Biografia
Geraldine Schaer Bonnevie was born on January 27, 1961, to Honesto Bonnevie and Jeannette Schaer. Her grandmother was the pre-World War II actress Rosita Rivera. She has two children with comedian Vic Sotto, both of whom have shown interest in acting. She started her education at St. Theresa's College in Manila but completed her elementary and secondary studies at St. Agnes' Academy in Legaspi City, where she was actively involved in drama guilds. In 1980, she pursued Communication Arts at Ateneo de Manila University and later at the University of the Philippines. Introduced by young actor Alfie Anido to director Joey Gosiengfiao, she made her debut in teen dramas Under-age (1980) and Temptation Island (1980). Her breakthrough film was _Katorse (1984)_, co-starring Anido and Gabby Concepcion, which established her as one of the "Regal Babies," a group named after Regal Films studio. She subsequently appeared in numerous teenage love and coming-of-age dramas. In Bakit ba ganyan (1981), she sang and popularized the film’s theme song herself.
In 1985, she transitioned to dramatic roles, beginning with Mike de Leon's Heaven Is Not Divided (1985). Her filmography includes A Dangerous Life (1988) alongside 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 delivered a powerful performance as a possessed woman, impressing critics and audiences alike. She also portrayed real-life figures, such as the wife of Geny Lopez in Eskapo (1995); one of the accused parents in the child-molestation drama Minsan May Pangarap: The Guce Family Story (1995), filmed in New York City; the girlfriend of activist Leopoldo Mabilangan in Ka Hector (1994); and Governor Chavit Singson's wife in Chavit (2003), opposite Cesar Montano.
Other significant films showcasing Bonnevie's exceptional acting include Tinik sa Dibdib (1985), for which she won Best Supporting Actress at both the Film Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) and Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP); Magdusa Ka! (1986), earning her Best Actress awards from FAMAS, FAP, and the Catholic Mass Media Awards; Dirty Affair (1990), directed by Lino Brocka, which garnered her Best Actress nominations from FAMAS and URIAN Awards; and Above Everything Else (1991), which earned her nominations from FAMAS, FAP, and URIAN Awards for Best Actress. Additional nominations include Kung Kasalanan Man (1989) by FAMAS; Bakit Kay Tagal ng Sandali? (1990) by FAP; A Change of Heart (2000), which won Best Picture at nearly all local awards and brought her a URIAN Best Supporting Actress nomination; American Adobo (2001), with a URIAN Best Actress nomination; and Bridal Shower (2004), again nominated by URIAN for Best Actress.
Bonnevie also starred in lighthearted comedies with her ex-husband Vic Sotto, such as Hindi Pa Tapos ang Labada, Darling (1994) and Bakit Ba Ganyan? (Ewan Ko Nga Ba, Darling) (2000). While still married, they appeared together in Ride on Baby (1985) and Mama Said, Papa Said I Love You (1985). She also led in Tatarin (2001), adapted from Nick Joaquin's short story "Summer Solstice"; although critics were largely critical of the film, they praised Bonnevie's nuanced portrayal of Lupe Moreta. A discerning dramatic actress and devoted mother of two, Bonnevie has been notably absent from contemporary Filipino cinema. Aside from roles in soap operas, judging a recent TV talent contest, and a recent nude cover appearance for FHM Magazine, she stepped away from the spotlight during 2005 and 2006, spending that time in the United States on business.
