# Anjanette Abayari

Anjanette Palencia Abayari (born July 20, 1970), known professionally as Anjanette Abayari, is an American actress and former beauty queen, known for portraying the superhero Darna in the 1994 film Mars Ravelo's Darna! Ang Pagbabalik.
Abayari was a former Bb. Pilipinas Universe title holder, but had to resign and give up her crown over the issue of her residency.

## 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.
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).

## 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.

## 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.
In 2013, Abayari became a regular guest on The Dr. Tess Show.
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.

## 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.
She runs a YouTube channel called "Anjanette Abayari Scriptures", which mainly focuses on Bible Studies.

## Filmography
### Film

* 1993 - Astig
* 1993 - Pita, Terror ng Kaloocan
* 1993 - Row 4: Baliktorians
* 1993 - Manchichiritchit
* 1993 - Dalawang Larawan ng Pagibig
* 1994 - Brat Pack
* 1994 - Mars Ravelo's Darna! Ang Pagbabalik
* 1994 - Ober da Bakod: The Movie
* 1994 - Talahib at Rosas
* 1994 - Ang Pagbabalik ni Pedro Penduko (cameo)
* 1995 - Silakbo
* 1995 - Batangueno Kabitenyo
* 1996 - Ang Syota Kong Balikbayan
* 1996 - Hindi Lahat ng Ahas ay Nasa Gubat
* 1996 - Tubusin Mo ng Bala ang Puso Ko
* 1996 - Hangga't May Hininga
* 1996 - Aringkingking: Ang Bodyguard Kong Sexy
* 1997 - Bandido
* 1997 - Matang Agila
* 1997 - Kadre
* 1997 - Halik ng Vampira
* 1998 - Pagbabalik ng Probinsyano
* 1998 - Gagawin Ko ang Lahat
* 1998 - Buenavista
* 1999 - Dibdiban ang Laban
* 2000 - Azucena
* 2017 - Without a Body

### Television

* 1993-1995 - SST: Salo-Salo Together
* 1993 - Kool Skool
* 1995 - Halik Sa Pusod ng Gubat
* 1995 - Show & Tell
* 1998-1999 - Tropang Trumpo
* 1999 - Beh Bote Nga
* 2013-2015 - The Dr. Tess Show