Dennis Gaviola

Shiela Valderrama-Martinez and daughter Simone

Article (news)

Jude Cartalaba

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:785px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758278382175IMG_8235.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Shiela Valderrama and daughter Simone</span></span></span>MANILA -- Eleven years after Shiela Valderrama charmed audiences as Fiona in “Shrek the Musical,” her daughter Simone Valderrama Martinez is stepping into the spotlight as Teen Fiona in Full House Theater Company’s upcoming production.</div><p>There is no denying that Simone, 15, inherited the talents of her parents, accomplished stage performers Shiela and Lorenz Martinez. Her mother portrayed Fiona in Atlantis Theater Entertainment Group’s  production of the same musical in 2014.</p><p>From the auditions on July 19 and 20, Simone stood out and earned her place among the young actresses cast as Teen Fiona.</p><p>When asked how she prepared for the auditions, she promptly replied, “I have always dreamed of playing Teen Fiona or especially Fiona in Shrek ‘coz of my mom. She really helped me prepare for the addition. I went over singing it countless times when I was younger, so it was easy for me to blend into my own character and sing it the way I want to sing it.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Born to be a star</strong></div><p>The stage is not new to Simone. Her first step into professional theater came when she played Fan in 9 Works Theatrical’s “A Christmas Carol.” She was also one of the lead narrators and singers for Samsung Performing Arts Theater’s annual Christmas concert “Come Home to Christmas” last December 2024.</p><p>She has also appeared in numerous concerts and special events, including the Solaire anniversary concert with National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, the ADB Delegates Welcome Gala, UNICEF’s 70th anniversary show, and the Meralco Luminaries, also with Cayabyab. She performed at the Kids Make the Future event at the Mind Museum, Rony Fortich’s “Triple Threat” concert at the CCP Little Theater, Stages Sessions as a member of Playshop Kids, and at her mother’s own Triple Threat concert “Part of My World.”</p><p>Beyond theater, Simone ventured into film with roles in two independent projects: “Hari ng Tondo” (Cinemalaya), and “The Gift,” a Malaysian indie.</p><p>She has also built an impressive résumé as a child model, appearing in print ads, TV commercials, and runway shows for brands such as Kidzania, Avon Barbie, Rustan’s Kids, Pascual Lab, Oreo Cookies, Reedley International School, Trumpets Playshop, and Privato Hotel. She was even featured in major publications, including Good Housekeeping, Mega New PH, Lifestyle Asia (Osh Kosh), Mundo Magazine, and Working Mom.</p><p>She admits that having talented parent-actors has been very helpful to her.</p><p>“It aligns with what I want to do in the future. They&#x27;ve helped me every step of the way. I&#x27;m very, very grateful. All of their projects are equally amazing and enjoyable whenever I watch them,” she said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Public perception</strong></div><p>As to how she wants people to perceive her, Simone said: “In my opinion, I don&#x27;t think people will ever see me and not think of my parents. But when people see me, I don&#x27;t want them to immediately think of my parents. I would want them to think, ‘Oh, this is an amazing artist, she&#x27;s a singer, she acts and she&#x27;s very good at what she does’ and then think, ‘Oh, she&#x27;s the daughter of Loy and Shiela, that&#x27;s probably why she&#x27;s so talented and so hardworking.’”</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758278136506db20b0f8-7331-401f-844f-c36790f871ad.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>All she wants is for people to recognize the same hard work, commitment, and passion for their craft that she and her parents put into every performance.</p><p>“When people hear my name or see me as an artist, I want them to envision the ‘feelings’ I put into my acting or into how I portray my characters and how I interpret the songs I sing . I also want them to see the hard work and the ease of standing on the stage, being confident in myself and in my character. I want people to label me as a hardworking, talented artist who conveys her feelings in a way no one else has before or who presents her talent and hones it.”</p><p>For her, most of what she learned originated from her parents.</p><p>“I don&#x27;t think that I will ever fully be separate from my parents, and I&#x27;m okay with that. I don&#x27;t want to keep away from them. I want to be able to shine alongside them.”</p><p>Like any other child of stage performers, she, too, has her own dream roles.</p><p>“My dream roles to play in the not-too-distant future are probably Nina from ‘In The Heights,’ Mimi from ‘Rent,’ Fiona from ‘Shrek,’ and ‘Evita’ from the musical Evita.”</p><div><br/></div><div><em>Catch Simone Martinez in ‘Shrek The Musical’ when it opens in November.</em></div>

<p>Eleven years after Shiela Valderrama charmed audiences as Fiona in “Shrek the Musical,” her daughter Simone Valderrama Martinez is stepping into the spotlight as Teen Fiona in Full House Theater Company’s upcoming production.</p>

Eleven years after Shiela Valderrama charmed audiences as Fiona in “Shrek the Musical,” her daughter Simone Valderrama Martinez is stepping into the spotlight as Teen Fiona in Full House Theater Company’s upcoming production.

Like mother, like daughter: Simone Martinez joins ‘Shrek the Musical’ as Teen Fiona

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Like mother, like daughter: Simone Martinez joins ‘Shrek the Musical’ as Teen Fiona

Jude Cartalaba

Published September 20, 2025 01:00 PM PHT

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Updated September 20, 2025 09:22 PM PHT

Read More:

Shrek the Musical

Simone Martinez

theater

Princess Fiona

Shiela Valderrama Martinez

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