LJ Reyes

LJ Reyes
Born
Lourna Jane Pujeda Reyes

(1987-12-25) December 25, 1987 (age 36)
Occupation(s)Actress, Dancer, Model
Years active2004–2018
AgentSparkle GMA Artist Center (from 2004 to 2018)
Known forMarge in D' Originals
Senyora Angeli in Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa
Flora in Yagit
Kate in Prinsesa ng Buhay Ko
Lourdes in Aso ni San Roque
Zaira in Time of My Life
Frances in The Good Daughter
Spouse
Philip Evangelista
(m. 2023)
Children2

Lourna Jane Pujeda Reyes-Evangelista (born December 25, 1987), known professionally as LJ Reyes, is a Filipino actress. She is best known as one of the Final Four in the second season of the widely acclaimed GMA reality TV show, StarStruck. She won Best Actress at the 39th Gawad Urian Awards.[1] She is currently an exclusive artist of GMA Network until she left by expiring her contract in 2018.

Life and career

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LJ Reyes was born in Fairview, Quezon City. She spent her high school days at St. Stephen's High School.

In 2004, Reyes auditioned for the second season of StarStruck where she ended up as First Princess. Her first show was Now and Forever: Mukha, where she worked with StarStruck runners-up and winners Ryza Cenon, CJ Muere and Mike Tan. Aside from acting, she is also a good dancer, performing with Cenon, Mark Herras, Marky Cielo among others. She is involved mostly in supporting roles on GMA Network shows.

Reyes had her biggest break as a lead villainess in Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan then, playing one of the leading ladies to JC de Vera in Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita. Reyes had another break by joining the cast of Una Kang Naging Akin, another Filipino soap opera. Reyes was given many praises by critics for her outstanding role in Una Kang Naging Akin which made her rise to fame. She posed for the local FHM magazine in December 2009 where she was also the cover girl.[2]

In 2010, she formed a trio called SH3, with Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza, and they performed on the Sunday variety show SOP Rules until the group disbanded because of plagiarism issues. In the same year, she won as Best Supporting Actress in Cinemalaya for her role in the indie movie The Leaving.

Reyes was baptized as a Born again Christian in August 2015.[3]

Personal life

[edit]

She dated fellow GMA artist Paulo Avelino, who was a contestant in the fourth season of StarStruck. On July 24, 2010, she gave birth to their son. She dated Paolo Contis from 2016 to 2021. On January 4, 2019, she gave birth to their daughter, Summer Ayana, from his relationship with Reyes.[4]On September 1, 2021, she confirmed that she and Contis were no longer together. On May 30, 2023, Reyes announced her engagement to her boyfriend, Philip Evangelista.[5] The couple married on October 8, 2023 in Eatons Neck, New York.[6]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Studio
2005 Lovestruck Sophia GMA Films
2006 Puso 3 Erika
Manay Po! Gina Regal Entertainment
2007 Pi7ong Tagpo Tanya C Features
2010 The Leaving Grace Cinemalaya
2012 Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino Doray
Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles Hilda Reality Entertainment, Agosto Dos Pictures, GMA Films
2013 She's the One Alice Star Cinema
2015 Anino Sa Likod ng Buwan Emma Octobertrain Films, The IdeaFirst Company
Haunted Mansion Veronica Lobregat Regal Entertainment

Television

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Year Title Role Network
2005 Now and Forever: Mukha Melody
2006 I Luv NY Ponyang
2006–2007 Makita Ka Lang Muli Vianne
2007 Magic Kamison Misty
Lupin Elaine
Fantastic Man Binhi (Season 2)
2007–2008 Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan Amazonang Lila / Debbie
2008 Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita Joanna Marie "Joey" Salcedo
Sine Novela: Una Kang Naging Akin Liway Mallari
2009 Totoy Bato Gilette Molina
Zorro Sandy
All My Life Maricar
2010 Sine Novela: Ina, Kasusuklaman Ba Kita? Katrina Evangelista
2011 Time of My Life Zaira Marquez
2012 The Good Daughter Francesca "Frances" Alejandro Reyes
2012–2013 Aso ni San Roque Lourdes / Lualhati Salvador
2013 Wagas (Coach Rio Dela Cruz and Nicole Wuthrich Story) Nicole Wuthrich
Bayan Ko Atty. Karen Canlas
2013–2014 Prinsesa ng Buhay Ko Kate Napoleon
2014–2015 Yagit Florentina "Flora" Fabro Trinidad-Macabuhay
2015 Magpakailanman: Under1Roof Heidi
Karelasyon#PanchoLJRyza Melissa
2015–2016 MariMar Inocencia Corcuera-Arcega
2016 Wagas (Courageous Caitie Story) Feliz Lucas
Alamat: Alamat ng Saging Juana (Voice Only)
Karelasyon Claire
Poor Señorita Angie Batumbakal
Dear Uge: Single Teacher meets Single Dad Luisa
Dear Uge: My Millenial Mom Rita
2017 Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa Angeli "Geli" Martinez-Esquivel
Wish Ko Lang: Miss Pulis SPO3 Rowena Jacosalem
D' Originals Marjorie "Marge" Pineda-Tolentino
3 Days of Summer Herself
Tadhana: Yaya Abogada Chona
Road Trip Herself
2018 Sherlock Jr. Meryl
The Cure Katrina Contes

Awards and nominations

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Year Organization/Critics Category Work Result
2016 39th Gawad Urian Awards Best Actress Ang Anino sa Likod ng Buwan Won
2016 32nd PMPC Star Awards for Movies Movie Actress of the Year Ang Anino sa Likod ng Buwan Nominated
2013 ENPRESS Golden Screen Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Drama) Intoy Shokoy ng Kalye Marino Nominated
2010 Cinemalaya 2010 Best Supporting Actress The Leaving
2008 FHM Philippines Rank #89
2007 FHM Philippines Rank #45
2006 FHM Philippines Rank #65
2005 StarStruck 2 First Princess
2005 StarStruck 2 4 Pre-Recognition Award

References

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  1. ^ Ligunas, Mary Louise (June 23, 2016). "LJ Reyes wins Best Actress in 39th Gawad Urian Awards". GMANetwork.com. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  2. ^ "LJ Reyes, nagpasexy na!". GMANetwork.com. December 9, 2009.
  3. ^ "TRIVIA: Celebs who converted to another religion". GMANetwork.com. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  4. ^ Tuazon, Nikko (June 5, 2022). "Get to Know Lian Paz daughters". pep.ph. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  5. ^ Chua, EJ (May 30, 2023). "LJ Reyes is now engaged to her non-showbiz partner". GMANetwork.com. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  6. ^ Aquino, Maine (October 8, 2023). "First look at LJ Reyes and Philip Evangelista's New York wedding". GMA Network.
[edit]
Awards and achievements
Preceded by StarStruck
Runner-up

2004 (season 2)
Succeeded by