Arzen Rose Dulzura

Janice De Belen’s teleserye portrayals that showcased her versatility as an actress

Article (news)

Mary Ann Bardinas

As she has already portrayed a number of maternal roles in the series and movies that she starred in, there’s definitely no doubt that Janice De Belen is one of the most sought-after and top favorite on-screen mothers.  And in one of her latest TV acting projects, “<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/savinggrace" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Saving Grace</a>,” she has once again amazed many with her depiction of Helena Sarmiento, the tough yet loving mother of the lead character Anna Sarmiento, played by Julia Montes.  With only a few days away from the much-awaited television premiere “<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/savinggrace" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Saving Grace: The Untold Story</a>,” which is based from the hit Japanese drama “Mother,” let’s revisit the notable nanay roles of the esteemed veteran actress in Kapamilya teleseryes through the years in this edition of Kapamilya Spotlight.  Janice has been in the industry for almost five decades, starting out as a child star in the late 70s and appearing in a slew of movies and television programs since then.  However, it was only in 1995 when she made a debut in ABS-CBN via the soap opera “Pamilya Zaragoza.” She then got cast in the classic Kapamilya dramas “Mula Sa Puso” (1997-1999) and “Saan Ka Man Naroroon” (2000-2001) before working in another network for the next 10 years.  Janice returned to the Kapamilya network in 2011 through the series “Budoy,” in which she played the role of Elena Dizon, the doting adoptive mother of the titular character stricken with Angelman Syndrome depicted by Gerald Anderson.  The following year, we got to see her kontrabida facet in the family drama “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/articles-photos/throwback-ina-kapatid-anak-2012-14552" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ina, Kapatid, Anak</a>,” as she took on the role of Beatrice Marasigan, the mother of sisters Celyn and Margaux, portrayed by Kim Chiu and Maja Salvador. It was also in 2013 when she starred in the kiddie serye “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/articles-photos/throwback-honesto-2013-14613" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Honesto</a>” as Lourdes Galang, the adoptive mother of the titular character played by child actor Raikko Matteo. She continued to endear viewers with her mother roles in the succeeding teleseryes that she did. We admired her as Rose Luna, the “teacher-ninang” of Janella Salvador’s Sophia Cepeda, who became her foster mom following the demise of both her parents in the 2015 daytime drama “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2024/11/26/throwback-glam-shots-of-oh-my-g-cast-2015-0322" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Oh My G!</a>” In 2016, our mornings indeed got brighter as her character, Marcy Crisostomo, along with her beloved family in the daytime series “Be My Lady” brought positive vibes to viewers. After two years or working in another network, Janice made a comeback on ABS-CBN in 2018, with the “Wansapanataym: Offishially Yours” as one of her projects, in which she took on the role of Lorna Ortiz, the endearing mom of Elisse Joson’s Stella. The following year, she once again astounded us with her portrayal of the kontrabida Amelia Guerrero in “The General’s Daughter,” the standoffish adoptive mom of the titular character portrayed by Angel Locsin. It was also in 2019 when she made a guest appearance in the crime-drama series “Sino Ang Maysala: Mea Culpa” as the mother of Jodi Sta. Maria’s character, Fina Baniaga.  In 2020, she worked on the revenge drama “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lavidalena2021/articles-videos/15-of-the-juiciest-grandest-confrontation-scenes-in-la-vida-lena-16612" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">La Vida Lena</a>,” wherein we witnessed her journey as plastic surgeon Dra. Ramona Joaquin, who served as one of the fierce allies of the titular character portrayed by Erich Gonzalez. Two years later, she got cast in the romance-drama series “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/2/25/red-flag-jr-at-matt-inalalayan-pauwi-si-cha-episode-22-2355" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Love In 40 Days</a>” as Ofelia, the housemaid of the Montemayor Family, who turned out to be the real mom of Ronnie Alonte’s character, Edward. We then witnessed Janice’s most ferocious performances as an antagonist to date via the 2023 controversial series “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/dirtylinen/articles-videos/10-scenes-that-prove-leona-does-her-best-to-love-and-protect-aidan-in-dirty-linen-19803" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dirty Linen</a>,” wherein she infuriated viewers as the ruthless and wicked Leona Fiero. Contrarily, we saw the lighter side of her in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/seckim2024/articles-videos/did-you-know-whats-wrong-with-secretary-kim-filmed-some-scenes-inside-abs-cbn-watch-the-bts-video-22759" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim?</a>,” the 2024 Pinoy adaptation of the hit Korean drama of the same title as she played Carlota Castillo, the affectionate and supportive mom of Brandon and Cyrus, portrayed by bankable heartthrobs Paulo Avelino and Jake Cuenca.  Aside from the aforementioned teleserye, the esteemed veteran actress also starred in several episodes of the legal drama anthology show “Ipaglaban Mo!,” namely, “Ang Lahat Ng Sa Akin” (2015) and “Hawig” (2018), as well as of the drama anthology series, “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” specifically, “Wedding Gown” (2014), “Medalya” (2019), and “Mata” (2020).  And this year, more Kapamilya viewers will get to see her remarkable portrayal of Helena Sarmiento, the tough yet loving mother of Julia Montes’ character, Anna, as the highly talked about series “<a href="http://abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/savinggrace" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Saving Grace</a>” is set to have its television broadcast across the platforms of ABS-CBN beginning on March 3.

Let’s look back on some of Janice de Belen’s brilliant depiction of teleserye nanay roles through the years in this episode of Kapamilya Spotlight.

Let’s look back on some of Janice de Belen’s brilliant depiction of teleserye nanay roles through the years in this episode of Kapamilya Spotlight.