A Filipina and an actress in the Philippine Movie Industry, Snooky Serna or Maria Milagros Sumayao Serna in real life, was born on April 4, 1966 to actors Von Serna and Mila Ocampo. She started her career very early in life as an adorable child star, sweet and innocent and eventually captured the hearts of the Filipinos. The movie entitled “Wanted: Perfect Mother,” served as her debut in the showbiz industry. Her first acting nomination as a Best Child Performer from the FAMAS Awards was from the movie “My Little Angel,” but it is in the film “Sana Mahalin Mo Ako” that she won her Best Child Actress Award from FAMAS.
As a teenager she was launched simultaneously with other contract stars under Filipino giant film production known as the Regal Films and was groomed as leading ladies to various teen heartthrobs the likes of Albert Martinez and Gabby Concepcion. She was then playing lead roles in some daring films such as “Strangers in Paradise,” “Bata Pa Si Sabel,” and “Teenage Marriage.”
Snooky Serna had done several movie hits along with her contemporary Maricel Soriano in the 80’s namely “Underage’” “Schoolgirls,” “Story of Three Loves,” and “Anak ni Waray VS Anak ni Biday.” She was given her own TV weekly musical variety show entitled “Always Snooky” and starred in a weekly drama series “Regal Drama Presents: Snooky,” all produced by the ABS-CBN Network.
As she grew to be a more mature and seasoned actress, the projects assigned to her were beginning to be more intense and demanding. Snooky, without batting an eyelash, tackled different serious roles to prove her capabilities. As a result, she earned nominations for her unsurpassable acting from different award giving bodies. She had on her name “Aabot Hanggang Sukdulan,” “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” “Blusang Itim,” “Mistica,” and “Madonna: Ang Babaeng Ahas.” The movie “Koronang Itim” won her Best Lead Actress award.
But just like any other individual Snooky Serna has her own share of ups and downs. In the midst of problems and difficulties that occurred between her and her mother studio, and in the continuous battle against anorexia nervosa, she decided to take a break temporarily to assess her priorities in life, focus on her family and children in the late 1990’s. She was then married at that time to one of the versatile actors to date, Ricardo Cepeda of which she had two daughters, Sam and Sachi. The marriage lasted for 12 years and ended in an annulment in January 2006. After some time, Snooky married Nino Mendoza, a lead vocalist of a Rock Band, from whom she is already separated.
Standing up to where she fell, Snooky Serna is once again becoming visible in the entertainment business. She believes that no one can put a good man down, and holds the promise of a Lino Brocka protégée, wherein she was trained to be a fine, dramatic actress. Holding on to that promise, she is once again active in the showbiz industry, starting with guestings and TV drama series. An Iglesia Ni Cristo member, she firmly holds her faith now in her journey in life.
She is now happy working and “no love life,” she says. Being at peace with herself, enjoying her work and loving her children more is what she thinks are the most important things in her life today. She just signed a contract with GROWL entertainment under the management of Girlie Rodis, Roselle Monteverde, Lily Monteverde, Leo Dominguez and Atty. Alfredo Cruz. “When it rains, it pours,” and Snooky Serna is just so grateful about these blessings that she had been given.
