 Enchanted Garden Santana
2013 Cassandra: Warrior Angel Ursula's mother
2015 Marimar Magda Evangelista GMA Network

Awards

Year Awards/Critics/Contest Result
2006 FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World (Philippines) Rank 16
HI Magazine's one of the most beautiful faces in Philippine Showbiz Rank 20
2007 FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World (Philippines) Rank 10
MAXIM 100 Hottest Women on the Planet (Philippines) Rank 50
2008 MAXIM 100 Hottest Women on the Planet (Philippines) Rank 10
UNO 100 Hottest Women on the Planet (Philippines) Rank 2
FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World (Philippines) Rank 7
Yes Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People in the Philippines Random
2009 FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World (Philippines) Rank 5
2010 FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World (Philippines) Rank 4
2011 FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World (Philippines) Rank 8
2012 FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World (Philippines) Rank 14

References

  1. ^ "Iwa Moto plays her most daring role yet in "Kung Mahawi Man ang Ulap"". Philippine Entertainment Portal. July 29, 2007.
  2. ^ "Iwa Moto gets favorable responses for her contravida role". Philippine Entertainment Portal. August 22, 2007.
  3. ^ "GMA-7's "Pulis Pangkalawakan" replaces "Shaider"". Philippine Entertainment Portal. July 13, 2007.
  4. ^ ""StarStruck 3" runner-up Iwa Moto plays villain again in "Zaido"". Philippine Entertainment Portal. September 18, 2007.
  5. ^ "Iwa Moto goes topless in latest FHM issue". Philippine Entertainment Portal. September 1, 2008.
  6. ^ Iwa Moto considers sexy role in "Joaquin Bordado" as challenging
  7. ^ ""Katrina, 'di bagay maging bida!'" -- Iwa". Abante. Archived from the original on April 12, 2008. Retrieved April 8, 2008.
  8. ^ ""Luna Mystica" casting is almost complete". Philippine Entertainment Portal. October 3, 2008.
  9. ^ "GMA-7 offers two new star-studded afternoon soaps". Philippine Entertainment Portal. January 15, 2010.
  10. ^ "Iwa Moto on the neverending- rumor about her: Uulitin ko, hindi po ako kasal, hindi po ako buntis". Philippine Entertainment Portal. December 12, 2010.
  11. ^ "Iwa Moto's father passes away". Philippine Entertainment Portal. March 9, 2009.
  12. ^ "Iwa Moto shares fun-filled gender reveal party for second child". GMA News. December 15, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  13. ^ Nepomuceno, Neil Patrick (December 14, 2020). "Iwa Moto, Pampi Lacson excited for their baby boy". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  14. ^ Purnell, Kristofer (October 10, 2023). "Iwa Moto mourns death of ex Mickey Ablan's daughter Yzabel". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  15. ^ Quieta, Quieta (January 22, 2021). "Iwa Moto gives birth to second child Caleb Jiro". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  16. ^ Acar, Aedrianne (April 18, 2024). "wa Moto describes the last 12 years with Pampi Lacson as a 'rollercoaster ride'". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by StarStruck
Runner-up

2005 (season 3)
Succeeded by