Anjanette Abayari | |
|---|---|
| Born | Anjanette Palencia Abayari (1970-07-20) July 20, 1970 |
| Other names | AJ, Jing |
| Alma mater | California State University |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1991–1999 |
| Spouse | Gary Pangan |
| Children | 2 |
Anjanette Palencia Abayari (born July 20, 1970) is an American and Filipino actress and former beauty queen, known for portraying the superhero Darna in the 1994 film Mars Ravelo's Darna! Ang Pagbabalik.[1][2]
Abayari was a former Bb. Pilipinas Universe title holder, but had to resign and give up her crown over the issue of her residency.[3][4][5]
Acting career
After a few music video appearances, including her role as Timmy T's leading lady in the video of his hit song "One More Try", Abayari joined the 1991 Binibining Pilipinas competition and won the top title. However, due to her non-Filipino citizenship and residency issues, she was dethroned with the title given to Ma. Lourdes "Alou" Gonzales.[1][6]
After her stint in the pageant, she flew back in the US and continued cheerleading for LA Raiders and did modelling and hosting for Lowrider Magazine Events. A year later, she came back to the Philippines to embark on her acting career. She signed up for a two-year contract with Viva Films and was introduced in the movie Astig. Among her notable movies under Viva include Pita, Terror ng Kaloocan (1993), Darna! Ang Pagbabalik (1994) and Silakbo (1995). Other movies from various film outlets include Aringkingking: Ang Bodyguard Kong Sexy (1996), Matang Agila (1997) and Pagbabalik ng Probinsyano (1998).[2][7]
Controversy
In October 1999, Abayari was intercepted at the airport in Guam for possession of illegal drug amphetamine, which she vehemently denied was hers. She explained that the ballpen the airport officials found in her makeup kit belonged to her sister. She didn't even realize what they were doing when they scraped it to find traces of shabu. Due to her American citizenship, she was declared persona non grata by then-president Joseph Estrada, in which she was cleared by the Bureau of Immigration in 2003. In early 2000, after a few months of being detained, she was released after paying bail of $9200. She returned to the United States to live a simple and peaceful life, while taking on different jobs.[1][8]
Recent years
In 2004, Abayari staged her television comeback in The Filipino Channel’s 10th anniversary show at the Cow Palace, which was covered in ABS-CBN's Sunday noontime show ASAP. She was slated to be part of the show, but it didn't push through due to unknown reasons.[9]
In 2013, Abayari became a regular guest on The Dr. Tess Show.[1]
In 2014, after 14 years, she briefly returned to the Philippines to visit her father. At the same time, she was interviewed by various TV shows.[2][10]
Personal life
Her parents both hail from Iloilo with long time residence in the United States. She is the granddaughter of World War II veteran retired BGen. Alfonso P. Palencia.
She has two sons, Aiden and Ashton, both from different fathers. In March 2018, she was engaged to Evangelist Gary Pangan.[8]
She runs a YouTube channel called "Anjanette Abayari Scriptures", which mainly focuses on Bible Studies.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Astig | |
| Dalawang Larawan ng Pagibig | ||
| Manchichiritchit | ||
| Pita, Terror ng Kaloocan | ||
| Row 4: Baliktorians | ||
| 1994 | Ang Pagbabalik ni Pedro Penduko | Darna |
| Brat Pack | ||
| Ober da Bakod: The Movie | ||
| Talahib at Rosas | Abba Jalandoni | |
| 1995 | Ang Syota Kong Balikbayan | Cathy |
| Batangueno Kabitenyo | ||
| Silakbo | Tina Roman | |
| 1996 | Aringkingking: Ang Bodyguard Kong Sexy | |
| Hangga't May Hininga | Leah | |
| Hindi Lahat ng Ahas ay Nasa Gubat | ||
| Tubusin Mo ng Bala ang Puso Ko | Kate | |
| 1997 | Bandido | |
| Halik ng Vampira | Vanessa | |
| Kadre | ||
| Matang Agila | ||
| 1998 | Buenavista | |
| Gagawin Ko ang Lahat | ||
| Pagbabalik ng Probinsyano | Elaila | |
| 1999 | Dibdiban ang Laban | |
| 2000 | Azucena | Lily's mother |
Television
- 1993–1995 - SST: Salo-Salo Together
- 1993 - Kool Skool[11]
- 1995 - Halik Sa Pusod ng Gubat
- 1995 - Show & Tell
- 1998–1999 - Tropang Trumpo
- 1999 - Beh Bote Nga
- 2013–2015 - The Dr. Tess Show
References
- Carpio, Audrey (March 15, 2017). "Anjanette Abayari: From Beauty Queen to Persona Non Grata". Esquire. Archived from the original on November 6, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- Araneta-Divinagracia, Dinggol (September 16, 2017). "Anjanette Abayari: The First "Ilongga" Darna!". Asian Journal. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- "Bibinibing Pilipinas -Anjanette - Abayari". www.bbpilipinas.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
- "Anjanette Abayari, Janina San Miguel, and other controversial Binibining Pilipinas winners". PEP.ph. Archived from the original on June 7, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
- Bianc, Josh (May 23, 2017). "Remember Anjanette Abayari? Find Out What Happened to Her!". Philippine News. Archived from the original on January 21, 2025. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
- Lo, Ricky (2001). Conversations with Ricky Lo. Anvil Publishing. pp. 197–201. ISBN 9789712710629. Retrieved February 9, 2021 – via Google Books.
- Fil-Am: The Filipino American Experience. Publico. 1999. p. 206. ISBN 9789719211006. Retrieved February 9, 2021 – via Google Books.
- Gabinete, Jojo (July 1, 2019). "Dating aktres na si Anjanette Abayari, engaged na sa isang pastor". The Bluegrass Special. Archived from the original on July 5, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- Lo, Ricky (April 13, 2004). "What's stopping Anjanette from coming home?". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on January 21, 2025. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
- Pangilinan, Robbie (December 20, 2017). "Anjanette's new 'adventures". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on February 9, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- Japitana, Norma (July 12, 1993). "Kitchie's star-studded bash". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp.
Another Viva TV project is headlined by rapper Andrew E. in a new sitcom at Channel 5 entitled 'Kool Skool.' [...] Others in the cast are Raffy and Ruby Rodriguez, Anjanette Abayari, Smokey Manaloto and Jessa Kintanar.