Iza Calzado
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| Iza Calzado | |
| Birth name | Maria Izadora Ussher Calzado |
| Born | August 12, 1982 Quezon City, Philippines |
| Notable roles | see Television Shows |
Maria Izadora Ussher Calzado, popularly known as Iza Calzado is a Filipina actress/commercial model/tv host who gained big attention in show business in May 2002. Her biggest breaks in Philippine showbiz include teaming-up with Argentine actor Segundo Cernadas in GMA Network's Te Amo, Maging Sino Ka Man and taking the role as Amihan in Encantadia. Although, she considers playing the role of Mary Grace in Star Cinema's Milan as the turning point of her career. She is considered to be one of today's most beautiful faces in the Philippine Cinema and Young dramatic/award winning actresses.
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[edit] Biography
Maria Izadora Ussher Calzado, born on August 12, 1982 was named by her father after a modern dance legend, Isadora Duncan.
She is the daughter of choreographer and TV director Lito Calzado, and the late Irish-Spanish-Filipina, Mary Ann Ussher. Iza's brother, Dash, is a member of Legit Misfitz, a Pinoy rap group.
In the late 1990s, she finished her high school in Miriam College and after which finished her undergraduate education in the University of Santo Tomas with a degree in Fine Arts.
[edit] Acting Career
Iza started out as a guest teen star in the defunct youth oriented show “Click”, but her short-lived stint in the said program led to continuous showbiz tales.
Many believe that she acts like a veteran actress and is lucky enough to do challenging projects. Despite the fact that most of her TV assignments in GMA 7 cater young adults she still impresses entertainment authorities with her dramatic prowess.
Iza won her first ever heroine role through the soap opera “Te Amo” with the Argentinean actor Segundo Cernadas. A beautiful face with talent and charisma that’s why she was suited to play a rural Cinderella who falls in love with a runaway Prince.
Amihan the Queen of goddesses in “Encantadia” was the hit character she marked in 2005 for the fantasy- driven market. In that tele-fantasya she worked with other Kapuso stars like Diana Zubiri, Jennylyn Mercado, Yasmien Kurdi, Mark Herras, Karylle, Dingdong Dantes and with Cogie Domingo and Sunshine Dizon in “Kung Mawawala Ka”.
The success of her reel partnership with Dingdong Dantes goes on and on in 'Atlantika'. After being the deity of air in Encantadia and Etheria, she’s the candidate to be the princess of the civilization under the sea in this top rating series.
In the past Iza never thought that she would be an actress. But as a daughter of TV Director Lito Calzado, the hidden beauty soon surfaced as a commercial model, which became her ticket to stardom.
Iza adds that good opportunity was her earlier blessing because she didn’t have to join any talent search or reality shows that can make or break a young talent.
Watching local movies or TV shows was not her habit before but she admires the dramatic styles of Maricel Soriano, Hilda Coronel and Caridad Sanchez.
When it comes to dream roles Iza wants the offbeat ones just like a madwoman or drug dependent. Incidentally on her first two movies this year, "Blackout" with Robin Padilla, she would be drug dependent and "Mona" as a prostitute in Singapore.
For local counterpart she’s looking forward to working again with Piolo Pascual. They played an estrangeg couple in the flick “Milan”. Aside from Piolo she’d be thrilled to have a movie or TV project with Jericho Rosales, Dennis Trillo, Jay Manalo, and Victor Neri as she really marvels at their acting ability. But of course, Richard Gomez and Aga Muhlach would definitely be part of her A-list.
[edit] Endorsements and Commercials
- 2002- Pantene Testimonial Commercial
- 2002- Globe Telecom, Commercial
- 2003- A II Z Clothing Co.
- 2004- HBC, Hortaleza Beauty Exclusives, Commercial
- 2004- SanSan Cosmetics, Print Ad
- 2004- Pantene Testimonial, Vignette
- 2004- Belo Medical Group
- 2004- JC Martin, Multi-level Mktg Co.
- 2004- Boston Co. Shoes and Bags
- 2004- Regatta Clothing Co.
- 2005- Avon Fragrances
- 2005- Goldilocks Chicken Barbeque, Commercial
- 2005- Pantene Testimonial Commercial
- 2005- Close-up, Vignette
- 2005- Pantene, Vignette
- 2005- Rexona, Vignette
- 2006- Lady's Choice Commercial Series
- 2006- Soda by Pink, Clothing Line
- 2006- Barcelona Brandy, Commercial
- 2007- Enervon, Commercial
- 2007- Ponds, Commercial
[edit] Awards and Nominations
| Year | Film Award/Critics | Award/Nomination |
| 2005 | 2nd USTv Thomasian Students' Choice Awards | Students' Choice for Best Actress |
| 2006 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Actress Nominee |
| 2006 | QTV 11's Ang Pinaka Survey: Most Exciting Young Actresses in the Philippines | Rank #4 |
| 2006 | QTV 11's Ang Pinaka Survey: Winner na Covergirls | Rank ?? |
| 2006 | QTV 11's Ang Pinaka Survey: Showbiz Makeovers | Rank ?? |
| 2006 | Philippine Daily Inquirer I AM SUPER! Awards | Awardee |
| 2006 | FHM Philippines Top 100 Sexiest Women in the World | Rank #40 |
| 2006 | Nickelodeon’s 2006 Kids’ Choice Awards | Pinoy Wannabe Awardee Nomination |
| 2006 | Yes! Reader's Choice Awards | Favorite Actress of the year Nomination |
| 2005 | Golden Screen Awards | Breakthrough Performance by an Actress for Milan |
| 2005 | Yes! Reader's Choice Awards | Most Beautiful Celebrity (nominated) |
| 2004 | 28th Gawad Urian | Pinakamahusya na Pangalawang Aktres (Best Supporting Actress) |
| 2004 | Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Foundation Awards | Most Promising Female Actress |
| 2004 | FHM Philippines Top 100 Sexiest Women in the World | Rank #65 |
| 2004 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Supporting Actress Nomination for the movie Sigaw |
| 2005 | S Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful Faces in Philippine Cinema | Rank #10 |
| 2004 | S Magazine's Top 50 Showbiz Sweethearts | Rank #11 |
| 2004 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Supporting Actress Nomination for the movie Sabel |
[edit] Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role |
| 2007 | Impostora | TBA |
| 2007 | 23rd PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Herself-Host |
| 2007 | Lola Basyang Episode - Ang Prinsiping Mahaba ang Ilong | Prinsesa Isabella |
| 2006 | Atlantika | Amaya/Cielo |
| 2006 | Sandwichlandia (fantasy commercial series) | Tina Tinapay |
| 2006 | Encantadia: Pag-Ibig Hanggang Wakas | Amihan |
| 2005 | Etheria: Ang Ikalimang Kaharian ng Encantadia | Amihan |
| 2005 | Encantadia | Amihan |
| 2005 | At Your Service: Star Power | Herself-Host |
| 2005 | SOP | Herself-Performer |
| 2005 | 3R (Respect, Relax, Respond) | Herself-Host |
| 2005 | Love To Love Season 4: Sweet Exchange | Trisha Rogelio |
| 2004 | Te Amo, Maging Sino Ka Man | Rosela Atilado |
| 2003 | All My Love (Mis Tres Hermanas) | voice of Lisa (Scarlet Ortiz) |
| 2001 | Kung Mawawala Ka | Phoebe Valiente |
| 2001 | Click | Belle |
Movies
| Year | Title | Role |
| 2007 | Kulam | (rumored) |
| 2007 | Despedida | (rumored) |
| 2007 | Ouija | Sandra |
| 2007 | Mona: Singapore Escort | Mona (finished) |
| 2007 | Blackout | Belen |
| 2006 | Shake, Rattle & Roll 8 | Cecille |
| 2006 | Eternity | Milagros |
| 2006 | Moments of Love | Divina Buenacer |
| 2005 | Mulawin The Movie | Reyna Amihan |
| 2005 | Ispiritista: Itay, may moomoo! | Linda |
| 2005 | Pinoy Blonde | Yanni |
| 2004 | Sigaw (The Echo) | Anna |
| 2004 | Sabel | Jenny |
| 2004 | Annie B. | Trisha |
| 2004 | Milan | Mary Grace |
[edit] Trivia
- She was the first choice to play the Darna role on the boobtube.
- At age seven, she went into commercial modeling and landed small roles in Seiko movies, one of which was directed by National Artists for Film Lino Brocka.
- As a teenager, she weighed 200 lbs.
- Her first television appearance as an actress is in GMA's now defunct Teen Oriented show "Click".
- She has a Spanish & Irish blood.
- Actresses Zsa Zsa Padilla & Lorna Tolentino are her distant relatives.
