Therese Martin Alcala Malvar (born September 16, 2000), occasionally credited as Teri Malvar, is a Filipino actress known for her performances in independent films. She gained recognition for her debut in Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita (2013), earning the Best Actress award at the 1st CineFilipino Film Festival at age 13. Malvar has since received multiple acting honors, both locally and internationally.
Early life and education Malvar was born Therese Martin Alcala Malvar on September 16, 2000. She is the daughter of stage and independent film actress Cherry Malvar. Malvar is also the third great-granddaughter of two Philippine heroes, General Miguel Malvar and Dr. José Rizal.
She made her film debut in Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita after joining her mother at an audition at age 12, with no formal acting training prior to the project.
While filming Inagaw na Bituin, Malvar continued her high school studies and graduated as class salutatorian. In June 2024, she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Video from MINT College.
Career Malvar made her film debut at age 13 in Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita. In the film, she played the titular character, a 12-year-old girl who falls in love with an older woman. For her performance, she won Best Actress at the inaugural CineFilipino Film Festival, becoming the youngest recipient of the award. She earned the distinction over veteran nominees, including Nora Aunor. She also received a nomination for Best Actress at the 37th Gawad Urian Awards, New Movie Actress of the Year at the 30th PMPC Star Awards for Movies, and Best Breakthrough Performance by an Actress at the 11th Golden Screen Awards.
In 2015, Malvar portrayed the role of Jinky in Hamog, a role that earned her multiple local and international awards, including Best Actress at the 40th Moscow International Film Festival. In 2017, the Film Development Council of the Philippines awarded her with the Artistic Excellence Award. She also starred in the horror film Ilawod as the titular malicious water spirit. The following year, she tied with herself for the Best Supporting Actress award at the 14th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival for her roles in School Service and Distance, the first time in Cinemalaya history that an actor tied with themselves in a single category.
In 2019, Malvar portrayed the lead role of Ariela Lopez in the drama series Inagaw na Bituin, a role that allowed her to showcase her singing talents. This was also her first leading role on television. In 2022, she portrayed Cynthia in the film Broken Blooms. For her role, she won Best Actress at the Saskatchewan International Film Festival. The same year, Malvar was also selected as a judge at the 2022 Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.
In 2023, she starred in the socio-political film, Oras de Peligro. Malvar was also among the selected Philippine delegates for the ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards. In November, she made her Regal Studio Presents debut with the episode, "Baddest Best Friend".
In 2025, she joined the cast of Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre. She was also cast in Quezon and Bar Boys: After School that year. Malvar was also an associate producer on the documentary Food Delivery.
Personal life Since June 2026, Malvar has been engaged to filmmaker Jaime Morados.
Filmography Films Year Title Role Notes 2013Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni AnitaAnita Credited as "Teri Malvar"; Won—1st CineFilipino Film Festival for Best Actress2014Bitukang Manok Danielle Credited as "Teri Malvar"Tumbang PresoJea2015Child HausHamogJinky Won—40th Moscow International Film Festival for Best ActressMatangtubigMelody Credited as "Teri Malvar"2016Gasping for Air (1-2-3)ReynaSud sa GinhawaanTeresa Short film; credited as "Teri Malvar"Sakaling Hindi MakaratingSol Entry for the CineFilipino 2016 Film Festival 2017BaconauaDian Entry for the 13th Cinemalaya Independent Film FestivalIlawodIsla Won—2nd EDDYS Award for Best Supporting Actress Spirit of the Glass 2: The Haunted Anita 2018School ServiceLinda Won—14th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival for Best Supporting Actress (tied with herself)Distance Karla 2022Broken BloomsCynthia Won—Saskatchewan International Film Festival for Best Actress Ang Pagliligtas sa Dalagang Bukid Atang de la Rama Entry for the QCinema International Film Festival 2022 2023 Oras de Peligro Nerissa Entry for the 11th Asian Film Festival Barcelona (AFFBCN) 2024 Pushcart Tales Emily Entry for the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2024 Guardia de Honor Marie Entry for the 46th Moscow International Film Festival Lumang Tugtugin Angela Short film2025QuezonNadia Hernando Bar Boys: After School CJ David Entry for the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival
Television Year Title Role Notes 2013 My Husband's Lover young Eulalia "Lally" Agatep The Ryzza Mae Show Herself / Guest Guest appearance 2014 Rhodora X young Roxanne 2015 Let the Love Begin Lily Credited as "Teri Malvar"Karelasyon: Tres Rosas young Maring 2016 That's My Amboy Maricar's Classmate Season 1, Episode 7; uncredited Maynila: Don't Give Up on Us Tin-tin Once Again Lynnel Soriano Oh, My Mama! Peewee 2017 Magpakailanman: Pag-ibig sa Likod ng Kababalaghan (The Chito and Daisy Mercader Story) young Jessica Mercader Season 1, Episode 203 Legally Blind Nina Evangelista Supporting Role Wagas: Drug Runner Season 1, Episode 191 Trops Veronica "Nurse Ronnie / Nica" Sanchez Recurring Role Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: Kristel (The Aswang Slayer) Glody Season 1, Episode 27 Wagas: Mata Season 1, Episode 210 Kambal, Karibal young Teresa Abaya Season 1, Episode 5; uncredited Tadhana: Pamana Wena Season 1, Episode 30 2018 Wagas: Mukha ng Pag-ibig Season 1, Episode 219 Imbestigador: Sipocot Rape-Slay Case Jean Ivy Orea Magpakailanman: My Sister, My Lover Ayani Season 1, Episode 259 Imbestigador: Babae sa Sementeryo Shaynadyn Alejo Credited as "Teri Malvar" Imbestigador: Secret Admirer Margie Inday Will Always Love You young Amanda Melendez Uncredited Dear Uge: Basta Dubber, Sweet Lover Marielle Season 1, Episode 129 2019 Kaibigan Special Sunday Various Roles Inagaw na Bituin Ariela Lopez Lead Role Dragon Lady Steffi (Scarlet's Beshie) Dear Uge: Kabitana Melissa Episode 1, 167 2019—2020 Beautiful Justice Hershey Bernardo Supporting Role 2021 Babawiin Ko ang Lahat Lalaine "Lala" Vasquez Dear Uge: Community Panthief Monique Season 1, Episode 221 2022 Little Princess Masoy Supporting Role Unica Hija young Cara OroscoGuest Role 2023Luv Is: Love at First ReadAbigail "Gail" Garcia Episode 1-35 Regal Studio Presents: Baddest Best Friend Mylene Season 9, Episode 11 2025 Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre Dina Villaroman Supporting Role2026Kamao Jolina "Jolly" Morales
Producer Year Title Notes 2025 Food Delivery Associate producer
Accolades Film and television awards Award Year Category Nominated work Result CineFilipino Film Festival 2013 Best Actress Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita 14th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2018 Best Supporting Actress Distance School Service Cinema One Originals 2015 Best Actress Hamog CinePanalo Film Festival 2024 Best Actress (Panalong Aktres) Pushcart Tales Best Ensemble (Panalong Ensemble) The EDDYs 2018 Best Supporting Actress Ilawod 17th Gawad Tanglaw Awards 2019 Best Supporting Actress School Service Gawad Urian Award 2014 Best Actress Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita Golden Screen Awards 2014 Breakthrough Performance by an Actress Laguna Excellence Awards 2019 Indie Film Actress of the Year School Service Mokkho International Film Festival 2022 Critics Choice Award for Best Actress in an Indie Broken Blooms 38th Moscow International Film Festival 2016 Silver St. George Best Actress Hamog 15th New York Asian Film Festival 2016 Screen International Rising Star Asia Award Northern Virginia International Film and Music Festival 2018 Best Actress - Feature Film Gasping for Air PMPC Star Awards for Movies 2014 New Movie Actress of the Year Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita 2018 Movie Supporting Actress of the Year Ilawod 2019 Movie Supporting Actress of the Year Distance 2024 Movie Actress of the Year Broken Blooms Movie Love Team of the Year 2025 Indie Movie Ensemble Acting of the Year Pushcart Tales PMPC Star Awards for Television 2025 Best Single Performance by An Actress Magpakailanman: Bayad Utang Saskatchewan International Film Festival 2022 Best Lead Actress Broken Blooms Shanghai International Festival 2016 Outstanding Artistic Achievement Golden Goblet Award Hamog 7th Urduja Heritage Film Awards 2020 Best Young Actress Distance
Honors and state recognition Organization Year Award/Honor Result Film Development Council of the Philippines 2017 Artistic Excellence Award Inquirer Indie Bravo! 2016 Award of Distinction National Commission for Culture and the Arts 2017 Ani ng Dangal – Cinema
References
External links
GMA Artist Center Profile