Ayen’s career as a multi-media artist began with formal voice training at the University of Sto. Tomas, Conservatory of Music.  Later on, she took up Theatre Arts at the University of the Philippines where she underwent intensive training under the tutelage of Tony Mabesa, Ogie Juliano and Alexander Cortez. She appeared as Sonya in Dulaang UP’s Bakasyonista in 1990.  Her biggest break came when she essayed the role of Sita in Ballet Philippines’ Rama Hari at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 1990. Other notable stage performances include Tanghalang Pilipino’s Florante at Laura as Flerida and as Meni in Banaag at Sikat.  She also played the title role of Bidasari in Bulwagang Gantimpala’s Bidasari.  Ayen also played Sandy in Grease, Diana Morales in A Chorus Line, Timoune in Once on This Island and Kat Vernon in Floy Quintos’ LIVES.  Ayen’s return to theatre after eight years was in 2008 where she played the role of Gia Almonte/Atang Dela Rama in Dulaang UP’s ATANG – Dulang May Musika for which she garnered the 2009 Aliw Award for Best Actress in a Musical.  She was last seen on stage at CCP’s Virgin Labfest’s Isa Pang Soap Opera.

 

Ayen had a sold-out concert Kitang Dalawa at the CCP with her husband in 2018 as part of the Triple Threat Series.

 

Ayen proved to be a formidable concert director in One For The Soul, Franco Presents Franco, Three of a Kind and ONE A Soul Inspiring Concert.  Her critically acclaimed concerts Expressions, Women On The Radio, Ayen Live at the Asara Hall and The Best of Us with Raymond Lauchengco, which won them the Aliw Award for Best Concert Collaboration in 2007, has established herself as a concert artist par excellence. 

 

Ayen was last seen in ABS-CBN’s Dreamscape production of Mea Culpa - Sino Ang May Sala following the success of Born For You and Ikaw Lang Ang Iibigin. She also appeared in GMA’s high rated teleseryes Amaya, Temptation of Wife, My Destiny, Rosalinda, Beauty Queen, Beautiful Strangers, Maghihintay Pa Rin, Hiram Na Puso and Second Chances. 

 

She has three films to her credit beginning with Sigwa, followed by Here Comes The Bride and Ang Huling Henya.

 

Ayen has two recording albums Ayen (2002) and Thankful (2004).  She won an AWIT Award for Best Music Video and Best Performance in a Music Video for the song Bawat Gabi from her self-titled album in 2003.