Benilda Ruello Retuerto-Amante (born November 9), better known by her

stage name A stage name or professional name is a pseudonym used by performers, authors, and entertainers—such as actors, comedians, singers, and musicians. The equivalent concept among writers is called a ''nom de plume'' (pen name). Some performers ...

Gem Castillo, is a Filipino

politician A politician is a person who participates in Public policy, policy-making processes, usually holding an elective position in government. Politicians represent the people, make decisions, and influence the formulation of public policy. The roles ...

businesswoman A businessperson, also referred to as a businessman or businesswoman, is an individual who has founded, owns, or holds shares in (including as an angel investor) a private-sector company. A businessperson undertakes activities (commercial ...

and former

actress An actor (masculine/gender-neutral), or actress (feminine), is a person who portrays a character in a production. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. ...

. She began her acting career in the early 1990s when she starred in movies. A prized find of Kuya Germs, she was a talent at the defunct but long-running

That's Entertainment (Philippine TV program) ''That's Entertainment'' is a Philippine television variety show broadcast by GMA Network. Originally hosted by German Moreno and Ike Lozada, it premiered on January 6, 1986. The show concluded on May 3, 1996 with a total of 3,200 episodes. ...

Early life and education

Gem Castillo is a native of San Pablo City, Laguna,

Philippines The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an Archipelagic state, archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of List of islands of the Philippines, 7,641 islands, with a tot ...

, and provides entertainment to people there.

Career

Castillo was discovered by film executives and starred in movies produced by companies. She became more popular when she frequently appeared in

, conversing with host

German Moreno German Molina Moreno (; October 4, 1933 – January 8, 2016), also known as Kuya Germs ( or ) and dubbed as "The Master Showman", was a Filipino television host, presenter, actor, comedian, talent manager, producer, writer, and director. Early ...

. She would later sing regularly in the program and make an album under

Ivory Music and Video Ivory Music and Video, Inc. (formerly Ivory Records Corporation) is a Philippine record label owned by Viva Music Group, a subsidiary of Viva Communications. The label works with OPM veteran artists and bands/groups such as the Company, Side ...

, formerly Ivory Records Corporation.

Filmography

Film

TV series/variety show

Political career

Castillo is running for

vice-governor A lieutenant governor, lieutenant-governor, or vice governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction. Often a lieutenant governor is the deputy, or lieutenant, to or ranked under a governor — a "second-in-comm ...

of the province of Laguna in the 2025 elections.

Personal life

Castillo married San Pablo City Mayor Vicente B. Amante.

Awards and recognition

* Most Outstanding Filipino in Humanitarian Service (2023), AmerAsia * Honorary Philanthropist of the Year (2022), Nation Builders and Mosliv Awards (NBMA) * Diamond Excellence Awards (2022), Inspire Mag PH

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Castillo, Gem Living people Filipino film actresses 20th-century Filipino women singers Filipino television actresses ABS-CBN people GMA Network (company) people Filipino female models 20th-century Filipino actresses Actresses from Laguna (province) Lyceum of the Philippines University alumni Filipino actors of Chinese descent National Unity Party (Philippines) politicians People from San Pablo, Laguna Year of birth missing (living people)