After finishing her basic education at age 20, Manela embarked to pursue her desire to make a living in the entertainment world.
She toured around Latin America in a theatre company and worked for the Cuban radio station CMQ as a singer and story narrator.
In Spain, Manela put her artistic career on hang; it was her husband that became able to provide the main monetary income for the family as an architect.
In Puerto Rico, Manela Bustamante became “Doña Tony” in the popular TV show “Los Garcia”, produced by Tommy Muñiz.
She also did several commercials including a small role in the 1988 soap opera “Ave de Paso.” Her last TV appearance was in 2004 as a special guest in a one-hour tribute to “Los Garcia”.