Sheryl Cruz

Sheryl Cruz
Sheryl Cruz
Born	Sheryl Rose Anna Marie Sonora Cruz; April 5, 1974 (age 50); Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
Occupation(s)	Actress, singer
Years active	1981–present
Political party	Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (2019)
Spouse	Norman Bustos (m. 1996; div. 2008)
Children	1
Parents	Ricky Belmonte (father); Rosemarie Sonora (mother);
Relatives	Susan Roces (aunt); Fernando Poe Jr. (uncle); Grace Poe (half-sister); Sunshine Cruz (cousin); Rayver Cruz (cousin); Rodjun Cruz (cousin); Geneva Cruz (cousin); Donna Cruz (cousin); Tirso Cruz III (uncle);

This article is written in Philippine English, which has its own spelling conventions (color, realize, center, travelled) and some terms that are used in it (including jeepney and cyberlibel) may be different or absent from other varieties of English. According to the relevant style guide, this should not be changed without broad consensus.

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, as Valeria in Bakekang, and in the Philippine remake of Rosalinda.

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

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 Mystica, 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

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

Film

Year	Title	Role	Note(s)	Ref(s).
1980	Ang Leon at ang Kuting
1981	Mga Basang Sisiw
1981	Tropang Bulilit
1983	Lovingly Yours, Helen: The Movie	Jinky	"Nang Maubos Ang Kandila" segment
1985	I Have Three Hands	Anak ni Don Severino
1985	Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang	Luisa	"Querubin: Maria Leonora Theresa" segment
1986	Batang Quiapo	Sonea
1986	Payaso
1987	No Retreat... No Surrender... Si Kumander			^[5]
1987	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
1992	Eddie Tagalog: Pulis Makati	Regine
1993	Ms. Dolora X
1993	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

Year	Title	Role(s)	Network
1981–1996	Lovingly Yours, Helen		GMA Network
1986–1992	That's Entertainment	Herself / Wednesday group member	GMA Network
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
2008	Komiks Presents: Varga	Xandra
2008–2009	Luna Mystika	Alice Sagrado	GMA Network
2009	SRO Cinemaserye: Ganti Ng Puso	Viola Ojeda
2009	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
2010–2011	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
2015	Love Hotline	Amalia Punzalan
2015–2016	Buena Familia	Josephine Carter
2016	Once Again	Agnes Carbonnel
2016	Oh My Mama	Julia Domingo-Reyes
2017	Meant to Be	Beatriz Spencer-Del Valle
2017–2018	Impostora	Bettina "Betty" Romero
2017	Road Trip	Herself / Guest
2018	My Guitar Princess	Adele Raymundo
2018	Tadhana: Saranghae	Genie
2019	Young Once Upon a Time	Herself	Net 25
2019–2021	Magkaagaw	Veronica "Veron" Razon-Santos	GMA Network
2021	Magpakailanman: Kaibigan sa Umaga, Aswang sa Gabi	Glorie
2021	Agimat ng Agila	Myrna Labrador
2022	Magpakailanman: The Illegal Wife	Sonya
2022	Prima Donnas	Maria Kendra Fajardo-Claveria / Bethany Howards
2023	Magpakailanman: Kinulam na Ina	Alma
2024	Tadhana: Jackpot	Rachel
2024	Lilet Matias: Attorney-at-Law	Patricia Valdes

Discography

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

^ "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.
^ Adel, Rosette. "List of local candidates 2019: City of Manila". Philstar.com. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
^ "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.
^ Santiago, Erwin. "Sheryl Cruz and husband Norman Bustos file for divorce". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
^ Soriano, Luciano E. (September 21, 1987). "A mildly amusing sitcom". Manila Standard. Standard Publications, Inc. p. 14. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
^ "WEA's OPM harvests a golden". Manila Standard. Kagitingan Publications, Inc. September 5, 1989. p. 26. Retrieved December 29, 2022.

External links

Profile on iGMA.tv
Sheryl Cruz at IMDb

[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.

[MSSoriano-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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