If there is one local celebrity who can be considered as the personification of beauty, it has got to be Assunta de Rossi. However, her allure does not simply end with her pretty face, as she has more to offer the audience.
Maria Assunta Tiotangco Schiavone was born on February 19, 1981 in Lecce, Italy to Italian Luigi Schiavone and Nenita Tiotangco. She started her career when she was just 14, as a member of the popular 90’s youth oriented variety show That’s Entertainment (which produced a lot of stars in the local entertainment scene). De rossi was part of the Monday Group, which also produced the likes of Ruffa Gutierrez, Aiko Melendez and Carmina Villaroel.
After a stint in That’s Entertainment, De Rossi would move on to do teenage roles in various shows in That’s home network GMA. These roles include stints in classic sitcom Ober Da Bakod in 1995 and long running gag show Bubble Gang, of which she was one of the original cast members. After eight years at GMA, de Rossi would later move to GMA’s rival station ABS CBN in 2003. Her first role in her new home studio was that of Sharon in the 2003 youth oriented drama Buttercup.
Assunta De Rossi also has a rather prolific film career. Just like her TV career, she started out doing supporting roles in teen flicks like Sabi Mo Mahal Mo Ako Wala nang Bawian (1997) and Sumigaw ka Hanggang Gusto Mo (1999). Her first lead role was in the 2000 film Tugatog. However, it was the series of sexy films she would do later which would truly launch her to stardom. These series of films include Red Diaries , Sisid, and Hubog, all shown in 20001.
In late 2001, De Rossi starred in the film Azucena alongside her sister Alessandra. The film would prove successful and both sisters were awarded the Best Actress trophy at that year’s Metro Manila Film Festival. This would mark Assunta’s transition to more varied film roles, including comedy (Pinay Pie, 2003) and drama (Mourning Girls, 2006).
De Rossi’s personal life was as controversial as her roles. Her sudden transfer to ABS CBN created a ruckus, as GMA was building her as a potential prized talent. However, it was her marriage to politician Julio “Jules” Ledesma created even more noise. One reason why many objected to the marriage was their age gap (De Rossi was only 19 while Ledesma was already a 40-year old widower during the time of the marriage). However, despite all the issues, the couple has managed their relationship well.
