Liza Soberano
Liza Soberano – Life, Career, and Memorable Quotes
Discover the life, rise, and impact of Liza Soberano (b. January 4, 1998) — a Filipino-American actress, model, and advocate who rose from supporting roles to international projects.
Introduction
Liza Soberano (born Hope Elizabeth Soberano on January 4, 1998) is a Filipino-American actress and public figure who became a household name in Philippine film and television before stepping into Hollywood roles.
In this article, we’ll explore her early life, career journey, advocacy work, and some revealing quotations that capture her mindset.
Early Life and Family
Liza was born as Hope Elizabeth Soberano in Santa Clara, California, U.S. on January 4, 1998. John Castillo Soberano, is Filipino (from Pangasinan), and her mother, Jacqulyn Elizabeth Hanley, is American.
When she was around 10 years old, her parents separated, and she relocated to the Philippines with her father.
Liza has siblings from her parents’ later marriages — half-brothers and half-sisters.
Growing up, she faced challenges including difficult family dynamics, foster care issues, and abuse alleged during her time in foster placements — events she has spoken about in interviews and public statements. These early experiences shaped her perspective, emotional depth, and empathy—qualities that later influenced her performances and advocacy.
Liza grew up bilingual and learned Tagalog (Filipino) to further her acting career in the Philippines.
Career and Achievements
Early Roles & Breakthrough
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Liza’s first acting credit was a small role in the Philippine fantasy anthology Wansapanataym (2011).
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In 2012 she appeared in the drama Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo (as "Claire").
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Her first films include Must Be… Love (2013) and She’s the One (2013) in supporting/early roles.
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Her breakout TV role came in Got to Believe (season 2) in 2014, but she gained wider fame portraying Maria Agnes Calay, a strawberry farmer, in Forevermore (2014–2015), opposite Enrique Gil.
She and Enrique Gil formed a popular “love team” in Philippine showbiz (often stylized “LizQuen”), appearing together in many TV series and films.
Rising Film Success & Diversification
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In 2015, she starred in Just The Way You Are and Everyday I Love You—both commercially successful, consolidating her status as a leading romantic film actress.
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Her 2017 film My Ex and Whys was a notable success; she won the Box Office Queen award for it.
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She played Pia Wurtzbach (Miss Universe 2015) in an episode of the anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya.
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In television, she starred in Dolce Amore (2016), where she learned parts of the Italian language for her role, and showed versatility beyond her earlier “girl-next-door” image.
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She took on the epic fantasy series Bagani (2018), playing a tribal heroine; the role required stunt work and physical preparation.
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In Alone/Together (2019), she delivered a more introspective, layered performance, earning critical notice.
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Her TV series Make It with You (2020) had her play an overseas worker and con artist; she reportedly cut her hair short to differentiate the character from her prior roles. Unfortunately, production was stopped by the COVID-19 pandemic and ultimately canceled.
Transition to International Projects
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In 2021, she ventured into voice acting: she voiced the lead role, Alexandra Trese, in the Netflix animated series Trese.
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In 2024, she made her Hollywood film debut in Lisa Frankenstein, a horror comedy. She played Taffy, a complex, dual-natured character, which critics often cited as the standout among the cast.
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She also participated in international events: in March 2024, she presented at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards.
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Her future projects include Patron Saints of Nothing, based on the novel by Randy Ribay.
Awards, Recognition & Public Image
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Liza has won several Box Office Entertainment Awards, including Most Promising Female Star, Box Office Queen, and Princess of Philippine Movies and Television.
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She’s been nominated for PMPC Star Awards for both TV and film.
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Tatler named her among the most influential people in Asia in both 2022 and 2023.
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Publications often praise her beauty and style: she has been ranked in 100 Most Beautiful Faces lists, and admired for her fashion sense blending Filipino designers and major global brands.
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She has emphasized that she doesn’t want to rely purely on her looks but on her craft and authenticity.
Personality, Values & Strengths
Liza is often described as humble, introspective, and socially conscious.
She approaches acting with a mindset of letting go of self—immersing fully in character rather than trying to protect her own image.
Liza is also known for her advocacy:
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She is vocal about gender equality and women’s/children’s rights.
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She supports mental health awareness and has shared personal struggles with burnout and emotional well-being.
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During the pandemic, she engaged in charitable efforts for underprivileged communities, particularly focusing on children’s education.
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She serves as a Save the Children Philippines Ambassador and has advocacy roles in campaigns such as increasing the age of consent law.
Her public image balances grace and relatability—though admired for her beauty, she resists being pigeonholed and strives for deeper impact beyond aesthetics.
Quotes & Reflections
Here are a few notable quotations or expressed sentiments attributed to Liza Soberano (or paraphrased from interviews) that reflect her philosophy:
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On acting:
“It’s like allowing myself to completely kind of let go of everything that makes me, me.”
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On her public image:
She has remarked she does not want to rely solely on being beautiful but wants to be seen for her work and authenticity.
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On mental health & presence:
In a 2024 interview, she admitted: “That was coming from like, just years of focusing on work and not really getting to… be fully present in my childhood.”
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On advocacy and speaking out:
She has said that raising awareness in younger generations is important: “I find it so important to start spreading awareness … as early as now.”
These lines hint at her inwards reflection, desire for depth, and commitment to growth and change.
Lessons from Liza Soberano’s Journey
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Embrace multidimensionality
Liza shows that being “beautiful” can coexist with being thoughtful, bold, and socially active. -
Don’t accept limiting roles
She actively pushed out of the “love team” box to seek roles that challenge and expand her acting palette. -
Let vulnerability strengthen you
Her openness about early trauma, mental health, and pressures makes her more human to audiences. -
Use celebrity as platform
She channels fame into advocacy for causes (children’s rights, mental health, gender equity). -
Persist through transitions
Moving from Philippine stardom into international work takes courage, but she approaches it with craft and heart.
Conclusion
Liza Soberano is a compelling example of a young star evolving with intention. From her early roles in Philippine TV and film to branching into international projects, she carries both artistic ambition and a conscience. Her life reflects struggle, adaptation, and the courage to reshape one’s image and purpose.