{{short description|Filipina actress and model (born 1982)}} {{BLP sources|date=February 2012}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2020}} {{Use Philippine English|date=June 2023}} {{Infobox person | name = Francine Prieto | caption = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1982|9|17|mf=y}} | birth_place = Las Piñas, Philippines | birth_name = Anna Marie Falcon | occupation = {{hlist|Actress|model|host}} | years_active = 1987–present | spouse = {{marriage|Frank Shotkoski|2016}} | height = {{convert|1.85|m|ftin|abbr=on}} }} '''Anna Marie Falcon''' (born September 17, 1980 in Las Piñas, Philippines), known professionally as '''Francine Prieto''', is a Filipino actress, fashion model, and radio DJ.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Constantino, Ronald K.|date=May 12, 2010|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/257045/rp-movie-industry-not-dead-just-comatose|title=RP movie industry is not dead, just comatose|work=Manila Bulletin|access-date=June 27, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527205244/http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/257045/rp-movie-industry-not-dead-just-comatose|archive-date=May 27, 2012}}</ref> She is of Chinese Filipino and Norwegian descent.<ref name="Philippine Entertainment Portal">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pep.ph/news/local/68860/francine-prieto-meets-norwegian-half-sister-for-the-first-time|title=Francine Prieto meets Norwegian half-sister for the first time|date=November 24, 2017}}</ref> She has been dubbed the "Sensuality Queen" by Philippine media due to early appearances in daring roles for Seiko Films.

==Education== Prieto studied B.S. Psychology at Adamson University, but was unable to finish her degree when she joined show business.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Calderon, Nora|date=February 3, 2009|url=http://www.pep.ph/news/20712/Francine-Prieto-solves-weight-problem-the-natural-way|title=Francine Prieto solves weight problem the natural way|work=Philippine Entertainment Portal|access-date=February 25, 2012|language=tl}}</ref>

==Career== Prieto began her career in the entertainment industry at an early age when she entered ''Eat Bulaga!'''s ''Little Miss Philippines'' in 1988, before becoming a member of ''That's Entertainment''.

===Modeling and pageantry=== In her teen years, she showed the makings of a high-profile model and ventured into the modeling industry. At 13, she was fielded in the ''Elite Model Look Search Philippines 1994'' (formerly ''Look of the Year'') and emerged as one of the finalists, where top model Linda Evangelista flew to Manila to judge the search. Prieto, then known as Anna Marie Falcon, did ramp modeling and photoshoots with her stunning Eurasian features towering at {{convert|5|ft|10|in}}.

A professional model at 14, she joined ''Bodyshots Philippines''<ref>{{Cite web|author=Canlapan, & Gelena, Beth|date=November 19, 2011|url=http://cerphin.net/balita/Bodyshots-returns-with-vengeance/artikulo/23579|title=Bodyshots returns with vengeance|publisher=Cerphin website|access-date=February 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203000026/http://cerphin.net/balita/Bodyshots-returns-with-vengeance/artikulo/23579/|archive-date=December 3, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> and finished as the runner-up. Joining the competition opened more opportunities for her in the modeling world for years. Prieto represented the Philippines at ''Miss South East Asia Peninsula International'' where she finished 2nd runner-up. In 2003, she entered Binibining Pilipinas,<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 17, 2009|url=http://www.thephilippineisland.com/philippine-celebrities/filipina-actress-francine-prieto.html|title=Filipina Actress Francine Prieto|publisher=Philippine Celebrities|access-date=February 25, 2012|archive-date=December 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111223050142/http://www.thephilippineisland.com/philippine-celebrities/filipina-actress-francine-prieto.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Binibini">{{Cite web|date=September 9, 2007|url=http://www.celebritiesph.com/actresses/filipino-actresses/francine-prieto.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011055002/http://www.celebritiesph.com/actresses/filipino-actresses/francine-prieto.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=October 11, 2007|title=Francine Prieto profile|publisher=Wow Celebrities!|access-date=February 25, 2012}}</ref> but managed to only crack the Top 12 despite doing well in the competition.<ref name="Binibini"/> Prieto then screened as a candidate for Mutya ng Pilipinas 2003, but eventually dropped her plans of entering after being offered a contract by then-giant production outfit, Seiko Films.

Prieto was the cover girl for FHM on three occasions in November 2003, October 2006, and volume 3 of its annual edition ''The Girls of FHM'', and was constantly featured on their ''100 Sexiest Women'' list.

In 2010, Prieto became the model and face of Ever Bilena Cosmetics.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Everbilena|date=September 3, 2010|url=http://everbilena.com.ph/eblog/2010/09/all-francine|title=All Francine!|publisher=Ever Bilena website|access-date=February 25, 2012|archive-date=November 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115175041/http://everbilena.com.ph/eblog/2010/09/all-francine/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Acting=== Being a former cast member of ''That's Entertainment'', Prieto appeared in her first TV project entitled ''Criselda'' on ABC (now TV5).<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1SbeobVcdf/]</ref> Prieto did several daring roles for Seiko Films together with Diana Zubiri. Her biggest break came when she played Queen Avria in ''Etheria'', the second book of ''Encantadia''. She has also done comic roles in ''Bubble Gang'', where she became one of the mainstays. Around the same time, she played Queen Kuran, a villainess in ''Kamandag'', and a supporting role in ''Codename: Asero'' as Aureana. In early 2009, she played Sheila, one of the villains in ''Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang''.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}} In the same year, she continued playing villainous roles in ''Mars Ravelo's Darna'' as Lucifera, ang Babaeng Tuod, alongside Marian Rivera in the titular role.

After being with GMA-7 for several years, she terminated her contract in 2010, and switched to rival network ABS-CBN although was non-exclusive.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Brosas, Alex V.|date=December 8, 2009|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/233120/francine-prieto-leaves-gma7-keeps-options-open|title=Francine Prieto leaves GMA-7, keeps options open|work=Manila Bulletin|access-date=February 25, 2012}}</ref> Her first role was Mrs. Smith in ''Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo''. She then played vampire co-revolutionary leader Imelda Fontanilla in the supernatural thriller series ''Imortal''.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}} She played one of the main roles in ''Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Alyna'' as Aida Natividad/Mira Fuentes, returning later on in the series.

In 2016, Prieto returned to GMA Network and had a part in the teleserye ''Oh, My Mama!''

===Radio ventures=== Aside from being an actress, she was a radio presenter at the DZMM TeleRadyo program ''Ka-Date'' together with Bobby Yan,<ref>{{Cite news|author=Entertainment|date=September 1, 2011|url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/08/31/11/francine-prieto-admits-breakup-bobby-yan|title=Francine Prieto admits break-up with Bobby Yan|work=ABS-CBN News|access-date=February 25, 2012}}</ref> which also aired on DZMM 630 simultaneously.

==Personal life== On March 26, 2010, Prieto's mother Amelia Falcon died at age 54 from ovarian cancer.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Llanes, Rommel R.|date=March 26, 2010|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/187113/showbiz/pep-francine-prieto-s-mom-succumbs-to-ovarian-cancer|title=PEP: Francine Prieto's mom succumbs to ovarian cancer|work=GMA News|access-date=February 25, 2012|language=tl}}</ref><ref>[http://www.pep.ph/news/47496/francine-prieto-reveals-battle-with-suicidal-thoughts Francine Prieto battles with suicidal thoughts], pep.ph; accessed September 25, 2015. {{in lang|tl}}</ref> Prieto has a paternal younger half-sister who lives in Norway,<ref name="news.abs-cbn.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/11/22/17/look-francine-prieto-meets-half-sister-in-norway-for-first-time|title=LOOK: Francine Prieto meets half-sister in Norway for first time|work=ABS-CBN News |date=November 22, 2017}}</ref> as well as a maternal older half-brother, and three more younger half-siblings from her stepfather.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}}

In 2015, Prieto became engaged to American molecular biologist Frank Shotkoski. The couple married a year later.<ref>[https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/108468-francine-prieto-engaged-frank-shotkoski/ Francine Prieto engaged]</ref><ref>[https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/news/25753/look-francine-prieto-is-now-married/story Francine Prieto is Now Married.]</ref>

==Filmography== ===Television / Digital Series=== {| class="wikitable sortable" <!-- Do not center --> |- <!-- Never add unnecessary background colors --> ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes <!-- Do not replace with or add a Network/Channel column. Network rivalry is outside of Wikipedia. Do not replace with an Episode column, Notes column is not limited to episode titles. --> ! class="unsortable" | Source <!-- Use third party sources other than the actor's IMDB page --> |- <!-- Do not add rowspan --> | 1988 | ''Little Miss Philippines'' on ''Eat Bulaga!'' | Herself / Contestant | | |- | 1993–1996 | ''That's Entertainment'' | Herself / Performer | | |- | 2003–2004 | ''''All Together Now'''' | – | | |- | 2005 | ''Love to Love'' | Various Roles | | |- | 2005–2010 | ''Bubble Gang'' | Herself | | |- | 2005–2006 | ''Etheria: Ang Ikalimang Kaharian ng Encantadia'' |rowspan="2"| Reyna Avria | | |- |rowspan="3"| 2006 | ''Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas'' | | |- | ''Fantastikids'' | Armana | | |- | ''Magpakailanman'' | Various Roles | | |- | 2007 | ''Bahay Mo Ba 'To?'' | Jingle | | |- | 2007–2008 | ''Carlo J. Caparas' Kamandag'' | Reyna Kuran† | | |- |rowspan="2"| 2008 | ''E.S.P.'' | Ivy | | |- | ''Codename: Asero'' | Aureana | | |- |rowspan="3"| 2009 | ''Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang'' | Sheila | | |- | ''Mars Ravelo's Darna'' | Lucifera / Babaeng Tuod | | |- | ''Sana Ngayong Pasko'' | Aisha Dionisio | | |- |rowspan="3"| 2010 | ''Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo'' | Olivia Smith | | |- | ''Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Alyna'' | Aida Natividad / Mira Fuentes | | |- | ''Imortal'' | Imelda Fontanilla | | |- | 2012–2013 | ''Ina, Kapatid, Anak'' | Martina Lagdameo | | |- | 2014 | ''Trenderas'' | Viveka | | |- |rowspan="2"| 2015 | ''2½ Daddies'' | Mrs. Kurosawa | | |- | ''Flordeliza'' | Grace Magtanggol | | |- |rowspan="4"| 2016 | ''Carlo J. Caparas' Ang Panday'' | Rosanna F. Yambao | | |- | ''Dolce Amore'' | Claudia Buenaventura | | |- | ''Oh, My Mama!'' | Loresca Ganzon | | |- | ''Till I Met You'' | Catherine | | |- | 2017 | ''''Ipaglaban Mo!'''' | Lanie | Episode Guest Title: "Laro" <br /> Credited as Francine Prieto | |- | 2017–2018 | ''Haplos'' | Mercedes "Cedes" Bermudez-Alonzo | | |- |rowspan=3| 2018 | ''Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko'' | Mahal na Reyna | Episode title: "Si Princess Frances, at ang Gisantes" <br /> Credited as Francine Prieto | |- | ''Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko'' |rowspan="2"| Mama | Episode title: "Ex-B Academy"<br />Credited as Francine Prieto | |- | ''''Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko'''' | Episode title: "Nonoy, ang Santang Pinoy"<br /> Credited as Francine Prieto | |- | 2019 | ''Hanggang sa Dulo ng Buhay Ko'' | Mercedes "Mercy" De Jesus-Calderon | | |- | 2022 | ''First Lady'' | Former First Lady Soledad Cortez | | |- | 2025 | ''''FPJ’s Batang Quiapo'''' | Harrietta Zialcita-Valderama | | |}

===Film=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ |- ! Year || Title || Role ! Note |- | 1990 || ''Hindi Laruan ang Puso'' || – | rowspan="10" | Credited as Anna Marie Falcon |- | 1991 || ''Darna'' || Young Narda |- |1993 |Ligaw- ligawan, Kasal-kasalan, Bahay-bahayan |Beautiful Adelaide |- | 1993 || ''Divine Mercy: Sa Buhay ni Sister Faustina''|| Wanda |- | 1994 || ''Sobra Talaga... Overr!!!'' || – |- |rowspan="2"| 1996 || ''Patikim ng Pinya'' || – |- | ''Tukso Layuan Mo Ako 2'' || – |- |rowspan="3"| 1997 || ''Thalia'' || – |- | ''Imbestigasyon Kay Lolita Macarena'' || – |- | ''Abuso: Case #6433'' || – |- | 2003 || ''Liberated''|| Trixie || |- | 2004 || ''Liberated 2'' || Janelle || |- | 2005 || ''Bikini Open''|| Lara Lopez || |- | 2006 || ''Bridal Shower''|| Sonia || |- |rowspan="2"| 2007 || ''Silip''|| Celia || |- | ''Enteng Kabisote 4: Okay Ka, Fairy Ko... The Beginning of the Legend''|| Beng / Dragon Lady || |- | 2008 || ''Iskul Bukol 20 Years After: The Ungasis and Escaleras Adventure''|| Brenda || |- | 2009 || ''Oh, My Girl! A Laugh Story...'' || || Cameo |- | 2011 || ''My House Husband: Ikaw Na!''|| Tessie || |- | 2014 || ''Feng Shui 2''|| – || |- | 2018 || ''Ang Pambansang Third Wheel'' || Mary || |}

===Radio=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Title |- | 2010–2011 || ''About Me & You''<ref>{{Cite web |author=Star |date=April 12, 2010 |url=http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/sb/sb006765.htm |title=A "Kapamilya Exodus? |publisher=PHNO Website |access-date=February 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602210426/http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/sb/sb006765.htm |archive-date=June 2, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- | 2011 || ''Ka-Date'' |- | 2012–2013 || ''Xtra Xervice'' |}

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

==External links== *{{IMDb name|1421462|Francine Prieto}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20080622152819/http://www.fhm.com.ph/fhm-babes/profile/71/francine-prieto Francine Prieto's original pictorials] at [http://www.fhm.com.ph/index.php FHM Philippines] *[http://www.gmanews.tv/video/17269/Startalk-Francine-Prieto-speaks-out Startalk: Francine Prieto speaks out]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Prieto, Francine}} Category:1982 births Category:Living people Category:ABS-CBN people Category:Actors from Las Piñas Category:Binibining Pilipinas contestants Category:Filipino child actresses Category:Filipino female models Category:Filipino film actresses Category:Filipino people of Chinese descent Category:Filipino people of Norwegian descent Category:Filipino radio personalities Category:Filipino television actresses Category:GMA Network (company) people Category:Radio Philippines Network personalities Category:Star Magic Category:TV5 Network people