Thea Tolentino

Early life

Tolentino was born and raised in Calamba City, Laguna, Philippines, prior in joining Protégé, Tolentino stated that she had never been separated from the family. She is the niece of former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino. David Archuleta and Marian Rivera are her favorite celebrities, Crazy Little Thing Called Love is her favorite film, and Lie To Me is her favorite TV series. She's a self-proclaimed Jpop fan, most especially by the Johnny's idol group Hey! Say! JUMP. She said in interviews before that she went back to Japan just to watch their concert and to see her crush Ryosuke Yamada.

Tolentino is studying at Saint Benilde International School (Calamba) Inc. in Real as a high school senior. She did not stop her studies in high school even though she was still competing in Protégé. She will try to balance her time between her studies and commitments on television. If she has to go under home study, Tolentino is willing as long as she can finish her studies.

2012: Protégé

Tolentino auditioned in front of Gina Alajar who turned out as her mentor in the entire run of the show. She sang "Torete" by Moonstar 88 while playing a guitar. Eventually, Tolentino and Mark Kenneth Banez was chosen as one of the official protégés for that season and one of the four protégés of Gina Alajar.

Tolentino said that she joined Protégé to hone her skills, to let the people know that she has a talent and to help her family.

Mentor Gina helped Tolentino all throughout the show and Tolentino's shyness was gradually fading as the competition became tougher. The improvement in her performances during gala night was seen by the judges.

Singing is considered as Tolentino's niche. Mikoy Morales, one of Jolina Magdangal's protégés, worked with Tolentino by composing a song entitled "Butterfly". Morales and Tolentino sang the song and Mark Escueta, husband of Jolina Magdangal and one of the members of Rivermaya, helped in creating the music video of "Butterfly".

At the end of the competition, Tolentino was announced as the "Ultimate Female Protégé" by host, Dingdong Dantes. Tolentino's male counterpart in winning the competition is Jeric Gonzales, who is also from Calamba.

2012–2015: Post Protégé

Weeks after winning the reality search, Tolentino, along with co-winner Jeric Gonzales, were cast in the TGIS' sequel Teen Gen. However, the series ended its run and Tolentino moved on to take part as the scheming "Angel" in the 2013 resurrection of the series Anna Karenina. In mid-2013, GMA Network announced that they have chosen her to play the lead in the new daytime drama Pyra: Ang Babaeng Apoy as the first protagonist. In 2014 Tolentino landed the lead character of Ashley as one of the main characters in The Half Sisters, with Barbie Forteza and Andre Paras. This show garnered more extensions and positive ratings, even Tolentino's acting role as Ashley also gained praises as well.

2016–Present: Once Again

She's currently a villain in the drama Once Again, being led by Aljur Abrenica and Janine Gutierrez. She also starred in various Maynila episodes.