Martel graduated from Sacred Heart Academy of Novaliches in 1989 and proceeded to the University of Santo Tomas to pursue a bachelor's degree in communication.
She was a member of the Artistang Artlets, the theatre society of the UST Faculty of Arts and Letters.
Martel started working in media as road manager for the Filipino hip hop group Masta Plann and as production assistant at the Associated Broadcasting Company (ABC5).
She is known for teaching courses on television production and theatre arts, and directing shows and events within the said university.
She has been involved in several television programs and movies, and was credited as an actress in the 2007 film Tribu by Jim Libiran.