Anthony Jennings never imagined he’d be the funny guy. Growing up, he was the shy kid in the corner, more drawn to action heroes than punchlines. Yet years later, his sharp wit and charming “kanal humor” would win over audiences and land him one of his most iconic characters on screen—Snoop Manansala from "Can’t Buy Me Love," which he believes opened bigger doors for him including his stint as Tomas Guerrero in "Incognito."
In a guesting on the digital lifestyle talk show “Are U G,” Anthony looked back on that unexpected journey, from his roots to his realizations, and the exciting road ahead.
As a kid, Anthony loved watching action films, growing up on the works of Fernando Poe Jr. and Jackie Chan. Those larger-than-life heroes inspired his earliest dream to one day become an actor, specifically take on the action genre.
But life had a plot twist in store. Instead of throwing punches, he started throwing punchlines, and it clicked with audiences in a way he never expected. “Hindi naman ako nakakatawa no’ng bata ako, eh,” he admitted. “Shy type nga ako no’ng bata ako.” It was only through life experiences that he discovered his knack for raw and relatable style of comedy that connects with the masses. “Thankful ako na na-appreciate nila… Unti-unti nag-grow ‘yung confidence ko na, parang, ‘Kaya ko rin pala magpatawa.’”
His crash course in comedy came early, thanks to his exposure to seasoned comedians. Back in his first-ever teleserye "Make It With You," Anthony was already sharing scenes with the likes of Herbert Bautista, and he maximized the opportunity to study how veterans landed their punchlines. That training ground paid off. So when the role of Snoop came along in "Can’t Buy Me Love," it fit him like a glove.
Anthony sees Snoop as his breakthrough role that unlocked a whole new side of him. “Nag-grow ako bilang actor dahil doon… Feeling ko doon nabuo ‘yung confidence ko as an artist,” he recalled, crediting the show’s creatives for pushing him to tap into his full comedic potential while also giving him space to explore. “Nade-deliver ko siya pero tulong-tulong namin siyang ginawa.”
That creative freedom gave him the confidence to ad-lib and improvise on set, although he admits there were scenes when he'd go a little overboard. "Kung saan na napupunta," he laughed. Still, those experiences taught him that comedy is about timing and heart combined. If drama demands emotional depth, comedy, he believes, can be just as difficult, if not more. Every project requires a different flavor of humor, and for Anthony, that challenge has only sharpened his artistic range.
As much as he’s enjoyed every role, he admits Snoop holds a special place in his heart. “I think siya ’yung character na sobrang grounded. Lahat makaka-relate sa buhay nila ni Bingo (Donny Pangilinan),” he said.
And he hasn’t shaken off the Snoop’s quirks just yet. He got to show them off during a virtual golf session with host MJ Felipe. When dared to demonstrate how the street-smart ‘batang Binondo’ character would play golf, he slipped back into Snoop's brand of comedy and kicked the ball straight into the hole instead of swinging. And then channeling Tomas from "Incognito," he walked up with pure bravado, “parang gusto manakit palagi,” even though the swing didn’t quite match the attitude.
Helping keep things on track was Coach Jon, who taught him the basics of handling and grip—bend the knees, keep the form, and swing through with the arms. Anthony revealed that it was actually Donny who first gave him golf tips, which made this game even more special. "Para kay Donny," he quipped before teeing off.
Anthony picked up the sport faster than expected, but in real life, he’s learning to slow down. Now that “Incognito” is over, he’s taking a breather, hitting the gym again, and most importantly, soaking up family time he longed for during months of out-of-town and out-of-the-country shoots.
He also plans to head back to school next year. “Kailangan kong ayusin. May mga kailangan balikan at kailangan tapusin,” he promised, adding this will be a way to heal his inner child by finally experiencing the joy of student life he never fully had. Law school, he said, is also on his radar.
Alongside his academic dreams, he carries with him life lessons that keep him grounded, such as that life is far more complicated than it looked when he was young. It requires adjustment, wisdom, and knowing which people to let into his circle. More than anything, he's learned to be honest with himself.
For Anthony, the lessons he applies in his personal life isn’t too far from what guides his career, the kind that teaches him what to joke about and when to stay quiet. "Happy ako na nandito pa rin ako sa showbiz. Nandito pa rin 'yung mga supporters ko na nagmamahal sa akin.” He just wants to keep giving his best and push himself further. “Pinipili ko pa rin maging better every day."
Anthony may still describe himself as a work in progress, but to his fans, he’s already someone worth rooting for. Like his golf game, he’s still finding his form, but every swing is proof he’s getting better and better.