Carla Abellana

Early life and education

Carla Angeline Reyes Abellana was born on June 12, 1986, in Manila. Abellana is the daughter of actor Rey "PJ" Abellana and Rea Reyes. Her maternal grandmother is veteran actress, Delia Razon. She graduated cum laude from De La Salle University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology.

Career

Abellana began her career modeling for different TV commercials, including CreamSilk Leave-on in 2002 and Palmolive Conditioner in 2005 (with the appearance of Ricky Reyes). In 2009, she auditioned for Zorro, but GMA Network instead cast her for the lead role in Rosalinda—a remake of the Mexican telenovela of the same name. In the same year, she subsequently became a model for Bench. In 2011, Abellana had a spread in Philippine Tatler photographed by America's Next Top Model judge Nigel Barker. She also appeared in the Philippine Fashion Week 2011, where she modeled clothes by Michele Sison. She has co-hosted SOP Rules, StarStruck, Party Pilipinas, the cooking show Del Monte Kitchenomics, and Karelasyon, a drama anthology series, as well as hosting several pageants such as Binibining Pilipinas 2010 and Miss World Philippines 2013. In 2013, she joined Sunday All Stars as a judge.

Abellana is a contract star of Regal Films, signing a 12-picture contract with the company. Her first film under Regal Films was Mamarazzi. Abellana appeared in her first horror film which was an entry to 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival, Shake, Rattle & Roll XII. In September 2011, Abellana starred in the Regal Films film My Neighbor's Wife, and by the end of 2011, appeared in two films—both of which were entries to the 2011 Metro Manila Film Festival—Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow and Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story. In 2014, she starred in the ensemble romantic comedy by Jose Javier Reyes Somebody to Love alongside Matteo Guidicelli, and So It's You with JC de Vera and Tom Rodriguez. In 2015, she starred in the film No Boyfriend Since Birth, again with Rodriguez, and was her second film with Reyes.

In 2024, Abellana was part of the main cast on Widows' War, portraying the main antagonist, Georgina "George" Balay-Palacios. Prior to that she was cast as Lucy Rigor in Stolen Life with Gabby Concepcion and Beauty Gonzalez in 2023.

Personal life

Abellana married actor Tom Rodriguez in October 2021. In June 2022, the marriage was dissolved by a United States decree, which was confirmed by the Philippine courts in June 2024. In December 2025, she married Reginald Santos, a doctor.

In September 2024, Abellana revealed she suffered hypothyroidism since 2019 and was perimenopausal at age 37. She was also diagnosed with kidney stone disease and urinary tract infection.

Filmography

Television

Series

Anthologies

Sitcoms

Hosting

Modeling

Movies

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. "Film # 007873377 Image Film # 007873377; ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSW9-791S-1 — FamilySearch.org".
2. Balbuena, Vanessa BB. (March 29, 2024). "Carla Abellana renews exclusive contract with GMA Network".
3. Michelle Caligan. (June 12, 2014). "Throwback Thursday: A Look Back At Carla Abellana's Showbiz Life On Her Birthday!". [[GMA Network]].
4. Mikee Delizo. (June 18, 2014). "Suddenly Single Carla Abellana Looks Forward To New Love". Manila Bulletin.
5. Dinno Erence. (February 2, 2009). "Newcomer Carla Abellana to portray pinay Rosalinda!". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
6. Neil Celeste Rara. (September 13, 2013). "Carla Abellana corrects Wikipedia entry about her". GMA Network.
7. (July 22, 2009). "Bench has a new leading lady". The Philippine Star.
8. MauriceArcache. (July 27, 2011). "The women of Nigel Barker". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
9. (May 31, 2011). "Carla Abellana, Iya Villania, Danica Magpantay, Chat Almarvez + more at Michele Sison's Philippine Fashion Week couture comeback Show". [[Spot.PH]].
10. Maridol Ranoa-Bismark. (November 27, 2009). "Second chances, new beginnings". The Philippine Star.
11. (January 13, 2013). "Double your luck in Party Pilipinas". The Philippine Star.
12. (March 5, 2014). "Del Monte Kitchenomics on GMA". The Philippine Star.
13. (April 7, 2014). "Love's many facets in Karelasyon". The Philippine Star.
14. (March 12, 2010). "Maria Venus Raj to represent the Philippines in Miss Universe 2010". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
15. (August 16, 2013). "Miss World Philippines 2013 Coronation Night airs on GMA". [[GMA Network]].
16. (August 25, 2013). "Sunday All Stars presents world festivals". The Philippine Star.
17. Jocelyn Dimaculangan. (July 20, 2010). "Regal kicks off 50th anniversary celebration with Eugene Domingo's Mamarazzi". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
18. (June 29, 2024). "Carla Abellana, Tom Rodriguez's divorce now recognized by PH court". [[Philippine Daily Inquirer]].
19. (December 27, 2025). "Carla Abellana, non-showbiz partner say ‘I do’ at private ceremony". [[Philippine Daily Inquirer]].
20. (September 23, 2024). "Carla Abellana opens up on weight gain struggles due to hypothyroidism". [[GMA Network]].
21. (September 13, 2024). "Carla Abellana reveals her last hospitalization almost led to sepsis". [[Philippine Daily Inquirer]].
22. Rose Garcia. (November 8, 2009). "Carla Abellana: "Kailangan pa ng maraming exposures at mahabang panahon para matawag akong magaling na aktres."". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
23. Rommel Gonzales. (May 19, 2010). "Carla Abellana needs no permit from Geoff Eigenmann to work with Dennis Trillo". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
24. (July 24, 2012). "Two faces of Epy's dad".
25. (July 8, 2025). "MMFF releases first batch of official entries for 2025 film festival".