Former ‘Ang TV’ teen star tries hand at entrepreneurship

Jan Marini (Facebook photo)

MANILA – Those who remember “Ang TV,” the popular kiddie gag/variety show in the ’90s, will remember Jan Marini; one of the show’s several cast members. Marini, like some of her other “Ang TV” peers, continued with showbiz even as an adult. But she – as with others – also took a very different path: that of entrepreneurship.

Marini – who viewers may also remember for her roles in the teleserye “Mula Sa Puso” and the prime-time blockbuster, “Honesto” – has appeared in numerous TV series, as well as released three music albums.

When asked by ABS-CBN News’ MJ Felipe why she decided to stick it out in showbiz, her answer was surprising: “I did not decide to stay.”

“Kasi ilang beses ko nang inisip na magiba na ng karera. I finished my college degree. There are a lot of things that I really want to do, but each time that I decide to quit, there’s always a new [showbiz] project,” she explained.

In September 2013, however, she finally decided to shift her focus to business, and now heads Gut And Palate; an online store dedicated to being a “source of organic, natural, and life-giving food products.”

Marini said the inspiration for the business came when her family – including her two children – made the decision to shift to an organic diet. After she had experienced the many benefits of such a diet, she wanted to share these beyond her own family.

“Tapos, noong mayroon na talagang opportunity to encourage others to eat the same way, ginawa na namin,” she said.

She aims to establish a “modest” café, without sacrificing the quality of her products, which she says are “always best when done in the comfort of my own home.”

But Marini clarifies that she has not left the showbiz scene; at least, not for good.

“If God will bless me with this business at kailangan kong iwanan ang pagaartista –pero wala naman talaga kayang iwan ang pagiging artista, babalik at babalik ka,” she said.