Albert Martinez

Early life

Alberto Pineda Martinez was born in Manila on April 19, 1961, to Bert Martinez, and Margarita Pineda.

Career

Martinez began his acting career in 1979 when a talent agency hired him for a television ad. At the time, he was just a personal assistant for his younger brother William, who was an actor. Soon after, he became a film extra in the 1981 film Totoo Ba Ang Chismis? followed by a bigger role in the film Blue Jeans. He took his first teleserye role as Glenn in the 1980 series Anna Liza on GMA Network. Martinez's character, Glenn was the suitor of the titular protagonist, Anna Liza which was portrayed by Julie Vega. The show lasted until Vega's death in 1985. He then made his ABS-CBN debut in the 1993 sitcom Oki Doki Doc.

Martinez cites actor John Travolta's acting style as his basis on his own film roles. He describes Travolta as having a tongue-in-cheek style in acting as characterized in his roles in Face/Off, Broken Arrow and Battlefield Earth. Martinez praised Travolta for making his roles "shine" on the aforementioned films despite not portraying "natural characters". He also cited Christopher de Leon as his idol since he started his career in film acting.

In 1992, after taking a break from acting to raise his two children with Anna Lissa "Liezl" Sumilang in the United States, Martinez starred in the romantic drama film Yakapin Mo Akong Muli, which was a box office bomb. He followed that up with Kahit May Mahal Ka Ng Iba a year later, which was not well received. As a result, he was only not able to complete the three-picture deal he signed with Regal Films, and went back to being a film extra.

Martinez got back into significant roles thanks to performances in GMA teleseryes and the 1994 film Pangako ng Kahapon, which earned him a FAMAS Award for Best Supporting Actor. After that he got to work with Nora Aunor in two films: Muling Umawit ang Puso and Sidhi. He also won several Best Supporting Actor awards from the Gawad Urian and the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) for his role in the film Dead Sure. His role in Dead Sure was the first time he played a villain role.

In the television series Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin, he portrayed Ferdinand Fuentebuella who marries a woman from a rich family to save the wealth of his own family. On the eve of Martinez's character's wedding, Fuentebuella had a one-night stand with a prostitute (portrayed by Gina Alajar and gets her pregnant. Fuentebuella is reunited with his daughter, Catherine (portrayed by Angelika dela Cruz) five years later but again gets separated from each other. Throughout the series Fuentebuella is determined to reunite again with his daughter as his loveless marriage deteriorates. This role of a sympathetic character was deemed a deviation from Martinez's usual portrayal of hateful characters in films. Commenting on his role after being asked how does he chooses his role, Martinez says that the audience views the characters as role models which they would like to emulate. He says that he tries to incorporate positive values in his role yet he makes sure that the character he portrays remains flawed adding that he is "always looking for a dark twist".

Martinez starred as a downtrodden husband in the 2003 film Magnífico. He then starred in the television series, Sa Piling Mo, together with Judy Ann Santos and Piolo Pascual which was shown on ABS-CBN. He also worked on the fantaserye Komiks Presents: Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko and the teleserye Maria Flordeluna in 2007 as the role of Gen. Leo Alicante. From 2009 to 2010, he worked on the teleserye May Bukas Pa, in the role of the antagonist turned protagonist Mayor Enrique Rodrigo. He played the role of Frank Crisanto on the teleserye Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo, alongside Kris Aquino, Kim Chiu, Gina Pareño, Coco Martin, and Gerald Anderson.

Martinez then directed his first film film Rosario which was shown at the 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival. Although many praised his direction, he did not receive a directing nomination.

Martinez was part of cast for the 2012 film, Born to Love You. His next major appearance in a feature film would be in the 2021 adult drama film The Housemaid, although he also figured in a special role in Revirginized which starred Sharon Cuneta.

In 2021, he returns to GMA-7 as part of Las Hermanas. He also played the role of Dr. Richard Smith in Voltes V: Legacy.

Martinez returned again to ABS-CBN in a villain role in The Iron Heart as Engr. Priam dela Torre, the leader of the Tatsulok syndicate and the biological father of the protagonist, Apollo, played by Richard Gutierrez. After The Iron Heart, he appeared as one of the main casts of Lavender Fields in 2024. As of 2025, he portrays Mayor Roberto Guerrero in FPJ's Batang Quiapo.

Personal life

His father, Bert Martínez, was a character actor during the 1960s.

Albert was married to Liezl Sumilang from 1985, until her death in 2015. In the late 1980s, the couple owned up to 46 massage therapy clinics throughout California in the United States. They had three children: actor Alfonso Martinez, Alyanna Martinez, Alissa Martinez. He now has three grandchildren.

Martinez owns a large car collection, which includes a 1968 Mercury Cougar he restored for his late wife, Liezl. Sometimes he would go off-roading with his cars in a property he owns in Tanay, Rizal.

Filmography

Film

As director

• Rosario (2010) – MMFF Entry "59th Famas Best Director (winner)"

Television

Footnotes

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. Red, Isah V.. (December 10, 1995). "The new and improved Albert Martinez". Kamahalan Publishing Corp..
2. (2018-10-04). "Albert Martinez, Teleserye King".
3. (2019-02-18). "Look: Albert Martinez Has Been Dubbed "Teleserye King" As The Stars in Almost All Kapamilya Shows – Pixelated Planet".
4. "Spotlight: Albert Martinez's notable portrayals as an illustrious Kapamilya actor {{!}} ABS-CBN Entertainment".
5. "IN PHOTOS: Career highlights of Albert Martinez {{!}} GMA Entertainment".
6. (2018-04-09). "Lolo Albert talks about his new 'award'".
7. (April 30, 2002). "Albert turns 41". Dollywood.
8. Eusebio, Aaron Brennt. "Albert Martinez: The Art of Reinvention".
9. (May 5, 2001). "Albert Martinez believes in the power of television". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
10. (August 24, 2000). "The 'devil' in Albert Martinez". [[Philippine Daily Inquirer]].
11. (2010-01-16). "'Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo' airs Monday".
12. Reyes, William R.. (December 28, 2010). "(Updated) MMFF jury member Butch Francisco answers "issues" on non-inclusion of Rosario's Albert Martinez and Jennylyn Mercado among nominees".
13. (January 17, 2011). "They came, they saw, they liked 'Rosario' {{!}} Philstar.com".
14. Salterio, Leah C.. (September 9, 2021). "Why Albert Martinez chose 'The Housemaid' for his comeback film". ABS-CBN News.
15. "Albert Martinez's first appearance in 'Las Hermanas'".
16. Bardinas, Mary Ann. (October 14, 2023). "Finale Review: The Iron Heart ends with an epic, startling "ultimate ride"".
17. (August 26, 2012). "Albert: Liezl as normal as everybody now". [[ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs]].
18. Kabristante, George Vail. (August 17, 1989). "Where are they now?". Kagitingan Publications, Inc..
19. (May 18, 2015). "IN PHOTOS: Original shows versus Remakes: which is better?".
20. "Albert Martinez's extraordinary, much-admired portrayals as a Kapamilya actor". ABS-CBN Entertainment.
21. "Glaiza de Castro's debut album to be launched two years after its release". [[PEP.ph]].
22. "Vic Sotto and Comedy King Dolphy regard each other with mutual love and admiration".
23. (April 15, 2011). "May Bukas Pa". ABS-CBN.com.
24. "Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo :: ABS-CBN.com".
25. "Jolina Magdangal returns to PEP blog scene, expensive hair and all!".
26. (August 15, 2011). "Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin will begin airing on March 7". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
27. Fullido, Gretchen. (December 4, 2010). "Kapamilya stars shine during Trade Launch event". [[ABS-CBN News]].
28. "Jericho Rosales is waiting patiently for the airing of his next TV series :: ABS-CBN.com".
29. (January 24, 2011). "Green Rose Full Trailer". [[YouTube]].
30. "Pinoy version of Green Rose will start airing on Valentine's Day".
31. "Kenyo moves forward with release of second album Maharlika".
32. "SEARCH {{pipe}} PUSH.COM.PH: Your ultimate showbiz hub!".
33. (December 29, 2013). "Showbuzz :: ABS-CBN.com".
34. "Nasaan Ka Elisa and Maria la del Barrio lead stars will grace March 13 episode of ASAP Rocks".
35. "Cast Members: Nasaan Ka Elisa? | Guide | PEP.ph: The Number One Site for Philippine Showbiz".
36. "Kathryn Bernardo shifts from drama to horror in Shake Rattle and Roll 13 | PEP.ph: The Number One Site for Philippine Showbiz".
37. (7 October 2013). "Juan dela Cruz will hit the big screen". Sunstar.
38. "Anne Curtis is Dyesebel". ABS-CBN News.
39. ABS-CBNnews.com, Miguel Dumaual. "How ABS-CBN pulled off surprise 'Dyesebel' announcement". ABS-CBN News.
40. "ABS-CBN reveals powerhouse cast of 'Dyesebel'".
41. "'Dyesebel' makes huge splash in ratings".
42. "Throwback: Alice Dixson says Dyesebel 'made me'". ABS-CBN News.
43. "How Marian reacted to Anne as Dyesebel". ABS-CBN News.
44. (May 26, 2014). "SANA BUKAS PA ANG KAHAPON Teaser". [[YouTube]].
45. (May 29, 2014). "SANA BUKAS PA ANG KAHAPON Full Trailer". [[YouTube]].
46. (January 9, 2014). "PHOTOS: Sana Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon Presscon". [[ABS-CBN Corporation]].
47. (January 9, 2014). "Bea Alonzo makes TV comeback with soap". [[ABS-CBN News]].
48. Serato, Arniel C.. (January 9, 2014). "Bea Alonzo excited but pressured about her new primetime series". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
49. Blanco, Eunice. (January 10, 2014). "A 'new Bea Alonzo' in upcoming tele-serye comeback". [[The Philippine Star]].
50. (February 3, 2014). "Bea doesn't mind being paired with older actors". [[ABS-CBN News]].
51. ABS-CBN Entertainment. (August 22, 2015). ""All of Me" Official Music Video by JM de Guzman". [[YouTube]].
52. ABS-CBN Entertainment. (August 17, 2015). "ALL OF ME Full Trailer: This August on ABS-CBN!". [[YouTube]].
53. (May 17, 2015). "JM de Guzman teams up with Albert Martinez, Yen Santos in 'All of Me'". starcinema.abs-cbn.com.
54. (May 23, 2015). "JM de Guzman, Balik-Bida na sa Teleseryeng "All of Me"". kapamilyalogy.blogspot.com.
55. Buan-Deveza, Reyma. (May 18, 2015). "Coco to star in TV remake of FPJ's 'Ang Probinsiyano'". [[ABS-CBN News]].
56. "EXCLUSIVE: Albert Martinez reveals there will be a new twist in 'La Luna Sangre'".
57. Bardinas, Mary Ann. (March 10, 2025). "Netizens excited over the arrival of new characters in "FPJ's Batang Quiapo"".
58. (June 24, 1997). "To kill Rizal again". Manila Standard.