- Born
- Birth nameShaina Garcia Magdayao
- Nicknames
- Shai
- Ina
- Shin
- Shadam.
- Maggie
- Empress of Drama
- Height5′ 6″ (1.68 m)
- Shaina Garcia Magdayao is an acclaimed Filipino actress. Known primarily for her dramatic roles in film and television, she began her career as a child actress and starred in her first titular role, Lyra.
She has received accolades from various local award-giving bodies such as FAMAS, Metro Manila Film Festival Award, Young Critics Circle, Gawad Pasado, in addition to nominations from Gawad Urian (Philippines’ equivalent to the Oscars). Her works have also competed and screened in numerous prestigious film festivals around the world such as Cannes Film Festival, Berlinale, Locarno Film Festival, Tokyo International Film Festival and Busan International Film Festival. She could very well be the only mainstream actress in her contemporary whose films have graced and competed in the world’s biggest festivals. Her penchant for acting in films that are not just in the commercial stream has brought her presence known in the global film stage. In last year’s Busan International Film Festival, she has graced events with Song Kang-ho of Parasite, Lee Byung-hun of Squid Game and Mr Sunshine, and Yoo Teo of Past Lives.
She is known to act in numerous Lav Diaz’s films with the very recent one in Locarno Main Competition, Essential Truths of the Lake. She also wowed the international audience in the Lav Diaz Cannes entry, The Halt and his Berlinale Main Competition masterpiece, Season of the Devil, which won in Cartagena Film Festival and the local FAMAS awards. Her presence is also felt in her shows in the streaming platform giants Netflix and Amazon Prime for Almost Paradise Seasons 2.
- IMDb mini biography by: Bianca Balbuena
- ParentsEnrique MagdayaoDeanne Magdayao
- RelativesVina Morales(Sibling)Sheila Magdayao(Sibling)Sheryl Magdayao(Sibling)Ceana Magdayao Lee(Niece or Nephew)
- Gender / Gender identityFemale
- Pronounsshe/her
- Sexual orientationStraight
- Race / EthnicityAsian, Hispanic / Latino / Latina / Latine, White
- Her name, Shaina, means beautiful in Hebrew.
- Started acting at the age of 6 years old for TV and Film. Commercials at 10 months old.
- I grew up on film sets since I was a baby (did my first commercial at 10 months old and my first title role at 6 years old), which made this chaotic yet fulfilling world feel like "home". Being a sensitive kid though, becoming a dramatic child star felt natural. I often say I "cry for a living" since my projects leaned towards drama.
- One thing that keeps me in this industry though, is the magic of collaboration. There's something incredibly special about coming together with people you've worked with in the past on and off camera, people you respect and enjoy being around. It's not just about the role, it's about creating something special with a group of people who share that same passion. I find that sense of connection both motivating and inspiring!!!
- I've always felt that the world of acting chose me - every character I've portrayed, every film or TV project I've worked on. I've also developed a deeper respect not only for the art itself but for the people behind it - the filmmakers, the crew, and everyone who brings these stories to life. Now, more than ever, I am filled with gratitude. All I need to do is say 'yes.' As long as there's a filmmaker who believes in me and in what I can bring to the table, I will continue to say yes, embracing each opportunity with purpose and gratitude.
- Having had the privilege of attending international festivals and learning so much from the global scene, especially under the guidance of my mentor and maestro, Lav Diaz, I've always believed that Filipinos have the potential to shine in their own unique way. We just need the right exposure and opportunities to showcase our talents. Thankfully, the doors of global cinema are now opening, with the world beginning to take notice of Filipino stories, actors, and projects. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to guest star on the LA-produced TV series Almost Paradise for its second season which aired in 2020. The show used the Philippines as its location while providing jobs and opportunities to many Filipino talent and crew members.
- But today, that line is becoming blurrier than ever. With social media and streaming platforms, TV series can now be watched over and over. Platforms like Netflix have set the bar high with their top-tier shows and big budgets, further closing the gap between the two mediums. I've fortunately experienced both, so it's hard to choose which one I prefer [laughs]. I've been acting for TV since I was a kid but there's also still something uniquely magical about films, right? I mean watching a film on the big screen with a group of strangers, all experiencing the same emotional ride together. It's a shared experience that taps into something universal and that resonates with us as people.
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