With her flawless, youthful, and deific beauty, it’s definitely hard to believe that Bagong Umaga actress Rio Locsin, who plays the role of the loving grandma and mother Hilda Veradona, is turning 60 years old this year!
Born on October 3, 1961 as Maria Theresa Rosario Garcia Nayve, she is the daughter of former actress Charito Garcia. She followed the footsteps of her mom by also setting her foot in the local entertainment scene in the 1970s.
She was launched to stardom through the classic film “Disgrasayada”, which became a hug box-office hit. Because of its success, she was given sexy roles in a slew of films such as "Menor De Edad" (1979), "Ina, Kapatid, Anak (1979)," "Kambal Sa Uma" (1980), among others. Besides, she also had the opportunity to don the iconic costume of famous Filipina heroine Darna when she was tapped to portray her in the 1979 movie “Bira, Darna, Bira”.
Since there were no social media nor internet yet during those times, we’re lucky indeed to be able to see some of her photos in her younger years through the efforts of her adoring fans behind the Instagram page “msriolocsinfanpage”. They diligently collate snaps of her taken though the years on the photo and video-sharing platform for the world to see!
But what could be the secret behind the ageless splendor of this ever-gorgeous versatile veteran actress? Going through the Instagram accounts of her beloved daughters, we could say that it’s having a happy, doting, and supportive family.
She’s been blissfully married to her husband former basketball player-turned-evangelical pastor Federico “Padim” Israel Jr. for a long time now, to whom she shares three daughters. In some of their posts dedicated to her, Rio’s children regard her as a “one of a kind” and “the best mom in the world”.
“Happy Mother's Day to our immortal Mama! You are "one of a kind" hahaha. I know you never ask for anything in return, and since I am incapable of repaying everything you've done, I just pray that God blesses you a thousandfold (it's the least I can do). Love you, you crazy woman!” her daughter Joses wrote in her Mother’s Day tribute for her in 2016.
Meanwhile, for her birthday greeting last year, Jabba described her mother as “My K-drama buddy, travel partner, Gong Yoo and Park Seo Joon enthusiast, fan meet companion, and hopefully soon-to-be-ARMY as well.”
Besides, she’s also game when it comes to posing for the camera and joining TikTok videos and video blogs of the younger cast members of Bagong Umaga!
Catch Rio on Bagong Umaga, weekdays after It’s Showtime on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, and A2Z!