Hazel Pascual Reyes, known professionally as Ara Mina, was born on May 9, 1979. She is a Filipina actress, singer, endorser, and entrepreneur. She grew up in Marikina City with her mother and stepfather and is the eldest of nine siblings. Her biological father is former politician Chuck Mathay. Ara Mina has a daughter named Amanda Gabrielle with Bulakan Mayor Patrick Meneses.
Ara Mina began her entertainment career at age 14 on the youth-oriented program That's Entertainment. She has starred in about 40 television shows and 60 movies, released three albums, and received several awards. She won Best Actress at the 2002 Metro Manila Film Festival for "Mano Po," and in 2003, she earned three Best Actress awards for "Ang Huling Birhen Sa Lupa." In 2004, she won Best Supporting Actress awards for her role in "Minsan Pa." Her first album received a gold record award, and she released two more albums, including one in 2008 with acoustic covers. Ara Mina has also been recognized multiple times as "Darling of the Press."
She has acted in various television genres, including sitcoms such as "Super Klenk" and "Bubble Gang," and the TV series "Mulawin." Her recent works include the TV show "Pinulot Ka Lang Sa Lupa" (2017) and the movie "My Ex and Whys." In 2012, she launched her own skincare line, Ara's Secret. In 2017, she opened Hazelberry Cafe in Quezon City. Ara Mina founded the Ara Mina Foundation in 2007 to support children with birth defects, inspired by her youngest sibling who has Down syndrome.
Philippines
