Domingo was born at 1:00 AM on July 23, 1971 in Malate, Manila to Reynaldo Aguinaldo Domingo and Cecilia Atad Roxas. According to her, she was fond of copying her teachers and other people during her childhood life. She became interested in acting when she witnessed a musical held at the CCP Complex. She studied Theatre Arts at the University of the Philippines Diliman, apprenticing as an actress and production staff under the university's theatre company, Dulaang UP. As a theatre major, she went through selling tickets, inviting students to attend their play, begging professors to require students to watch, ushering the audience in and out of the auditorium, rehearsing all night, and learning from the not-so-conventional styles of the most diva directors. Domingo started her minor acting career through the movie, "Emma Salazar Case" produced by Regal Entertainment in 1991. It was then followed by a biographical movie "Maricris Sioson" in 1993 and as condominium maid in "Sa Ngalan ng Pag-ibig" in 1995. She was launched in television as Dolores in a series, Valiente run by ABS-CBN and GMA Network in 1992 to 1997. In 1998, she appeared in a three films produced by Viva Films, Pagdating Ng Panahon, Ikaw Pa Rin Ang Iibigin and Pusong Mamon. She also appeared on the Book 1 of a GMA Network's series, Kirara, Ano Ang Kulay ng Pag-ibig? in 1999. She had her first hosting role through "D-Day with Ms. Dina Bonnevie" in 1999. But, there was a time, when, out of sheer frustration, she stopped acting for the TV-film cameras because of bit player roles. Domingo went back to school and finished her undergraduate thesis, performing the play 'night, Mother opposite Harlene Bautista. After finishing her degree, she continued to perform in several stage productions. Until a friend, now television director Andoy Ranay, insisted that she give TV acting a second chance. She was immediately cast on ABS-CBN show, Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan in 2002. According to her, "acting for TV was really sweeter the second time around, because i found companions who are, with utmost respect to craft, knowing they also came from theater...". Following that, she was cast as Rowena in a launching television series of now Philippines Queen of Comedy Ai-Ai delas Alas, Ang Tanging Ina produced by ABS-CBN in 2003. In the same year, she reprised her role at the show's movie version produced by Star Cinema. She became famous in television through her role as crazy woman named "Lorelie" in a fantasy series, Marina starring Claudine Barretto. She was also cast in films such as Lastikman and Malikmata.