Bida na si Joanna

Who’s that girl?

Is she Charlene Gonzales’ sister?

These are just some of the questions frequently asked of this pretty teener named Joanna Gonzales.

The 17-year old looker will be formally launched to full stardom via a movie topbilled by Joko Diaz. A veteran of countless TV series (either as a guest or semi-regular) such as H2K, Annakarenina, Tabing-Ilog, Pintados and a lot more, she has also been featured in several movies produced by FLT (Virgin Wife, Tabi-Tabi Po) at Regal Films (Onsehan, Labrador, Ako Ang Maghahatid Sa ’Yo Sa Hukay) and a host of other youth-oriented flicks.

But no matter how busy Joanna is in showbiz, she still finds time for her studies. Currently enrolled siya sa DECS Home-Study Program para kahit papaano ay hindi pa rin niya mapabayaan ang kanyang pag-aaral. Kahit informal lang.

Hindi lang sa movies namamayagpag ang beauty ni Joanna. Hataw rin siya sa print ads and product endorsements. In fact, she has just wrapped up a new 30-seconder TV commercial for a deodorant product.

But if there’s one thing that’s very interesting with Joanna is her striking resemblance to the country’s Dance Empress, Charlene Gonzales. When asked kung ginagaya ba talaga niya si Charlene at even her screen name ay Gonzales din, heto ang sagot niya, "Hindi naman po, nagkataon lang po that my screen surname is Gonzales and it was my manager’s decision to use it kasi mas bagay daw po sa akin," avers Joanna.

Isa pang major project that excites Joanna to the max is her latest movie with Joko Diaz entitled Apoy sa Buhangin where she plays Joko’s leading lady. "As in very first full-length movie ko ito kaya naman super-happy ako for this one," aniya.

The movie is under the new film outfit named Manhattan Asia and is directed by Joko’s father, Paquito Diaz.