Jessica Mendiola Tawile-Manzano, known by her screen name Jessy Mendiola (Tagalog pronunciation:[mɛnˈdjɔla], born December 3, 1992),[2] is a Filipino actress.
She first appeared in TV commercials and ventured acting at age 13, portraying minor roles in several soap operas. In 2007, she was officially launched as part of ABS-CBN’sStar Magic Batch 15. In the succeeding years, she played supporting roles in a series of television shows including Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos? (2007), Dyosa (2008), and Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo (2010) among others. She eventually became a household name for leading several hit series like Sabel (2010), Budoy (2011), Paraiso (2012) and Maria Mercedes (2013). She also had a slew of movie stints, most notable being The Reunion (2012), Call Center Girl (2013), The Trial (2014) and The Girl In The Orange Dress (2018).
Her repertoire earned her several recognitions including the 'German Moreno Youth Achievement Award' at the 2012 FAMAS Awards. She was the first Filipino recipient of the 'Best Asia Pacific Star' at the 5th Asia Pacific Actors Network (APAN) Star Awards in South Korea.[3] She was also included for three consecutive years (2017-19) in TC Candler’s list of the “Most Beautiful Faces in the World”.[4]FHM Philippines hailed her as the "Sexiest Woman of 2016".[5]
Early life
Jessica Mendiola Tawile was born in Dubai, where her father used to work.[6] She is the second of three daughters of a Filipino mother and a Lebanese father.[7][dead link] She was three years old when her mother moved and brought her and her elder sister Pamela to the Philippines. Her mother left her father due to his infidelity. Jessy's younger sister Megan was born in Mexico, where her parents reconciled but eventually separated again for unknown reasons. She remains in contact with her father, who works overseas as a marine anthropologist.[8] She studied mass communication at Far Eastern University.[9]
In 2010, she had a guest appearance in George and Cecil, playing the love interest of Dino Imperial's Jun. Mendiola revealed that she was pulled out of Habang May Buhay and was cast as Christina in the TV series Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo instead.[10] Mendiola was supposed to appear in Habang May Buhay and was featured in the 2008 trailer of the show which was originally titled as Humingi Ako sa Langit. The TV series, which was supposed to air in 2008, was cancelled, reshot and recast.[11] Due to good feedback, her one-week guest appearance in Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo was extended. She was later cast in Your Song Presents:Gimik 2010,[12][13] playing the role of the reformed rebel teenager Jessy. Mendiola was supposed to appear in Kokey @ Ako, opposite Enrique Gil, but their characters were written off in favor of Melai Cantiveros and Jason Francisco.[14] She eventually returned as a recurring character in the last few episodes of Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo.
Mendiola performing at the 2014 London Barrio Fiesta
She portrayed lead roles in Maalaala Mo Kaya: "Marriage Contract"[15] and in Wansapanataym: "Kakambal Ko'y Manika". Her first biggest break was playing the title role in the afternoon TV show, Sabel.[16][17]
In 2013, Mendiola played the titular role in the Philippine remake of Maria Mercedes.[24] In October, she flew to South Korea for a ceremonial appointment by Korea Tourism Organization as the Honorary Ambassador for Korean Tourism.[25]
In 2016, Mendiola was recognized as the No. 1 Sexiest Woman in the Philippines by the men's magazine FHM Philippines.[27] She landed fourth place in the same list of sexiest women in the Philippines the following year.[28]
In 2024, after a five-year hiatus, she signed a contract with ABS-CBN and Star Magic.[29]
Personal life
On December 12, 2020, Mendiola became engaged to television host Luis Manzano.[30] The two had been dating since June 2016.[31] Mendiola and Manzano were married on February 21, 2021 in a civil wedding officiated by Lipa City Mayor Eric Africa at The Farm in San Benito (Barangay Tipakan Lipa, Batangas).[32] They are parents to a girl.[33]
Mendiola and Luis Manzano's church wedding was officiated by Jesuit priest Carmelo Caluag II in a Coron, Palawan church and beach on February 15, 2024. Present were Edu Manzano, Vilma Santos, and the bride's parents Roger Tawile and Judith Mendiola, with their daughter as the “little bride.”[34][35]
^ abMiralles, Nitz (June 3, 2007). "Star Magic Batch 15". About Showbiz. The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on September 9, 2007. Retrieved July 15, 2008.
_(cropped).jpg)
