Biography

A Star Is Born
Tootsie was born Emma Therese Pinga, to Ma. Teresa Macalanda Pinga and Emmanuel Guevara Pinga, in Manila. Her birthday is August 17, and she’s a Leo.

What’s In A Name?
Tootsie’s real name, Emma Therese, is a combination of her parents’ names: Emmanuel and Teresa. So is her nickname Tootsie: from Totoy and Tess. She also narrates that when her mother was pregnant with Tootsie, the shoes she wore were Tootsies Mootsies.

All in the Family
Tootsie is the fifth of six children. Her four half-siblings: Mary Martine, Jonas, Victor Emmanuel, and Gian Anthony all live in the US. Only Tootsie and younger sister Tynee live in the Philippines.

Starting Young
Her parents found out early on that Tootsie responded to music. At around three months old, she would cry until music was turned on for her to hear, at which point she would quiet down.

At 5 years old, she would arrange the chairs in their living room, pretend her hairbrush was a microphone, and perform for an audience. She would be host, singer, and sometimes, Ms. Universe.

Tootsie’s father, Emmanuel, was her mentor at an early age. Being a music lover himself (“He’s a frustrated singer.”), he helped hone her daughter’s talents. He taught her to dance the cha cha, boogie, waltz, and swing. He also taught her performance skills, diction, and pronunciation.

Tootsie’s early repertoire included Lea Salonga’s I Am But A Small Voice, Abba’s Chiquitita, Thank You For The Music, and Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody.

Schools Out
Tootsie has lived in different parts of the Philippines, because her father was assigned to work in several provinces. From age 1 to 4, they lived in Iloilo. Here, when she was in Prep at Assumption Iloilo, she was consistently music class leader. Seeing that she was musically-inclined, the sisters at Assumption encouraged Tootsie’s parents to enroll her in music school.

At age 4 ’til 8, Tootsie studied at St. Theresa’s in Cebu. Here, starting at only 4 yrs. old, she co-hosted 3 local television shows for the next 2 years. Of the experience, she remembers: “Bungi pa nga ako noon.”

First Time
Her first television appearance occurred when she was 4 yrs. old.

Tootsie’s mother called in to the local radio station and Tootsie sang over the phone. Consequently, TV producers searched for the child with a golden voice, to sing for an episode they were doing to welcome balikbayans to Cebu. Viewers were touched at the sight of a small child in a terno, singing “Hindi Kita Malimot”, juxtaposed with images of balikbayans. Tootsie still has a copy of the episode: “Mukha akong kawawa doon!”

Soon after, Tootsie won as regional champion of the Yamaha Musicmate Competition. She was discovered by an executive from Vicor Records in Cebu. She flew back to her birthplace, Manila, to record her LP, the single “Nais Kong Umawit”.

That’s My Girl
“I was a taxpayer at 8 yrs. old,” recalls Tootsie, who became part of the popular variety show, That’s Entertainment, that was the springboard for many talented artists. Her first manager was Raul Laurente, who at the time, also managed Manilyn Reynes and (pre-pubescent) Billy Joe Crawford.

In 1990, Vicor released “Kinabukasan Ko”, Tootsie’s first album, for which she was nominated as Best Child Recording Actress.

Flying High
In 1996, though That’s Entertainment ended its run, Tootsie was not without career options. She signed a contract with Star Records, and in 1997, released “Pasulyap-Sulyap” whose title track was written by Vehnee Saturno. The album attained Gold Record status. Tootsie was also a mainstay of several TV shows, among them “Jammin’” and “Best Friends”.

In 1998, Tootsie released “Kaba”, which then earned a Double Platinum award. The album was produced by Vehnee Saturno. Her succeeding album, “Sa Puso” attained Gold Record status.

Her repackaged album, “Pangako Sa ‘Yo” was her last with Star Records.

Aside from establishing herself as a musical artist, Tootsie has also been flexing her acting muscles. Initially, she played antagonist, as the daughter of Carmi Martin’s character on “Kahit Kailan”. Of late, she is also the antagonist in Book Two of “Habang Kapiling Ka”.

Honor Roll
Not that Tootsie neglected her studies, though. “That was still my priority.” She was a consistent honor student in grade school at St. Theresa’s College, and in high school at St. Scholastica’s Marikina. She graduated in the top 20 of her class from St. Paul University with a degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management, where she was also a thesis awardee.

Idols! Idols!
Ever since she was a child, Tootsie has always looked up to Lea Salonga. I Am But A Small Voice was the first of Lea’s songs that Tootsie loved. She also idolizes Celine Dion, and Mariah Carey, and wants to achieve what they have achieved, or at least, come close to their talent. She likes Jennifer Lopez’s style, especially her fashion sense.

In terms of acting, Tootsie looks up to industry stalwarts Vilma Santos, Lorna Tolentino, and Nora Aunor.

Mounting the Stage
Tootsie has had her own concerts in different venues abroad: US, Australia, and Japan. But her first concert in the Philippines was held in Ratsky’s QC (Tomas Morato) on the 30th of July. Her special guests were Luke Mejares and Jay-R.

Down Time
Tootsie is a busy young lady, that relaxation is a luxury. During her precious down times, she sleeps, gets a facial, goes to the gym, dances, watches TV, and-believe it or not-eats and eats!

Tootsie is very adventurous. She enjoys karting and jet-skiing. She also has great passion for photography, interior and fashion design.

Self Development
Tootsie is not resting on her laurels, nor is she being complacent about her talent. She is taking voice lessons under Kitchie Molina from UP.

Philosophy
Even at such a young age, Tootsie believes that because of her richness of experiences, she is now mature. She appreciates that in showbusiness, “You have to reinvent yourself. But as long as you know your moral values, your principles, know where you stand, you keep your feet on the ground, you’ll have no problem.”

Tootsie is not lacking for aspirations. She wants to accomplish a lot of things. “I think I am capable of becoming a wife, but the man should understand that I love my work. I want to become a mother only after I’ve achieved the things I want to accomplish. After all, I’ve invested a lot in this business already.”

Tootsie is very thankful to her mother for believing in her talent all these years. Sometimes even I don’t believe in myself, but my parents have always believed in me and supported me. And I thank them for that.