Sunday Senti Specials: The Dethroned Bb. Pilipinas Anjanette Abayari

courtesy of Debby Javier

1991 was a relatively tumultuous Bb. Pilipinas year, owing to the dethronement of Anjanette Abayari as Bb. Pilipinas Universe. Bb. Pilipinas International Ma. Patricia Benito was offered to replace her but politely declined and opted to stick it out with a Miss International stint in Japan. As a result, Bb. Pilipinas Maja Ma. Lourdes ‘Alu’ Gonzalez was next in line and went on to represent the country in that year’s Miss Universe held in Las Vegas and won by Lupita Jones of Mexico. 1st Runner-Up Selina Manalad found herself assuming the Maja Internacional mission, which elevated 2nd Runner-Up Jenette Fernando to the former’s spot.

Anjanette’s American citizenship was the culprit. So instead of sulking with the turn of events, she decided to give in to the call of showbiz opportunities which led her to becoming a sex symbol, a leading lady in action and comedy movies and later peaked when she was tapped to star as “Darna” in the superheroine’s long list of remakes.

After Anjanette left the country to go back to the US, her popularity went downhill. But then again, she wanted a more fulfilling life and thought it was the best move to take at the time. The public completely forgot about her until an incident in Guam back in 1999 propelled her back in the news, but for uglier reasons. She was charged with the possession of shabu at the island’s airport and could no longer re-enter the Philippines due to a 3-year probation rule that was lifted last 2003.

Somehow, that dark moment in her life served as the turning point from where she made a final resolve to make good as a person. While she also had quite a rocky relationship with ex-boyfriend David Bunevacz, all is water under the bridge. She is happily married now, with two adorable sons – Aiden and Ashton. Outside of an intrigue that linked her with Manny Pacquiao, all’s well on the domestic front for this lovely lady who visited the country last February to shoot an international movie in our shores.

Watch her TV interview with Boy Abunda now.

courtesy of ABS-CBN News