Lovely Abella

Lovely Abella-Manalo is a Filipino dancer, host, comedian, model, entrepreneur, and an actress. She is currently under the management of Sparkle GMA Artist Center and GMA Network.

Personal life An ethnic Ilongga, Abella was born in Manila and raised in Koronadal, an Ilonggo-majority city in Mindanao. Her mother is from Bacolod while her father is from South Cotabato. She is married to actor Benj Manalo, with whom she has a son. Comedian Jose Manalo is her father-in-law. She also has a daughter from a previous relationship.

In August 2020, Abella contracted COVID-19. She was asymptomatic throughout her quarantine and eventually made a recovery.

Career During her teenage years, Abella said that she used to be one of the pranksters in Bitoy's Funniest Videos portraying as a massage therapist in Boracay to prank customers. According to her, this was her first-ever acting/comedy stint way back in 2004. This minor appearance opened doors for her as she was given a slot to be one of the Wowowee Dancers.

Abella was also previously known as one of the main dancers of Willie Revillame in Wil Time Bigtime when the latter moved to TV5, but was later promoted to a co-host due to her natural hosting skills and bubbly personality; giving her the opportunity to be one of the mainstays in Willie's game shows until Wowowillie. Her rising career in the network gave her many opportunities, such as guesting in various shows and even dedicating an episode for her in Star Confessions in which she shared her own life story.

Before she got her major break in GMA Network, Abella made a number of roles as an extra in various shows for both TV5 and GMA Network; most notably in Madam Chairman, Carmela, 2½ Daddies, and Buena Familia where she was left uncredited and unknown for that time being. She briefly had her comedic acting stint in A1 Ko Sa 'Yo before she got her major supporting role in Calle Siete as Bonifacia "Bonnie" Suarez.

Her biggest break in GMA Network was when she auditioned to be one of the cast members of the weekend noon-time variety show, Sunday PinaSaya where she shortly appeared as a guest before becoming a mainstay cast. Due to her potentials in comedy, she was included as a new Bubble Gang member. Even though she's been exposed to comedy shows as of now, she's still undergoing drama and acting workshops to improve her craft.

Abella was cast in the prime-time series, D' Originals, where she played her first-ever major antagonist role as Cristina "Tina" Pineda, a rival and the half-sister of Marge. She has since been frequently cast in various drama series and anthologies offered by GMA Network and GMA News TV.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2009 Nobody, Nobody But...Juan Wowowee dancer Cameo appearance 2016 Imagine You and Me Kaye Malinao First movie appearance 2017 Trip Ubusan: The Lolas vs. Zombies Abigail "Abe" Salazar Second movie appearance 2019 Hello, Love, Goodbye Gina Mariquit Supporting role 2024 Hello, Love, Again Special participation 2025 My Love Will Make You Disappear Abigail "Abby" Bartolome Supporting role

Television Year Title Role(s) 2010 Wil Time Bigtime Herself / Performer 2012 Wowowillie 2016 Wowowin Herself / Guest / Co-host Calle Siete Bonifacia "Bonnie" Suarez Sunday PinaSaya Herself / co-host 2017–2022 Bubble Gang Herself / Various roles 2017 Magpakailanman: Ang Batang Binihag ng Kulto Daisy Wagas: My Big Sexy Love Francine Prieto D' Originals Cristina "Tina" Pineda Dear Uge: Kabit si Yaya Monica Karelasyon: Magnanakaw ng Puso Ana Wagas: Gayuma ni Kumare Den Hay, Bahay! Ella Follow your Heart Herself / Player Sarap Diva Herself Tunay na Buhay Sarap Diva All Star Videoke Herself / Contestant Wagas: Babaeng Syokoy Teresita Celebrity Bluff Herself / Contestant Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: Sleeping Rosa Dorcas Rosas Tadhana: Love Rehab Irma The Lolas' Beautiful Show Herself / Guest Dear Uge: Segunda Mommy Apple Wagas: Haunted Manyika Helen Road Trip: Samar Herself / Guest Traveler 2018 Day Off Herself / Guest Magpakailanman: Mula Asawa Hanggang Awa (A Married Woman's Story) Aliza All Star Videoke Herself / Contestant All Access Herself Dear Uge: Kuwentong Barya Liwayway Celebrity Bluff Herself / Contestant Wagas: Love Moves Rio The Stepdaughters Mylene Depositorio Dear Uge: I Hate You, I Love You Princess Maynila: Bubble Gum Romance Emily Bartolome Ika-5 Utos Gwen Wagas: Dear Preacher Husband Abby 2019 Dear Uge: Louise-Vi-Ton Louise Magpakailanman: Fathers and Lovers Rosella Dragon Lady Ginger Garcia Dear Uge: Chubby-yutiful Lydia Wagas Presents: Throwback Pag-ibig Kristine Liam One of the Baes Mad Woman / Guest Magkaagaw Suzanna "Suzi" Gomez 2023–2024 Linlang Emma 2024–2025 Lilet Matias: Attorney-at-Law Vivian