Andrés José Garchitorena Yllana Jr., better known as Anjo Yllana, is an actor-comedian, television host and politician.
Early life
He was born Andrés José Garchitorena Yllana, Jr. on April 24, 1968 in Quezon City to Andrés Yllana and Vicky Garchitorena as the eldest of four brothers. His younger brothers are Jomari Yllana, Ryan Yllana and Paulie Yllana.
Personal life
He was married to actress Jacqui Manzano with four children: Mikaela, Andee, Jaime and Nathan. He is a member of Scouts Royale Brotherhood International Service Fraternity and Sorority under the banner of the Alpha Delta Chapter.
He started in show business in 1984 with talent manager the late Douglas Quijano. He then auditioned for the teen TV variety show That's Entertainment after attempting a career as a professional basketball player. He started with support roles in both comedy and drama. He was nominated by different award-giving bodies as Best Supporting Actor in the movie Itanong Mo sa Buwan, starring opposite Jaclyn Jose and directed by Chito Rono. His turning point in show business came in 1991, when he was given the role of Dino Tengco, the mentally disabled son of the crazy politician couple Barbara and Anding Tengco in the ABS-CBN satirical sitcom Abangan Ang Susunod Na Kabanata. He was awarded Best Comedy Actor by Star Awards in 1992 for his efforts. He was subsequently launched as a solo comedian and had several successful comedy films to his name, among them Dino, Abangan ang Susunod Na..., Pempe ni Sara at Pen and Milyonaryong Mini. He also became part of the sitcoms Ober da Bakod and Palibhasa Lalake. His stint in the latter sitcom cost him his role in Ober da Bakod after he decided to become an exclusive ABS-CBN talent. After Abangan Ang Susunod Na Kabanata ended its run, Anjo turned to TV directing via the GMA Network sitcom M.U.? which starred his brother Jomari Yllana as well as Gelli de Belen. Soon after, in 1999, he moved to GMA Network after ending his contract with ABS-CBN and started hosting the long-running noontime show Eat Bulaga! His former comic tandem with Janno Gibbs in Ober da Bakod was revived via Beh Bote Nga and Nuts Entertainment. They also appeared together in Eat Bulaga! until Janno resigned from the show to start acting in GMA soap operas. His last solo TV show was Cool Center where he formed a hilarious tandem with Eugene Domingo from 2008-2009.
Political life
Anjo started ventured into politics in 1998 when he ran and won as city councilor of the lone district of Paranaque. He was reelected in 2001 and served for a total of two terms before seeking higher office. In 2004, he ran and won the Vice Mayoralty race in the same city. In 2007 he lost in his bid for reelection. In 2010, he ran once again for vice mayor under the banner of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, but lost. In 2013, he ran for city councilor, this time in the newly created 5th district of Quezon City, which includes his home barangay, Fairview and he successfully reelected in 2016.
