When we talk about showbiz, Manilyn is one who has the longest-running and most successful career of her generation.
She’s been working at the age of 10 and this year marks her 25th year in the local entertainment industry.
Born in a family of singers, Manilyn always got herself in small time singing contests in Cebu at the age of three. “I will just tell my parents that there is a contest somewhere and then they tell me ‘hindi ka naman pwede dyan,’ but then I will still insist and sing at the top of my voice,” she said.
Her persistent and fiery passion in singing became Manilyn’s vehicle to stardom as she was discovered by Regal Films magnate Mother Lily Monteverde.
She began singing for the movies produced by Regal mostly Christmas and Father’s Day flicks. “I started singing for Mother Lily’s films. I did ‘Santa Clause is Coming to Town.’ I did some of her Father’s Day films like ‘Don’t Cry to Me Papa’ and ‘Pepe and Pillar’,” she shared.
She also had several albums in the past like “Apple Thoughts,” her first solo album recorded when she was 12 under Ivory Records.
Seeing potential in her, she was then asked by Mother Lily if she wanted to be in the movies which she never hesitated. “So I did my first movie it’s called ‘To Mama with Love’ with veteran actress Gloria Romero and Regal Films’ babies Maricel Soriano, Snooky Serna, and William Martinez.”
At the age of 11, Manilyn got her first Famas award for the movie “Minsan may Isang Ina” surrounded by star-studded cast Maricel, late actress Charito Solis, Bembol Roco, and Superstar Nora Aunor.
Manilyn had starred in about 62 films.
She also became a part of “That’s Entertainment” where she explored her skills in singing, acting, hosting, and news casting. “I did a lot of soap operas and then had shows here and abroad.”
Entering showbiz has never been an elusive matter for Manilyn although she came from the province. “Everybody was so nice to me, I was their baby. And these people when they see me until now, they really treat me as their sister. That’s one of the biggest things I have had in the business,” said the actress.
She said never in her entire career she felt discriminated primarily because of her mature way of thinking and strong personality.
“I know how to weigh things even when I was young. I will not do the things that will not do me any good. They cannot just boss me around or push me around. I guess I never felt of being discriminated also simply because I started young, the tendency is to love you,” she explained.
Showbiz is Manilyn’s life. It is where she fell in love and cried for love at the same time.
Some of the men linked to her were Janno Gibbs, Kempee de Leon, and Ogie Alcasid. Until she met Aljon Jimenez, her husband, whom she said she hopes to spend the rest of her life with.
“No matter what happen I will never find a person who is as sweet and as loving as him. I really don’t know what to do without him because I just really dearly love him so much. I am just really lucky to have person like Aljon who is always there for me,” Manilyn said.
Aljon is busy managing their small production studio where he edits and directs events and shows. He is also supervising their franchise of “Pan de Pugon” along Edsa.
Manilyn and Aljon have two children, namely: Kyle and Kurt. They both juggle their time in taking care of their children.
“Kyle is 11 and he is cool and he is already big. He sings well, he draws well and he paints well. He makes his own comics and he wants to be game maker when he grows up. Kurt sings well. He dances well. He’s very smart. He plays taekwondo. They are both smart kids they are very considerate they feel for people and I am happy and contented on how we raised them so far,” Manilyn said.
Aside from her family, what Manilyn treasured most are her friends. She described herself as a jolly friend to others. “I guess it’s something that I should be proud of in a way. It feels good to see people laugh because of what you have done or what you have said.”
She said among her close friends in showbiz are her two co-hosts in talk show “Moms” – Lani Mercado and fellow Cebuana Sherilyn Reyes.
Manilyn admitted that she could be one’s loyal and good friend but don’t ever try to betray her. “I’m your friend until the end, but just don’t make me mad because of betrayal. Betrayal could ruin everything like my trust, everything really.”
As a pride of Cebu, Manilyn said she is willing to help her fellow Cebuanos who want to have a career in showbiz. She believed that every Cebuano is talented and has exceptional abilities to be a star.
“Cebuanos are really good in singing. We are very humble. Very rare you could see an arrogant Cebuano. When we do something that we really want to do we excelled. We are loving people and we are brave,” she said.
Manilyn said part of her success is her fellow Cebuanos and she will always be thankful for that. If Manilyn has time, she would visit Cebu once in awhile to see her families and friends and do shows for her kababayans.
