Aileen Quimado Iwamoto (born August 29, 1988), known by her stage name Iwa Moto (イワ モト), is a Japanese–Philippine actress, model and reality television personality. She is the first runner up in the third season of StarStruck, a reality-based talent search show of GMA Network. She is well known for playing Rita Acuesta on Kung Mahawi Man ang Ulap and Valentina in Darna.
Iwa Moto イワ モト | |
|---|---|
 Iwa Moto in April 2010 | |
| Born | Aileen Quimado Iwamoto August 29, 1988 Las Piñas, Philippines |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, model, reality television personality |
| Years active | 2005–2018 |
| Known for | StarStruck Kung Mahawi Man ang Ulap Bakekang Darna |
| Partner | Pampi Lacson (since 2012) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Miki Iwamoto (sister) Joaquin Regio (nephew) |
Acting
editMoto auditioned for StarStruck but failed to qualify until she has succeeded in audition for the third season in which she ended up as the First Princess along with Gian Carlos as the First Prince. After StarStruck, Iwamoto appeared on SOP Gigsters, Love to Love: Young At Heart and Nuts Entertainment. During her stint in Nuts Entertainment, Iwamoto was suspended for 6 weeks along with Jackie Rice. After the suspension, Iwamoto came back to Nuts Entertainment, joined the cast of Bakekang, her first primetime show where she played Jenny, the best friend of Kristal, played by Lovi Poe, and also on the last season of Love to Love which is Jazz Got Lucky. Iwamoto also portrayed her life story on Magpakailanman. In 2007, Moto appeared in Super Twins, wherein she portrayed the character Moshi Moshi Manika, her first antagonist role. After that, Iwamoto portrayed Rita on Sine Novela's third installment Kung Mahawi Man ang Ulap, wherein she got a favorable response from the viewers of the show.[1][2]
Due to her performance in Kung Mahawi Man ang Ulap, she was in included in Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan as a Black Amazona, her third antagonist role.[3][4] In 2008, Iwamoto became the image model of FHM Philippines, making her the third Filipina to hold that title after Asia Agcaoili and Katrina Halili. In September of the same year, Iwamoto appeared on the cover of FHM Philippines for the second time.[5] She was a previous covergirl of FHM Singapore. Straight after Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan, Iwamoto was given a supporting role in Robin Padilla's Joaquin Bordado,[6] as Diane, but her character was killed off for Iwamoto to focus on Sine Novela's eighth installment Magdusa Ka with Katrina Halili and Dennis Trillo.[7] After that, Iwamoto was included on the cast of Luna Mystika as Donita Sagrado, the main antagonist of Heart Evangelista's character.[8]
In 2009, Moto appeared in the primetime series Adik Sa'Yo as Andrea, but left for Darna to play Valentina, the main antagonist of Darna and her biggest role in a drama so far. In 2010, Iwamoto began reappearing currently reappearing in Darna and also on Sine Novela: Ina, Kasusuklaman Ba Kita?, in which she portrays the role of Rossan. In Darna, she played the character Valentina, the prime rival of superheroine Darna.[9] She appeared in Love Bug: "Last Romance" and also as a guest in Pilyang Kerubin and in the TV series Beauty Queen. In 2011, she participated in Dwarfina, starring Heart Evangelista and Dennis Trillo.[10] Her last TV project was Andres de Saya, starring Cesar Montano and Iza Calzado. In 2012, she appeared on Wil Time Bigtime but left shortly due to her existing contract with GMA Network.
Personal life
editMoto is the eldest of the three siblings. Her father, the late Hiroaki Iwamoto (岩本 宏明) was a Japanese immigrant to the Philippines while her mother is Filipino.[11]
Since 2012, Moto is in a relationship with Panfilo "Pampi" Lacson Jr., son of former Senator Panfilo Lacson, with whom she has a daughter, Hiromi "Eve", born in September 23, 2013.[12] She gave birth to a son, Caleb Jiro, in January 21, 2021.[13] She is a stepmother to Pampi's son, Panfilo "Thirdy" Lacson III, child with Jodi Sta. Maria, born in 2005.
In 2009, Moto married martial arts fighter, Mickey Ablan, but the couple separated in 2011 when Mickey had a new partner, Janna Dominguez. On October 8, 2023, she mourned, since Yzabel, Ablan's 20-year-old daughter, her "little butterfly" whom she had taken cared of passed away due to heart failure and lung infection.[14]
In 2024, the partners celebrated their 12th anniversary on Wednesday, April 17.[15][16]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Film Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | White Lady | Mimi | Regal Entertainment | First movie with Regal Entertainment |
| Pitong Dalagita | Tisha | Canary Films | First main role in a movie | |
| 2008 | My Monster Mom | Vivian | Regal Entertainment and GMA Films | Second movie with Regal Entertainment; First with GMA Films |
| Shake, Rattle & Roll X | Wai Lana | Regal Entertainment | First movie for Metro Manila Film Festival, Segment: “Nieves” | |
| 2017 | The Debutantes | Kate's aunt | Regal Entertainment and The IdeaFirst Company | Third movie with Regal Entertainment; First with The IdeaFirst Company |
Television
editAwards
edit| Year | Awards/Critics/Contest | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World (Philippines) | Rank 16 |
| HI Magazine's one of the most beautiful faces in Philippine Showbiz | Rank 20 | |
| 2007 | FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World (Philippines) | Rank 10 |
| MAXIM 100 Hottest Women on the Planet (Philippines) | Rank 50 | |
| 2008 | MAXIM 100 Hottest Women on the Planet (Philippines) | Rank 10 |
| UNO 100 Hottest Women on the Planet (Philippines) | Rank 2 | |
| FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World (Philippines) | Rank 7 | |
| Yes Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People in the Philippines | Random | |
| 2009 | FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World (Philippines) | Rank 5 |
| 2010 | FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World (Philippines) | Rank 4 |
| 2011 | FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World (Philippines) | Rank 8 |
| 2012 | FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World (Philippines) | Rank 14 |