Donna Cariaga
Birth dateSeptember 21, 1994 (age 32)
Birth placeBaguio, Benguet, Philippines
Birth nameDonna Liza Cariaga
OccupationActress · comedienne · producer
Years active2017–present
Alma materSaint Louis University[1]

Donna Liza Cariaga (born September 21, 1994) is a Filipina comedienne, actress, and television personality[2] best known for competing and winning on the second season of Funny One, a comedy competition segment on the ABS-CBN noontime variety show It's Showtime,[3][4] and having her own segment on the show titled Donna What to Do, Donna What to Say after her win.[5]

Early life and background

Donna was an introvert when she was in high school; despite being an introvert, she was elected SSC president in high school.[6][7]

Donna studied Mass Communication at Baguio City’s Saint Louis University, even though she wanted to be an engineer.[6][7]

Personal life

Donna is single.[8]

Career

In her college days, Donna joined theater so she can support her expenses in school. Despite being an introvert, she became one of the best products of Tanghalang SLU, the performing theater arts organization of Saint Louis University in Baguio City.[6]

She had no intention of joining a theater but eventually grew to loving it. She gave up her dream of becoming an actor but she became such after winning in Funny One and explored the field of acting.[6]

Before she wins the Funny One segment on It's Showtime, she was doing extra in Forevermore, a Philippine television drama where she have an acting scene with Liza Soberano because it was shot in Baguio City.[9]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleRef!
202618th RoseMs. Melai
2025Bar Boys: After SchoolAnita[10]
Rekonek[11]
UnmarryJanice[12]
Ang Happy Homes ni Diane Hilario[13]
Lola Barang
Flower GirlCommercial Director[14]
Everything About My WifeSophia[15]
Sampung Utos Kay JoshHoldupper's Wife[16]
2024EspantahoFrida[17]
My Future YouFlower Vendor
Mujigae[18]
BalotaAnita Hernandez[19]
FruitcakeSonia[20]
A Lab StoryMa'am Kristine[21]
I Am Not Big BirdTanya[22]
2023Family of TwoDonna
Shake, Rattle & Roll ExtremeHasmine (segment "Glitch")[23]
A Very Good GirlKaren Merino[24]
Third World RomanceMaymay[25]
Ten Little MistressesChicklet[26]
2022Mahal Kita, BeksmanAnalyn[27]
Retirada[28]
Ngayon KayaCharmaigne[29]
2021The Women of TONTA ClubWaitress
Huwag Kang LalabasDaday (segment "Hotel")[30]
Love Is Color BlindStephi[31]
RabidPrincess[32]
On the Job: The Missing 8Melai[33]
A Girl and a GuyMarga[34]
20193pol Trobol: Huli Ka Balbon!Gloria[35]
UnforgettableLotto Outlet Customer
Papa PogiVenus[36]
2018The Hopeful RomanticIlocana Maid[37]
Unli LifeHugot Tina[38]
Harry & PattyDolly
2017Dapol tan payawar na Tayug 1931Valentina Vidal
NeomanilaGang Member

TV series

YearTitleRole
2025Rainbow RumbleHerself / contestant
2022–presentRegal Studio PresentsCzarina / Kuring / Maribel
2024MakilingEmily
TadhanaBelinda
2023Batang QuiapoBecky
Open 24/7Piyaya Matriona Grey Bark
2022Daddy's GurlRoxy
Ano'ng meron kay Abok?Chicharon Lady
Hoy, Love You!Dok Wanda
Panalo o talo, It's You!Minda
Mano Po Legacy: Her Big BossGuia
Love at the End of the WorldTess
2021Limited EditionChona
FolkloreLet
2019ManilennialsMrs. Marquino Assistant
Ipaglaban Mo!Aya
2018Alamat ng AnoChandra Mae
2017It's ShowtimeHerself / contestant
2014ForevermoreAssistant

Theater

YearTitleRef!
2025Mga Magindara sa Siyudad[39]

Awards and nominations

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)Result
45th Gawad Urian AwardsNovember 17, 2022Gawad Urian for Best ActressDonna Cariaga[40]

References

  1. ^ Delos Reyes, Ira (November 7, 2022). "Donna Cariaga: Buhay Kolehiyala" [Donna Cariaga: College Life]. Medium. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  2. ^ Madarang, Catalina Ricci S. (April 3, 2023). "'LOL for all': Female stand-up comedians deliver intimacy jokes concluding Women's Month". Interaksyon. Archived February 9, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  3. ^ "Baguio's Donna Cariaga named 'Funny One' champion". ABS-CBN. December 2, 2017. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  4. ^ "Donna Cariaga named 'funny one'". Manila Standard. December 10, 2017. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  5. ^ "Showtime panggulat ang bagong segments". Pilipino Star Ngayon. The Philippine Star. January 2, 2018. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  6. ^ "A heart-to-heart talk with "the funny one," Donna Cariaga". Bulbapp. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  7. ^ Dela Cruz, Arnmari Christine (January 24, 2024). "Ms. Donna Cariaga not as the "Funny One" but as an "Actor"". Bulbapp. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  8. ^ Basbas, Roselle (December 14, 2017). "'Funny One' season 2 winner Donna Cariaga opens up her secrets to comedy". ABS-CBN. Archived April 18, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  9. ^ Fernando, Jeff (December 12, 2017). "Sino si James? Donna Cariaga, ibinahagi kung saan nanggaling ang hugot". ABS-CBN. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  10. ^ Escuadro, Kiko (December 29, 2025). "‘Annie Batungbakal’ energy takes over MMFF 2025". Radar.ph. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  11. ^ "'Rekonek': Heartwarming holiday tale about connection". Tempo. December 22, 2025. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  12. ^ Almazan, Faye (October 11, 2025). "MMFF unveils four films that complete the 2025 entries list". GMA Entertainment Group. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  13. ^ "Official Teaser of 'Ang Happy Homes ni Diane Hilario,' Starring Angeline Quinto". FashionPULIS.com. November 1, 2025. Retrieved November 1, 2025.
  14. ^ Manila Santos, Rhea (May 25, 2025). "EXCLUSIVE: Maxie Andreison is happy to return to acting in new comedy 'Flower Girl'". Push. ABS-CBN. Archived May 25, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  15. ^ Yap, Jade Veronique (February 14, 2025). "'Everything About My Wife' casts Jennylyn Mercado, Dennis Trillo, Sam Milby weigh in on love and healing". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  16. ^ Santiago, Ervin. "Jerald winner sa Sampung Utos kay Josh; Pepe bet na bet bilang Satanas". Inquirer Bandera. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  17. ^ Troika, Pep (September 11, 2024). "Cast Reveal: Judy Ann Santos at Lorna Tolentino bida sa Espantaho". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived December 1, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  18. ^ Tomada, Nathalie (July 24, 2024). "K-drama star Kim Jisoo joins cast of Philippines film 'Mujigae'". Philstar Global. The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  19. ^ Mariano, Dianne (June 3, 2024). "Donna Cariaga to the cast and crew of 'Balota': 'Karangalan ang ma-witness ang inyong kahusayan'". GMA Entertainment. Archived September 3, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  20. ^ Alcantara, Carissa (June 1, 2024). "Joshua Garcia talks jump from drama to comedy". Manila Bulletin. Archived April 30, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  21. ^ Hawson, Fred (March 20, 2024). "Cinepanalo review: 'A Lab Story'". ABS-CBN. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  22. ^ "I AM NOT BIG BIRD still showing in selected cinemas"
  23. ^ Santos, Rhea Manila (December 23, 2023). "EXCLUSIVE: Donna Cariaga thankful for second chance in 'FPJ's Batang Quiapo'". ABS-CBN. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  24. ^ Matalog, Patricia (June 23, 2023). "'A VERY GOOD GIRL' CAST REVEALED: Here are the stars joining Kathryn Bernardo and Dolly de Leon!". ABS-CBN. Archived January 23, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  25. ^ "Carlo Aquino, Charlie Dizon star in 'Third World Romance'". ABS-CBN. July 19, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  26. ^ Tomada, Nathalie (February 14, 2023). "Ten Little Mistresses' V-day reminder: You don't need a man to be happy". Philstar Global. The Philippine Star. Archived March 11, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  27. ^ "Review: I Love You, Beksman (Queer East Film Festival)". Film Carnage. April 23, 2023. Archived November 10, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  28. ^ Arevalo, Rica (August 10, 2022). "What happens after retirement?". Manila Bulletin. Archived October 6, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  29. ^ "A star-studded red carpet movie premiere for 'Ngayon Kaya'". Manila Bulletin. June 23, 2022. Archived April 28, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  30. ^ Cruz, Marinel (December 8, 2021). "'Huwag Kang Lalabas'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  31. ^ "'Love is Color Blind' marks first movie of phenomenal DonBelle love team". LionhearTV. December 6, 2021. Archived November 11, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  32. ^ Judah, Tara (April 27, 2022). "'Rabid': Udine Review". Screen International. Archived April 21, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  33. ^ Santos, Rhea Manila (October 2, 2022). "'OTJ The Missing 8' is Philippines' entry to Oscars". ABS-CBN. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  34. ^ Orange, Team (July 1, 2021). "Here's why UPSTREAM's 'A Girl and A Guy' should be the next film on your watch list". Orange Magazine. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  35. ^ "Strategy ni Coco Martin para maging No.1 sa MMFF, umubra kaya?". Balita. Manila Bulletin. December 20, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  36. ^ Chua, Sany (March 13, 2019). "Teddy Corpuz leads the cast of 'Papa Pogi'". ABS-CBN. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  37. ^ Suzara, Matt. "The Hopeful Romantic: Movie Review". Lakwatsera Lovers. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  38. ^ "Unli Life (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  39. ^ Magazine, Adobo (May 13, 2025). "VLFXX: Hinog harvesting bold new voices in Filipino theater this June". Adobo Magazine. Archived May 25, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  40. ^ Roque, Nika (September 13, 2022). "Gawad Urian just released the list of nominees for 2022". GMA News. Archived September 28, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 26, 2025.