Geraldine Schaer Bonnevie was born January 27, 1961 to Honesto Bonnevie
and Jeannette Schaer. Her grandmother is pre-World War II actress
Rosita Rivera. She has two children by comedian Vic Sotto, who are now
also interested in acting. She began her schooling in St. Theresa's
College, Manila, but finished her elementary and secondary education at
St. Agnes' Academy in Legaspi City, where she was very active in drama
guilds. In 1980 she enrolled in Communication Arts at the Ateneo de
Manila University and, later, the University of the Philippines.
Introduced by young actor Alfie Anido to director 'Joey Gosiengfiao, she
first appeared in teen dramas Under-age (1980) and Temptation Island (1980), but her launching
movie was _Katorse (1984)_ with Anido and Gabby Concepcion. This film established her as
one of the "Regal Babies" (named after the studio, Regal Films). She
then appeared in a longer slew of teenage love or growing-pains dramas.
Bakit ba ganyan (1981) was a film where she herself sang the theme song and
popularized it thus.
In 1985 she ventured into dramatic roles, starting with 'Mike de Leon''s
Hindi nahahati ang langit (1985). Her other films are Ein gefährliches Leben (1988), with American actor Gary Busey;
Orapronobis (1989), Pangarap na ginto (1990), Huwag mong salingin ang sugat ko (1991) and Akin ang pangarap mo (1992). In Ang babaeng nawawala sa sarili (1989), Bonnevie sizzled and
wowed critics and audiences alike in the role of a possessed woman. She
also portrayed real-life characters, such as in Eskapo (1995), as the wife of
Geny Lopez; as one of the accused parents in the child-molestation
drama, Minsan may pangarap: The Guce Family Story (1995), shot in New York City; as the girlfriend of activist
Leopoldo Mabilangan in Ka Hector (1994); and as Governor Chavit Singson's wife
in Chavit (2003), opposite Cesar Montano.
Other notable films where Bonnevie showed maturity as an actress of the
highest calibre include: Tinik sa dibdib (1985), for which she won Best Supporting
Actress at the Film Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) and Film
Academy of the Philippines (FAP) awarding ceremonies; Magdusa Ka! (1986), for
which she was given Best Actress awards by FAMAS, FAP and Catholic Mass
Media Awards; Gumapang ka sa lusak (1990), directed by Lino Brocka, for which she was nominated
by FAMAS and URIAN Awards for Best Actress; and Sa kabila ng lahat (1991), for which she
was nominated by FAMAS, FAP and Urian Awards for Best Actress. Other
acting nominations are for Kung kasalanan man (1989), FAMAS; Bakit kay tagal ng sandali? (1990), FAP; Tanging yaman (2000), which
won Best Picture in nearly all the local awards ceremonies and gave her
an URIAN Best Supporting Actress nomination; American Adobo (2001), URIAN Best
Actress nomination; and Bridal Shower (2004), URIAN Best Actress nomination again.
Bonnevie also appeared in bright comedies with her ex-husband, Vic Sotto,
in Hindi pa tapos ang labada, darling (1994) and Bakit ba ganyan? (Ewan ko nga ba, Darling) (2000). When they were still married they also appeared
together in Ride on Baby (1985) and Mama Said, Papa Said I Love You (1985). Bonnevie also topbilled Tatarin (2001), based
on the short story "Summer Solstice" by Nick Joaquin; critics nearly panned
the movie but appreciated Bonnevie's nuanced characterization of Lupe
Moreta. A dramatic actress who chooses her roles wisely and a loving
mother of two, Bonnevie is sorely missed from present-day Filipino
movies. Except for her stints on soap operas and for judging a recent
TV talent contest (and just recently, appearing unclothed as the cover
of FHM Magazine), Bonnevie disappeared from the limelight during 2005
and 2006; she was in the United States for business purposes.
