Carla Angeline Reyes Abellana-Santos (formerly Mott), (; born June 12, 1986) is a Filipino actress who played the lead role in the Philippine adaptation of the Mexican telenovela Rosalinda (2009). She is also known for other leading roles in Sine Novela: Basahang Ginto (2010), Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Langit (2011–2012), Makapiling Kang Muli (2012), My Husband's Lover (2013), My Destiny (2014), Because of You (2015–2016), Mulawin vs. Ravena, I Heart Davao (2017), Pamilya Roces (2018), Love of My Life (2020–2021), Stolen Life (2023–2024) and Widows' War (2024–2025). She is currently an exclusive artist of Triple A Management and exclusive talent of GMA Network.
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 Year Title Role 2009Rosalinda Rosalinda Perez / Paloma Dorantes 2010 The Last Prince Sonia Sine Novela: Basahang Ginto Orang Dimarucot / Laura Leyva Ilumina Hannah Jillian: Namamasko Po Joyce 2011 Magic Palayok Pilar Sallave 2011–2012 Kung Aagawin Mo ang Langit Ellery Martinez-Alejandro 2012 Legacy Herself Makapiling Kang Muli Leilani Angeles 2013 My Husband's Lover Eulalia "Lally" Agatep-Soriano 2014 My Destiny Grace Dela Rosa-Andrada 2015 Pari 'Koy Michelle Capistrano-Banal Dangwa Julia 2015–2016 Because of You Andrea Marquez-Salcedo 2016 Juan Happy Love Story Adult Katkat 2017 Mulawin vs. Ravena Aviona I Heart Davao Hope Villanueva-Torres 2018 Pamilya Roces Crystal Rose Roces-Javellana 2020–2021 Love of My Life Adelle Nisperos-Gonzales 2021 To Have & to Hold Erica Pineda-Gatchalian 2022 First Lady Andrea Marquez-Salcedo 2023 Voltes V: Legacy Dr. Mary Ann Armstrong Black Rider Becky 2023–2024 Stolen Life Lucilla "Lucy" Hidalgo-Rigor / Farrah Dela Cruz-Rigor 2024–2025 Widows' War Georgina "George" Balay-Palacios
Anthologies Year Title Role 2009 SRO Cinema Serye: Carinderia QueenJuliet2010Love Bug Presents: The Last RomanceRackie2013Magpakailanman: The Undying Love Story of Leonardo & Nonyx BuelaNonyx Buela2014Magpakailanman: Sinapupunang PaupahanNeneth Villegas2016EstelaKarelasyon: Live-in RelationshipMiriam
Sitcoms Year Title Role 2012Pepito Manaloto: Ang Tunay na KwentoTeacher Jenny2013Bubble Gang2014–16Ismol FamilyMajay Ismol2016Dear Uge: Acting DyowaSarah
Hosting Year Title Note2009–2010StarStruck V Host2010Binibining Pilipinas 20102010–2013Party PilipinasHost / Performer2011Miss World Philippines 2011 Host 2012Manny Many PrizesHabili Ng Hari: Dolphy's Legacy UncoveredProtégé: The Battle For The Big Artista Break2013–2015Sunday All StarsHost / Performer2014–2018Del Monte KitchenomicsHost2015–2017Karelasyon2022 All-Out SundaysGuest host / Performer
Modeling Year Title Role2010Bench Uncut: A Bold Look at the FutureHerself/model
Movies Year Title Role Notes2010MamarazziMimi Gonzales Main role Shake, Rattle and Roll 12DianePMPC Star Awards for Movies Award for Best New Movie ActressYoung Critics Circle Award for Best PerformanceNominated — Metro Manila Film Festival Award for Best ActressNominated — Golden Screen Awards for Breakthrough Performance by an Actress2011My Neighbor's WifeJasmine BernalNominated — Luna Awards for Best Supporting ActressYesterday, Today, TomorrowCharlotteManila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga StoryFidelaNominated — FAMAS Award for Best Actress2014Third EyeMyleneSo It's YouLira Joy MacaspacSomebody to LoveSabrina MadrilejosShake, Rattle & Roll XVAimeeNominated — 2014 Metro Manila Film Festival for Best Actress2015No Boyfriend Since BirthCarina Miranda2023Voltes V: Legacy – The Cinematic ExperienceMary Ann Armstrong2025Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil OriginsMadre Clara "1775" 51st Metro Manila Film Festival Official Entry
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated for Result201036th Metro Manila Film FestivalBest ActressShake, Rattle & Roll XII: Punerarya24th PMPC Star Awards for TVBest New Female TV PersonalityRosalinda2011Young Critics Circle for FilmBest PerformanceShake, Rattle & Roll XII: Punerarya27th PMPC Star Awards for MoviesBest New Movie Actress8th Golden Screen AwardsBreakthrough Performance by an Actress201230th Luna AwardsBest Supporting ActressMy Neighbor's WifeYahoo OMG! AwardsActress of the YearNoneFAMAS AwardsBest ActressManila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story201327th PMPC Star Awards for TelevisionBest Drama ActressMy Husband's LoverThe PEP List 2013Female TV Star of the YearMy Husband's Lover2014Golden Screen Awards for TelevisionOutstanding Performance by an Actress in a Drama SeriesMy Husband's LoverYahoo! OMG AwardsActress of the YearNone40th Metro Manila Film FestivalBest ActressShake, Rattle & Roll XV: Ulam20162nd Alta Media Icon AwardsBest Comedy Actress for TVIsmol Family
References
External links
Carla Abellana at iGMA.tv