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

(1971-11-21) November 21, 1971 (age 53)
Manila, Philippines
OccupationActress • singer
Years active1989–present
Spouses
(m. 1995; div. 2002)
  • Franco Laurel
Children4

Munji was previously married to Jefri Bolkiah, Prince of Brunei, with whom she had a son.[2]

Career

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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

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Television

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Television
Year Title Role Network
2009 Rosalinda Berta Alvarez / Delia GMA Network
2011–2012 Amaya Hara Lingayan
2012 Hiram na Puso Roxanne Saavedra
2012–2013 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
2025 Prinsesa ng City Jail Leilani GMA Network

Films

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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

References

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  1. ^ PEP Ayen Munji-Laurel
  2. ^ Lejarde, Mercy (November 2, 2012). "Ayen on her royal past". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  3. ^ Llemit, Kathleen A. "'Like coming back home': Ayen Munji-Laurel joins CCP star-studded Sarsuwela show, to star in French series adaptation". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
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