whom she was close growing up, and moved to Quezon City where she attended elementary and high school. At the age of eight, Santos began her professional acting career when she made her debut by portraying a minor role in the television series Kaming Mga Ulila (1986). She then unsuccessfully auditioned for the lead role in the soap opera Anna Luna (1989). Her career prospects improved when she was cast by director Argel Joseph, with whom she worked with in Kaming Mga Ulila, to play the eponymous character in the children's television series Ula, Ang Batang Gubat (1988). She later appeared in several supporting roles in films, including Impaktita (1989), Regal Shocker: The Movie (1989), and Dyesebel (1990). Career 1992–2003: Early work and breakthrough Santos's breakthrough came when she starred opposite Gladys Reyes in Mara Clara (1992), a show that aired until 1997, and is one of the longest-running Filipino television series. Santos reprised her role in the 1996 film adaptation and won the German Moreno Youth Achievement Award and Best New Movie Actress at the FAMAS Awards for her performance. That year, she starred in the teen series Gimik (1996) as part of an ensemble cast that included Marvin Agustin, Mylene Dizon, Diether Ocampo, and G. Toengi. After being typecast for previously playing impoverished roles, Santos struggled portraying the role of a socialite in the show. "It's totally out of my comfort zone. Everything about Dianne in Gimik is not me," she said. The following year, Santos left the series and had a reduced role in its 1999 film adaptation. Esperanza (1997), in which she played the protagonist, was a turning point in Santos's career. She said that while the character is oppressed, she is braver and stands her ground. During its run, Esperanza received the highest Nielsen ratings for a television series episode with a reported 67 percent viewership. The show was later adapted as a film and earned Santos a nomination for Best Actress at the Metro Manila Film Festival. She then co-starred with Wowie de Guzman and Rico Yan in Paano ang Puso Ko? (1997). In 1999, Santos starred in the Judy Ann Drama Special, an installment of ABS-CBN anthology series Star Drama Presents. She was the youngest actress featured in the television franchise. Next, she was cast opposite Fernando Poe Jr. in Isusumbong Kita sa Tatay Ko... (1999), which became the first Filipino film to