Janelle Manahan of showbiz industry is Janelle Ann Caren Quintana Manahan in real life. She was born in Albay to parents Juluis Manahan (a former radio announcer in their province) and Maria Rosario Elvira Quintana on July 26, 1989. Her first glimpse of showbiz started when she joined Star Circle National Teen Quest, a reality talent search of ABS-CBN. Janelle made it then to the top 6.
Even as a child, she was noticed by her parents to have a love for singing, dancing, and acting. But Janelle’s influence is her father who’s in media. After her supporting stint in Star Circle Quest Reload: OK Ako!, her former manager changed her screen name from Janelle Manahan to Janelle Quintana to avoid confusion about her non-relationship with Star Magic’s head, Mr. Johnny Manahan or Mr. M. She also appeared in other ABS-CBN’s shows and was re-introduced in the teen sitcom Let’s Go as Janelle Quintana. She was popular for her role in Let’s Go as the chubby chikadora named “Maffi”. Janelle was also voted the most popular cast member of the said show alongside fellow cast Mikel Campos.
It was during her busy shooting days of the sitcom Let’s Go when Janelle met her boyfriend Ram Revilla, brother of Senator Ramon ‘Bong ‘ Revilla, Jr. Rumor has it that it was Ramgen who requested Janelle to quit showbiz. She left Let’s Go and even declined to appear in the movie, “The Wedding” which starred Zanjoe Marudo and Anne Curtis.
She then enrolled herself at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde while away from showbiz. Her relationship with Ramgen lasted for five years and the two were set to get married by 2013. The couple met a horrifying incident that caused Ramgen’s life in October 28, 2011. The said incident happened at Bautista’s residence in Paranaque. According to Janelle, the crime was executed at around 11pm. She was first shot at her right shoulder and another shot followed on her left cheek. Ramgen, upon seeing her girlfriend was shot, immediately confronted the gun man who was then wearing a mask. Ramgen’s sister, Ramona ‘Mara’ Bautista was with them when the shooting incident took place. After the commotion with the gun man, Ramgen came back inside his room where Mara and Janelle were at. Mara, whose panicking that time promised Janelle to ask for help, went out the room but never came back. Janelle, though wounded and weak managed to call for help using her cellphone. They were rescued and bought to the nearest hospital but Ramgen didn’t survive. He was pronounced dead on arrival.
In 2012, an intimate video of Ramgen and Janelle leaked on the internet and spread. Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla, Ramgen’s brother condemned the released of the said video and asked the people to give respect to his deceased brother. To date, Janelle is recovering from the nightmare she had experienced and is now happy to have a second chance in life.
Among the TV programs Janelle took part in are: Star Circle National Teen Quest; Vietnam Rose; ASAP Fanatic; SCQ Reload: Ok Ako!; Star Magic Presents: The Game of Love; Mga Anghel Na Walang Langit; Maalaala Mo Kaya: Tanan; Your Song Presents: Everything You Do; Komiks Presents: Starman; Komiks: The Adventures of Pedro Penduko; Maalaala Mo Kaya: The Lito Atienza Story; and My Girl.
Janelle was also nominated as Best New Female Artist in the 19th Aliw Awards and was included in the It Girls and Boys section of 2008 Star Magic Catalog.
