Although Jenny Syquia belongs to a prominent family, it was her relationship with Gabby Concepcion that brought her national attention.
Jenny’s involvement with Gabby came at a time when the actor was emerging from a highly publicized separation, and just a year before he became embroiled in the notorious Metro Manila Film Festival scandal that rocked both showbiz and the nation.
It is fair to say that public perception of her is mixed, as memories of that period have grown hazy with the passing of years.
Her latest interview with broadcast journalist Karen Davila reintroduced her to the public—both to those who remember her and to those who were not yet around when her high-profile relationship with Gabby unfolded.
Read: Jenny Syquia reveals receiving messages from Gabby Concepion
But who is Jenny Syquia?
How did the Filipino-American model find herself in the arms of one of Philippine showbiz’s most charismatic yet controversial figures?
How did she pick up the pieces after that chapter of her life closed?
BORN IN AMERICA
Jenny Robinson Syquia was born on November 2, 1967, in Binghamton, New York, USA, to parents Victor, a Filipino, and Susan, an American.
The Syquia's were known to be well-off, and the family owned several properties in the city and outside Metro Manila.
Jenny is the niece of the late Ambassador Enrique Syquia, who served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta to the Philippine Government.
The ancestral home of the heirs of Gregorio Syquia in the Philippines—the Syquia Mansion—is now a museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Vigan.
MODELING CAREER
Jenny would land modeling gigs, a suitable role for someone like her who loves fashion and dressing up.
After college, she modeled and served as a brand ambassador for consumer products like Palmolive and Queenie Cosmetics.
Jenny would become a fashion assistant for Vogue magazine in New York City.
Her time with Vogue would help Jenny in 1994 when she founded and assumed the editor-in-chief role in Bride Philippines, the country's first magazine for brides.
Fashion still figured prominently in Jenny's business ventures years later.
She co-founded the handbag and accessories line Charm & Luck in 2004, and was nominated for Best Accessories company at the Dallas Fashion Awards in 2007.
WHIRLWIND ROMANCE WITH GABBY CONCEPCION
Jenny married actor and matinee idol Gabby Concepcion in 1993.
Theirs was a whirlwind romance that, even decades later, leaves Jenny looking back in bewilderment at how quickly events unfolded.
“We met through a family member. The family member’s father was an actor in a movie. And they said, ‘Do you want to go and see a movie being filmed?’ and I said, ‘Sure, that sounds fun,'" Jenny told broadcast journalist Karen Davila in her latest interview.
"So, I went, and I met him. That was like right when I got here [in the Philippines], within the first three days. That was really quickly.”
At the time, Gabby was fresh from the annulment of his marriage to actress Sharon Cuneta.
Married in 1984, Sharon and Gabby separated in 1987, and their union was formally annulled in 1993.
“It was very whirlwind. We met, hit it off, got together with my cousins a few times, and then he just proposed to me," Jenny continued.
“He asked me to marry him, and I hadn’t even kissed him at that point. It was like, very kind of otherworldly. Then we flew to Las Vegas, and then we got married.”
Unfortunately, the marriage between Gabby and Jenny didn't last, and the couple parted ways in 1996.
The two have a daughter, Cloie, who, in 2016, won the Miss Earth Sweden title.
In hindsight, Jenny acknowledged that their lack of familiarity doomed the marriage and that they should have taken more time to get to know each other before committing more seriously.
“There was so much he didn't know about me. There's so much I didn't know about him. When you get into the day-to-day, those differences come out," reflected Jenny.
"It wasn't the lack of attraction. We had an incredible attraction to each other. I just think that we were fundamentally too different."
JOINING SHOWBIZ
Jenny's involvement with Gabby paved the way for her to join Philippine showbiz.
She did several guest appearances and interviews, and also dabbled in hosting.
She did a few movies, namely, Eseng ng Tondo, Takot Ako sa Darling Ko, Hanggang Dito na Lang, and Bridesmaids, all released in 1997.
GIVING MARRIED LIFE ANOTHER SHOT
Jenny would find love again in Swedish businessman, Filip Skarne.
The two tied the knot in 1997 and were blessed with a daughter named Filippa Babes.
In addition, Filip legally adopted Jenny's first child, Cloie.
"Filip loves Cloie like his own daughter," Jenny told entertainment columnist Ricky Lo in October 2002.
"He treats her like his own daughter. The two of them love to go fishing."
Jenny also shared in the interview that she is on good terms with Sharon, Gabby’s first wife, and had appeared as a guest at her Araneta Coliseum concert before departing the Philippines.
Jenny and Filip eventually separated three years ago. They are now divorced.
“I truly believe that when God closes a door, he opens another," she said optimistically.
She has recently established business ventures in the country—a sign that she may be staying long-term.
And yes, she is open to giving showbiz another shot.