Visitacion Parado, who is better known by her screen name Tetchie Agbayani, is a Filipina movie and television actress, psychology instructor and former beauty queen and Playboy model.
Early Life:
Agbayani was born in January 29 1961 to a Roman Catholic family. She studied high school at the University of Santo Tomas before enrolling in the University's Bachelor of Science in Architecture program in 1979. She eventually dropped from the program due to showbiz commitments.
Philippine Showbusiness:
Agbayani joined and won in the Mutya ng Pilipinas beauty pageant in 1979. Then she landed acting roles in television and movies, as well as modelling stints locally and abroad. In 1982, Agbayani shocked the public when she posed nude in the German edition of Playboy magazine. Amidst her notoriety that time, she went to the United States to do some "soul searching" and reassessment of life goals.
Hollywood:
In the United States, Agbayani was able to pursue acting in Hollywood. She appeared in international productions, sometimes credited as Carol Roberts. Among her films include John Boorman's The Emerald Forest (1985) and an entertaining cameo in The Money Pit (1986). Like other Asian actresses, Tetchie found herself limited by stereotyping, leading her to accept parts in critically reviled productions such as Gymkata (1985). Critics would regard her best performance to be that of a geologist in the Australian film Rikky and Pete (1988), directed by Nadia Tass, in which she displayed a flair for comedy. Agbayani also appeared in an episode of the British television series Yellowthread Street.
Private Life:
In 1989, Agbayani returned to the Philippines and took time out from her career to give birth to her daughter, China. During this period, Agbayani devoted her whole time as a mother, living a quiet, private life for several years.
Academic Career:
In 1995, Agbayani resumed her interrupted education and enrolled in Saint Joseph's College, Quezon City. She finished her college studies and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2000. In 2001, she applied and was accepted into the Master of Arts in Psychology with concentration in Counseling Psychology program of the Ateneo de Manila University. She completed all academic requirements and is now working on her masteral thesis. She is also teaching Psychology at Saint Joseph's College, Quezon City, while doing occasional TV and film appearances.
Education Advocacy:
In 2006, Agbayani became the focus of the local media when her newfound role as actress-turned Playboy model-turned psychology teacher was revealed to the public. Graduating from college at age 39, teaching at age 43, and taking master's at age 44, Agbayani was seen as a living inspiration to people who were not able to finish college for some reason. Agbayani continues to appear in television programs, magazines, and newspaper dailies, giving motivational talks on how she managed to pull her life together despite all the odds. She has expressed intention to be a full-time psychology teacher while being a part-time actress. She also plans to obtain a Ph.D. in Psychology, start clinical practice, and write a column where she can give free psychological counseling to letter-senders and the general public.
Early Life:
Agbayani was born in January 29 1961 to a Roman Catholic family. She studied high school at the University of Santo Tomas before enrolling in the University's Bachelor of Science in Architecture program in 1979. She eventually dropped from the program due to showbiz commitments.
Philippine Showbusiness:
Agbayani joined and won in the Mutya ng Pilipinas beauty pageant in 1979. Then she landed acting roles in television and movies, as well as modelling stints locally and abroad. In 1982, Agbayani shocked the public when she posed nude in the German edition of Playboy magazine. Amidst her notoriety that time, she went to the United States to do some "soul searching" and reassessment of life goals.
Hollywood:
In the United States, Agbayani was able to pursue acting in Hollywood. She appeared in international productions, sometimes credited as Carol Roberts. Among her films include John Boorman's The Emerald Forest (1985) and an entertaining cameo in The Money Pit (1986). Like other Asian actresses, Tetchie found herself limited by stereotyping, leading her to accept parts in critically reviled productions such as Gymkata (1985). Critics would regard her best performance to be that of a geologist in the Australian film Rikky and Pete (1988), directed by Nadia Tass, in which she displayed a flair for comedy. Agbayani also appeared in an episode of the British television series Yellowthread Street.
Private Life:
In 1989, Agbayani returned to the Philippines and took time out from her career to give birth to her daughter, China. During this period, Agbayani devoted her whole time as a mother, living a quiet, private life for several years.
Academic Career:
In 1995, Agbayani resumed her interrupted education and enrolled in Saint Joseph's College, Quezon City. She finished her college studies and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2000. In 2001, she applied and was accepted into the Master of Arts in Psychology with concentration in Counseling Psychology program of the Ateneo de Manila University. She completed all academic requirements and is now working on her masteral thesis. She is also teaching Psychology at Saint Joseph's College, Quezon City, while doing occasional TV and film appearances.
Education Advocacy:
In 2006, Agbayani became the focus of the local media when her newfound role as actress-turned Playboy model-turned psychology teacher was revealed to the public. Graduating from college at age 39, teaching at age 43, and taking master's at age 44, Agbayani was seen as a living inspiration to people who were not able to finish college for some reason. Agbayani continues to appear in television programs, magazines, and newspaper dailies, giving motivational talks on how she managed to pull her life together despite all the odds. She has expressed intention to be a full-time psychology teacher while being a part-time actress. She also plans to obtain a Ph.D. in Psychology, start clinical practice, and write a column where she can give free psychological counseling to letter-senders and the general public.
