Marie Rachel Salman was born to Jose Fazil Taleon and Maria Cleofe Salman (whose father hailed from Bethlehem), in Mar 4 1969. She studied at the Karilagan in Magallanes and Assumption College for her elementary education, and Colegio de Santa Rosa for high school. She first appeared on television as a model for a toothpaste commercial, immediately catching the attention of the public. She then guested on various television shows as a singer and dancer. Vic del Rosario and Mina Aragon of Viva Films encouraged Rachel, she of the alabaster skin and angelic face, to join the film industry. When she was just starting out in films, Rachel, using the screen name "Dawn Zulueta," immediately entranced the movie public with her performance in _Pangarap na Ginto (1990_ qv, Robin Good (1991), _Akin and pangarap mo (1991)_ qv, and _Hanggang may buhay (1992)_ qv. Dawn could combine delicate, doe-eyed innocence with strong-willed romantic personas, as seen in performances like _Apoy sa puso (1992)_ qv and the remake of the terrific ghost story, _Patayin sa sindak si Barbara (1995)_ qv, but she could also carry a movie, top-billed, when given the chance, as in the sensational, biographical rape-story, _Maggie de la Riva Story (1994)_ qv. Ms de la Riva personally chose Dawn to portray her in this searing indictment of criminal perversion. (Ms de la Riva, a beautiful actress of the 1960s, was raped in 1967, her case became controversial and dragged on in court for 5 years. The four principally accused were meted the death sentence in 1972). Dawn was nominated at the "Gawad Urian Awards" qv for her supporting role in _Kasalanan bang sambahin ka? (1990)_ qv. She won best supporting actress honors from the "Film Academy of the Philippines" qv and the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts & Sciences ("FAMAS" qv), for _Una kang naging akin (1991)_ qv; and the Best Actress honor from the "FAMAS" qv, for _Hihintayin kita sa langit (1991)_ qv, which also earned her an URIAN nomination. She was also nominated as Best Actress for _Apoy sa puso (1992)_ qv, at the URIAN awards. In 1993 Dawn represented the Philippines' movie entry, _Hihintayin kita sa langit_ qv, at the 4th ASEAN Film Festival in Bangkok, Thailand. Dawn took a respite from films after her 1997 movie _To Saudi with Love_, and made a comeback in the family ensemble-drama _Filipinas (2003)_ qv. In between, she got married to Davao businessman Anton Lagdameo in December 27, 1997. They have a child. On television, Dawn plays the Queen of Fairyland, "Inang Reyna/Mine-a," in the 2005 soap _Encantadia_ qv.
