Funny man Arnell Ignacio is a Filipino actor, comedian, game show host, news anchor, entrepreneur and a singer-songwriter. He hosted several TV shows such as Kwarta o Kahon, Go Bingo, Chibugan Na, Katok Mga Misis, and K! The 1-Million Peso Videoke Challenge. He also hosted Wil Time Big Time on some occasions. Arnell was one of the judge of Kakaibang Idol, a special edition of Philippine Idol which was held for contestants with the most notable auditions made.
Arnell Ignacio was then married to his friend Frannie, whom he has a daughter Sofia. The couple eventually broke up because of some irreconcilable differences. A self-confessed gay, he doesn’t deny the fact that he is attracted to both men and women. He even defines sexuality as being true to oneself. Still loveless to date, Arnell just busied himself with his work and claims that he has no time to have a romantic relationship.
Aside from showbiz, he also ventured into other kinds of business. His passion for cars brought him to bridal car business. He also has his Creative Hair Systems located at the 2nd Level Lifestyle Center at Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan. His shop offers services like hair streams, toupee, hair extension, full wig, and volumizer.
He is also a host of DZIQ Radyo Inquirer 990 where he has a program aired from 10pm to 1am called ‘No More Lonely Nights’ with Arnell. Other radio programs which he hosted include ‘Si Susan Na, Si Arnell Pa! of DZBB with Susan Enriquez; PATOL: Republika ni Arnelli and Manila Sa Umaga, both of 92.3 News FM simulcast thru Aksyon TV.
In 2012, Arnell did the indie film, Bola. The said film had its premiere at the UP Adarna Theater. ‘Bola’ also stars the newcomer Kenneth Salva. In the story, Arnell played the role of Pandy, an aging gay designer who had fallen in love many times but doesn’t go to bed with any of them. But when he met Lester (Kenneth Salva), Pandy let himself fall in love with the guy and let all his defenses down. The two did a kissing scene and a love scene in the said film. It also stars Sofia Valdez as Kenneth Salva’s girlfriend.
Arnell Ignacio recently joined the cast of Viva Atlantis Theatricals inaugural production, The Full Monty. It is a musical show, an Americanized version of the 1997 British comedy-drama of the same title. In The Full Monty, Arnell will play the role of Harold Nichols, one of the six jobless men who set to stage a strip show where they plan to go ‘full monty’- or strip all the way! Also in the cast are Marco Sison, Jamie Wilson, Mark Bautista, OJ Mariano, and Nino Alejandro.
His hosting ability also earned Arnell some awards. Among them are PMPC Star Awards for Television (1997&2006) as Best Game Show Host for Go Bingo (GMA Network) and Now Na! of QTV 11. In 2008, he also won the PMPC Star Awards for Television as Best Talent Show Host for ‘Shall We Dance?: The Celebrity Dance Challenge (with Lucy Torres-Gomez and Dominic Ochoa) of ABC 5 now TV5.
