Maria Yllena Munji Laurel, better known as Ayen Munji Laurel (born November 21, 1971) is a Filipino actress and singer.[1] Part of GMA Network from 2009, she transferred to ABS-CBN in late 2015; she later returned to GMA in 2022, where she appeared on Start-Up PH, the Philippine adaptation of the South Korean TV series Start Up.[citation needed]
Ayen Munji-Laurel | |
|---|---|
| Born | Maria Yllena Munji November 21, 1971 Manila, Philippines |
| Occupation | Actress • singer |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 4 |
Munji was previously married to Jefri Bolkiah, Prince of Brunei, with whom she had a son.[2]
Career
In 2007, she made her acting debut on GMA Network as a full-time actress in evening and primetime programs such as Amaya, co-starring Marian Rivera and an ensemble cast in 2011, 2012 as part of Hiram na Puso with Gina Alajar, Kris Bernal, and also Amaya co-star Gardo Versoza in the critically acclaimed series. She then later starred in the remake of the Korean turned Filipino adaptation of Temptation of Wife in 2012-2013 as Lady Armada with co-star Marian Rivera her second time in that same year. She had a short stint in the 2013 afternoon soap Maghihintay Pa Rin as Bianca King's protagonist mother in a short stint of the series she primarily exited out to star in the film Ang Huling Henya in the sci-fi comedy flick with award-winning comedian Rufa Mae Quinto. In 2014, she resumed her acting in primetime through the romantic-comedy family melodrama My Destiny. In 2015, she jumped to rival station, ABS-CBN, after doing Beautiful Strangers and appeared on various television dramas of the network in either villain or anti-hero roles. Later in 2022 She returned to her home network GMA Network after 7 years with ABS-CBN. And she is now part of the Philippine adaptation of Start-Up PH.[3]
Filmography
Drama
| Television | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Network | ||
| 2009 | Rosalinda | Berta Alvarez / Delia | GMA Network | ||
| 2011–12 | Amaya | Hara Lingayan | |||
| 2012 | Hiram na Puso | Roxanne Saavedra | |||
| 2012–13 | Temptation of Wife | Yolanda Armada | |||
| 2013 | Maghihintay Pa Rin | Catriona "Rio" De Villa | |||
| 2014 | My Destiny | Ruth Perez | |||
| 2015 | Second Chances | Norma Padilla | |||
| Beautiful Strangers | Lourdes De Jesus | ||||
| 2016 | Born for You | Margaret "Marge" Marquez-Sebastian | ABS-CBN | ||
| 2017 | Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin | Victoria Quintana-Dela Vega | |||
| 2019 | Sino ang May Sala?: Mea Culpa | Matilda Montelibano | |||
| 2022 | Start-Up PH | Alice Cortez-Sison / Alice Cortez-Diaz | GMA Network | ||
| 2024 | Can't Buy Me Love | Charry Tanhueco | Kapamilya Channel | ||
| Prinsesa ng City Jail | Leilani | GMA Network | |||
Films
| Films | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Films | Notes |
| 2010 | Here Comes the Bride | Mom of Inaki | Star Cinema, OctoArts Films and Quantum Films | Support Role |
| 2013 | Ang Huling Henya | Miriam | Viva Films and Multivision Pictures | Support Role |