Jolina Magdangal: The Original Anik-Anik Queen
Have you ever caught yourself humming “Chuva choo choo, Chuva choo choo…”?
Or maybe you still remember the iconic line, “Oh yes, kaibigan mo ako! Kaibigan mo lang ako…”?
Behind these unforgettable lines is the star, Jolina Magdangal, who carried the crown of the ’90s Pop Culture Princess while reigning as the original Anik-Anik Queen.
Anik-anik, derived from the Filipino phrase “ano-ano,” means “a little of this and that.” The re-emergence of this Y2K style is being embraced by today’s Gen Z and millennials. If you’re wondering why Jolina is hailed as the queen of this trendy fashion, just look back at her signature style—multiple colorful ties and clips, cute accessories, and girly outfits.
So, if you catch yourself decorating your bag or outfit with charms, keychains, or mini plushies, there’s no doubt you’ve been influenced by the Anik-Anik Queen, Jolina!
Jolina’s 90s Anik-Anik Era
Jolina is a total trend setter.
In the late ‘90s, she was a frequent magazine cover girl, and her face appeared on the cover of countless notebooks. But it wasn’t just her pretty face that stood out—the most eye-catching was her playful and colorful fashion style. She decorated her hair with butterfly and flower clips, paired layered and colorful outfits, and finished her look with quirky accessories and beads. Even her Jolina doll, the first and only celebrity doll in the Philippines produced by Mattel, clearly replicated her signature fashion style.
Another memorable moment from Jolina’s Anik-Anik era is a humorous scene from her movie with Maricel Soriano, “Kung ayaw mo, huwag mo!” which perfectly captures her style. When Maricel teases Jolina, saying, “Sa pamilya natin, tama na ‘yung ikaw lang ang Christmas tree,” it highlights how her body was overflowing with accessories—just like a Christmas tree loaded with countless decorations.
Moreover, she wasn’t the original Anik-Anik queen for nothing. Even simple fabrics, scarves, and feathers became part of her creative mix. She always found ways to incorporate them into outfits that made her style uniquely hers. Even at the young age of 11, she already showcased her unique sense of style during her debut with the music group 14-K, under the guidance of Maestro Ryan Cayabyab.
Her childhood idol, Madonna, and her mom’s love for arts and crafts were among the reasons that shaped her bold fashion sense. For Jolina, as long as it didn’t hurt or offend anyone, she would continue to express herself through fashion.
How Jolina’s Style Inspires Today’s Trends
More than an icon, Jolina has become an influential figure whose style continues to shape how today’s youth express themselves through fashion.
Her playful and colorful fashion sense set the benchmark for what we now recognize as Anik-Anik, influencing how people mix and match colors and accessories to showcase their individuality. Her impact strongly appears in today’s P-Pop artists, who blend her nostalgic ’90s elements with contemporary styles.
Take BINI, for example. In every live performance, they often completely cover their denim outfit with colorful charms, plushies, beads, and appliqués. Are you familiar with Maki? He performs on stage with mini stuffed toys hanging from his pants. Joining this trend, the KAIA girl group who flaunts their signature style with layered and colorful outfits. These ensembles give off a youthful vibe that recalls the iconic style Jolina popularized in the 1990s.
While Jolina’s era featured playful charms and colorful accessories worn only on the body, today’s Anik-Anik extends beyond personal belongings.
Just like how Jolina mixed her signature look, she has also influenced how Gen Z and Millennials embrace DIY fashion and personalized accessories nowadays. She inspired them to combine colors and playful patterns to express their personal taste. Today, people decorate their phone straps with braids, names, or colorful and flowery beads. They also hang keychains, plushies, or small toys on tote bags. Others even customize their sneakers and tumblers with playful charms.
Where to Score Anik-Anik Collectibles
Anik-Anik has captured everyone’s hearts, not just for its fun and playful designs, but also for being wallet-friendly. With affordable prices, collecting and personalizing these quirky trinkets is easier than ever.
You can find these budget-friendly Anik-Anik pieces in popular spots like Ylaya Street in Divisoria. There are also bead shops across from Quiapo Church where you can buy in bulk or get a single pack for under ₱150. Many independent artisans, meanwhile, are carving out their own niches by selling handmade beaded straps, crocheted mini plushies—either online or at pop-up booths.
Jolina Magdangal is a prime example of how Filipino pop culture and style can influence one generation after another. No wonder she remains the original Anik-Anik Queen; her once-signature look has not only been revived but continues to resonate with today’s youth, proving that her style remains as relevant now as it was decades ago.
Even then, she showed how the smallest details could make the loudest statements—encouraging people to express their individuality through fashion, just as she had fearlessly done in the 1990s.
