Singer-actress Tootsie Guevara makes Hollywood debut in ‘Nurse the Dead’

OPM diva Tootsie Guevara is making her Hollywood debut in “Nurse the Dead,” the newest dramedy-fantasy series from iWant and the platform's first bilingual English-Tagalog original produced in the US.

The project marks a major milestone for the former OPM singer and actress as she returns to acting after years of focusing on a career in healthcare in the US.

"Nurse the Dead" is helmed by award-winning Filipino-American filmmaker and screenwriter Mark Labella, with Filipino director Drea Castro. Aside from Guevara, the series features an ensemble cast led by Fil-Am actress Jelynn Sophia Malone, alongside Filipino actors Anthony Jennings (Can’t Buy Me Love, Incognito), Princess Punzalan (Mula Sa Puso), Ruby Rodriguez (Enteng Kabisote), and Gigette Reyes (Darna).

Guevara plays Nurse Zeny, a bubbly and witty healthcare professional who brings humor and heart to the series. For her, the role was both enjoyable and meaningful, as it highlights the dedication of Filipino healthcare workers while adding humor to the story.

 On social media, Guevara said, “I am beyond grateful to be part of a TV series with so much purpose and heart.”

“This project is more than entertainment—it’s about representation. It’s about finally seeing our stories, our culture, and our Filipino community reflected on screen for the world to see.”

The 45-year-old also thanked creator and director Labella, praising his leadership and compassion. 

“To all my fellow healthcare workers, Filipino nurses, and kababayans around the globe—this one is for YOU.” Guevara encouraged audiences to support the series and help elevate Filipino storytelling, talent, and excellence on the world stage.

The story follows Noa Reyes (Jelynn Sophia Malone), a hardworking Filipina nurse struggling to balance the demands of her career and personal life while secretly possessing the ability to communicate with the dead who roam the healthcare facility where she works.

The project pays tribute to nurses and healthcare providers while celebrating Filipino culture and the Filipino diaspora. The series streams globally today, June 12, coinciding with Philippine Independence Day.

The singer-actress recently performed at the Philippine Independence Day event at Veterans Park in Carson, California. She took the stage with her latest single, “It’s Tootsie,” ushering in her new era, Tootsie 2.0, while showcasing her musical evolution.

Guevara, whose real name is Emma Therese Pinga, built her career as one of OPM’s most recognizable singer in the late 1990s and early 2000s, known for hits such as “Kaba,” “Pasulyap-Sulyap,” and “Mahal Ka Sa’kin.” 

After stepping away from show business, she built a career in the US as an executive in the healthcare industry. She balances corporate work with her return to entertainment. Guevara lives in California with her family.