Anjanette Palencia Abayari (born July 20, 1970), known professionally as Anjanette Abayari is a Filipino actress and former beauty queen, known for portraying as the titular role in the 1994 film Darna! Ang Pagbabalik.[1][2] She has worked with several Philippine film legends such as Fernando Poe Jr., Dolphy, Babalu and Lito Lapid to name a few.[3]
Anjanette Abayari | |
|---|---|
| Born | Anjanette Palencia Abayari (1970-07-20) July 20, 1970 (age 52) |
| Other names | AJ, Jing |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1991–1999, 2013–present |
| Known for | Darna |
| Spouse | Gary Pangan |
| Children | 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.[4][5] She's also known for her roles in several classic Filipino films, including "Pagbabalik ng Probinsyano," "Tubusin mo ang Bala ng Puso Ko," "Asucena," "Hindi Lahat ng Ahas ay Nasa Gubat," and "Halik ng Bampira."[6]
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][7]
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. 1 year later, she came back to the Philippines to embark on her acting career. Among her notable movies were Pita, Terror ng Kaloocan in 1993, Darna! Ang Pagbabalik in 1994, Matang Agila in 1997, Pagbabalik ng Probinsyano in 1998.[2][8]
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. 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][9]
In 2013, Abayari staged her television comeback as 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]
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. On March 2018, she was engaged to Evangelist Gary Pangan.[9]
She runs a YouTube channel called "Anjanette Abayari Scriptures", which mainly focuses on Bible Studies.