The Next Big Thing, PEP calls them.
They are former child stars who have come under the spotlight in the past few years. They had TV shows, they had movies. They became familiar names and familiar faces. They amassed fans. Along the way, a number of them paused, took a step back from the limelight, and did other things. Now they are on a comeback.
Question is: Will their transition to young-adult roles catch the attention of fans once again?
And another: In local showbiz, where every year new stars are made, will they make their mark?
Read: PEP'S Best Bets for Stardom 2024
PEP.ph, the Philippine Entertainment Portal, lists 10 former child stars whose names have become bigger and brighter in the past years, and who we think will gain more ground in 2024!
Read: PEP's Male A-Lister Joshua Garcia: Now ready for more!
HERE ARE PEP's BEST BETS 2024: THE NEXT BIG THING!
JILLIAN WARD, 19
Jillian Ward, a former child star who rose from the ranks, is now becoming one of the Kapuso Network's most promising stars.
She was introduced as a child actress in the Trudis Liit drama series in 2011.
Now, she plays the genius doctor in GMA's long-running afternoon series, Abot Kamay Na Pangarap.
Her role is that of a self-made woman who remains down-to-earth and caring of her patients, but who can also be a force to reckon with when confrontating her detractors.
This goes along the lines of her kind-hearted but feisty character in the Kapuso prime-time series Prima Donnas, which ran from August 2019 - March 2020 and November 2020 - February 2021 for its first season, and January 2022 - April 2022 for its second season.
Both teleseryes are top-rating family dramas with powerful ensemble casts.
What makes Jillian stand out is that she is has a face that can make the shift from angel to femme fatale, from distressed damsel to tough nemesis, from sweetheart to tough-as-nails.
Moreover, it helps that she is determined to do what it takes to improve her craft. Already, she delivers in every project, making her top-of-mind choice as lead actress.
Management: Sparkle GMA Artist Center
Other shows: Daldalita at Jillian: Namamasko Po, Captain Barbell, Andres de Saya, Biritera, Luna Blanca, Cielo de Angelina, Indio, Home Sweet Home, One Day Isang Araw, Genesis, Magkano Ba Ang Pag-ibig?, My BFF, Bagito, Pare ‘Koy, Poor Señorita, Sa Piling Ni Nanay, My Special Tatay, Haplos, Super Ma’am, Prima Donnas.
Current show: Abot Kamay Na Pangarap
Read: Jillian Ward graduates senior high school with highest honors
ANDREA BRILLANTES, 21
Andrea Brillantes, Blythe Gorostiza in real life, grew up in the public eye as a TV personality.
From playing bit roles as a child actress, Andrea made her early climb to stardom at age 10, clinching the title role in ABS-CBN’s 2013 remake of Annaliza, a 1980's soap opera headlined by the late Julie Vega.
In 2018, the television audience saw her mature as an actress in the top-rating afternoon series Kadenang Ginto, where she played Marga.
This was where Andrea showed her prowess as a bida-kontrabida.
She drew the ire of fans with the countless times she initiated catfights with Francine Diaz. Andrea escalated the fights to a point where she pushed Francine down the stairs of a big house where they both reside.
The way Andrea's character would be quick and smooth about making it appear that she is the victim never fails to stun the audience.
On the other hand, her successful onscreen partnership with Seth Fedelin on the show showcased Andrea's ability to deliver kilig scenes and make fans want to see more of her soft side.
Andrea also headlined the dark teen-oriented series Senior High (August 2023-January 2024), which garnered a sequel, High Street, that just started airing on May 13, 2024.
She played a dual role in the series, showcasing her acting range—in heavy dramatic scenes, in intense confrontations with co-stars, or in breakdown moments.
One memorable scene was when she airs her frustration with her mom (Angel Aquino) for not doing anything about the mysterious death of her twin sister.
It was refreshing to see her in a role where she deals with injustice after injustice, which is a totally different track from what she gave viewers in Kadenang Ginto.
She makes use of her big, beautiful eyes to convey the emotions and plight of her character.
There is a special magnetism to Andrea. An independent spirit, she attracts the attention of the public even when she doesn't mean to. Her choices make waves. Her statements ripple across social media. With her, controversy follows. Around her, there are naysayers but there are always the defenders, too. People are interested in her.
The very elements that, let it be said, make a star.
Other projects: Goin' Bulilit, Annaliza, Pangako Sa 'Yo, Ikaw Lang Ang Iibigin, Huwag Kang Mangamba, Lyric and Beat, Drag You & Me, Senior High
Current show: High Street
Read: Gem of a Star: Andrea Brillantes lives up to her name
KYLINE ALCANTARA, 21
Kyline Alcantara is a former ABS-CBN child star who made the transfer to GMA-7 in 2017.
Kyline was an alumna of ABS-CBN's Star Circle Quest: Search for the next Kiddie Star.
She jumped over to GMA -7 to do the series Kambal Karibal, alongside Bianca Umali and Miguel Tanfelix.
This series, where her character constantly bullied the character of Bianca, is where Kyline made her mark as the kontrabida you love to hate.
One of their unforgettable scenes is Kyline throwing juice from a glass on Bianca's face and making it appear to be Bianca's fault. So maddening is her character, viewers not only see the malice in her eyes and in her face, they can feel it in the air.
In another confrontation scene, she pushes Bianca who is trying to talk sense into her. Seamlessly, Kyline breaks down as Bianca makes her admit to being possessed by Bianca's dead sister.
Kyline landed her first TV series via the Kapuso afternoon series Inagaw Na Bituin, which showcased not just her acting know-how but also her singing talent.
Adding to Kyline's assets is the candor with which she handles negative feedback, a rarity among young stars.
MANAGEMENT: Sparkle GMA Artist Center
Other shows: Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit, I Left My Heart in Sorsogon, Running Man Philippines, Luv is: Love at First Read
Future project: Shining Inheritance, GMA
Read: Kyline Alcantara distributes relief goods for victims of Mayon Volcano eruption in Albay
XYRIEL MANABAT, 20
Xyriel Manabat, a former child star of the Kapamilya Network, earned positive reviews for her portrayal of Antonette "Tonet" Pavia in the recently concluded ABS-CBN hit, Dirty Linen.
Her unlikable but hilarious character in the primetime series proved her ability to assume both protagonist and antagonist roles.
She made waves again in Senior High with a kilig teamup with Elijah Canlas. In the story, her loud and carefree personality is the exact opposite of Elijah's controlled and decorous behavior.
Xyriel has the advantage of pulling off scenes that go from comedy-romance among young folk to thoughtful, dramatic plots touching on teenage pregnancies.
That she has successfully stepped from child actress to young-adult performer after a six-year showbiz hiatus speaks of her abilities.
As a child star, she was already recognized for her charm as an opinionated little girl possessed by a ruthless lady boss (Coney Reyes) in the hit Kapamilya series 100 days to Heaven.
She also has no regrets about taking the long time off. In an April 2023 interview with the press, including PEP, she explained that she went back to complete her high school and, in the process, enjoy her youth.
Now the all-grown-up Xyriel is comfortable expressing herself—whether addressing a basher, talking about her cosmetic enhancements, or revealing a non-showbiz boyfriend.
MANAGEMENT: ABS-CBN Star Magic
Current show: High Street
Read: Xyriel Manabat on her showbiz hiatus: "I made sure na wala po akong ma-miss sa youth ko."
ZAIJIAN JARANILLA, 22
Zaijian Jaranilla became popular in Filipino households as Santino Guillermo in the 2009 ABS-CBN hit television series, May Bukas Pa.
He would also appear in memorable roles in Juan dela Cruz, FPJ's Ang Probinsyano, Bagani, The Broken Marriage Vow, and Mars Ravelo's Darna.
During his transition from child star to young-adult actor, he portrayed young versions of lead characters in teleseryes.
In 2018, he landed a meaty supporting role as a young warrior trained by Enrique Gil in Bagani.
But it was in his special participation in 2021's Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin that an all-grown-up Zaijan caught the attention of viewers.
Then he landed another acting break as the son of Jodi Sta. Maria and Zanjoe Marudo in The Broken Marriage Vow, the Pinoy adaption of the series Doctor Foster (with a popular adaptation in Korea titled World of The Married).
Zaijan proved he has what it takes to be a serious actor as he matched the intensity of his seniors in the series, prompting fans to want to see more of him on TV.
Off cam, Zaijan makes no secret of how he looks at acting not simply as a craft but as a means of providing for his family.
In a 2020 interview for I Feel You, he said he is mature for his age because he grew up with the "mindset" that he is the family's breadwinner.
In Senior High and High Street, Zaijan continues to wow viewers with his sensitivity and his ability to control his emotions.
Fans of the series also cannot get over his unexpected boys' love teamup with Miggy Jimenez.
One of their much-applauded kilig scenes is when Zaijan expresses his yearning and fear with a teary-eyed gaze at Miggy minutes before he finally gives in to his feelings and initiates a kiss.
MANAGEMENT: ABS-CBN Star Magic
Other shows: Noah, Lorenzo's Time, Mars Ravelo's Darna
Current show: High Street
Read: Zaijian Jaranilla, 21, graduates from senior high school
XIA VIGOR, 14
Xia Vigor got her biggest break in 2015 when she won It's Showtime’s “Mini Me 2” contest as a mini-Selena Gomez.
In 2017, she gained international fame for impersonating Taylor Swift on ABS-CBN's Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids.
Then seven years old, Xia appeared dressed in a marching-band uniform as homage to Taylor's costume in the latter's Fearless international tour.
She also nailed Taylor's signature red lipstick and blonde hair. Coupled with her energetic dance moves and stage presence, Xia easily won the hearts of the judges.
It was such an adorable performance, it made headlines on international entertainment news sites and blogs like the Huffington Post, as well as online sites of TIME, Billboard, and Cosmopolitan.
She also turned in a touching performance as Aga Muhlach's daughter in the Philippine adaptation of Miracle in Cell No. 7.
One of the movie highlights is when she is secretly smuggled inside prison to be reunited with her father, who was beset with mental illness and falsely accused of murder and rape.
Moviegoers shed tears, especially over the dramatic parting of father and daughter as the father is finally sent to his death.
At 14, Xia has blossomed into a beautiful young lady determined to be an actress.
Last January 2024, she starred as the daughter of Janno Gibbs in the comedy film Itutumba Ka Ng Tatay Ko. She essayed a tomboyish role, that of a daughter who looks up to her father who acts like a thug but has a soft heart.
Xia and Janno's tandem appears to be inspired by the tandem of Judy Ann Santos and Fernando Poe Jr., who topbilled the1999 box-office film Isusumbong Kita Sa Tatay Ko.
MANAGEMENT: VIVA Artists Management
Shows: FlordeLiza, Langit Lupa
Read: Xia Vigor praised by Perez Hilton, intl publications for Taylor Swift number
MARCO MASA, 16
Marco Masa is best known for his title role in Nathaniel, an ABS-CBN series about an angel tasked to live among humans to help bring back their faith in God and love of neighbor.
He was seven years old at the time, had an engaging smile and a kind-hearted look about him. It made him a perfect fit for the role.
Marco joined Star Magic in 2013 and transferred to GMA in 2022.
His first project in GMA was Start-Up PH, where he played the role of young Tristan, the character played by Alden Richards.The flashback scenes in the series gave Marco a chance to show his acting skills with veteran star Gina Alajar, no less, as the character closest to him in the story.
Marco is also known for his team-up with Ashley, with the two given the uniname AshCo. They are featured as the second-tier loveteam in the ongoing primetime series, Black Rider.
Their lighthearted scenes provide a venue for Marco to work his charm on the audience by keeping his acting simple and relatable. As the brother of Ruru Madrid in the story, Marco is also given good exposure as a potential matinee idol.
MANAGEMENT: Sparkle GMA Artist Center
Show: Black Rider, Secret Notes, Pepito Manaloto,
Read: Former child star Marco Masa, umaani ng papuri sa Start-Up PH
ELIJAH ALEJO, 19
Young actress Elijah Alejo is best known for portraying antagonistic characters, in both Prima Donnas and the TV remake of Underage in GMA.
She has played the young version of lead stars in seventeen—yes, 17—GMA-7 drama series.
But it was in Prima Donnas where she shone, playing the mean girl out to make the lives of Jillian Ward, Sofia Pablo, and Althea Ablan miserable.
The viral episodes of the show would often carry comments from netizens saying they were "nanggigil sa inis" at Elijah. This contravida persona worked to her advantage as she headlined the Christmas special for Regal Studio Presents, Ang Pasko Ni Santi, in December 2023.
She played a rebel teenager who is whisked off to the province to live with her difficult grandfather as punishment. As she gets to know her lolo, she lets her guard down, until she experiences a real change in character—turning the story into a heartwarming one.
At age 19, Elijah took on the mature role of a teenage mom in a two-part episode of Tadhana, which aired April 27 and May 11.
This time, she was the bullied one wrongly blamed for misconduct in school. The incident leads her to trust an older guy, who offers a shoulder to cry on, only to have him take advantage of her. The performance earned Elijah critical praise.
In an interview with gmanetwork.com in May 2023, Elijah says she knew she had matured as an actress when she started giving her insights about how she wanted to portray a character.
In real life, Elijah sees herself as the breadwinner of the family.
In an interview on the online show, "Updated With Nelson Canlas," in January 2023, she revealed that she became very worried during the pandemic when the entertainment industry was forced to stop work.
Saying she provides for her tuition, for household expenses, and for the rent of the family home, she needed to have income. Landing a big break in Prima Donnas, and thus the regular income, is something Elijah is very grateful for.
Her network is equally grateful for getting such good performances from the young Elijah.
MANAGEMENT: Sparkle GMA Artist Center
Other shows: Underage, Marimar, My Husband's Lover
Read: Lexi Gonzales, Elijah Alejo, Hailey Mendes bida sa Kapuso remake ng Underage
MIGGY JIMENEZ, 25
Miggy Jimenez was a former Kapuso child star and part of the children's show, Tropang Potchi.
It was in Gameboys that Miggy got the chance to be noticed by boys' love fans in the role of Wes.
The hit online BL series had a movie version in 2021 and a season two for the series in 2022.
In Gameboys Season 2, Miggy and Kyle Velino became the second-tier loveteam, following the successful loveteam of Elijah Canlas and Kokoy de Santos.
Miggy had undeniable chemistry with Kyle, and fans of the series instantly fell in love with their characters.
Then Miggy took on an edgier role in Two And One, a movie produced by the IdeaFirst Company for Vivamax.
Headlined by Miggy, Paolo Pangilinan, and Cedrick Juan, the story centers on a consensual ménage à trois which eventually ruins the relationship between Miggy and Paolo's characters.
He was also part of the trending teleserye, Senior High, as Poch Robles. His teamup with Zaijan in the show was applauded for thrilling viewers.
In real life, says Miggy, he is straight. In a 2022 interview with PEP, he admitted to having a girlfriend.
In March 2024, Miggy joined Star Magic, the talent management arm of the Kapamilya Channel.
MANAGEMENT: ABS-CBN Star Magic
Current Show: High Street
Read: Miggy Jimenez, mas nahirapan sa paggigitara kesa paghuhubad
WILL ASHLEY, 21
Will Ashley is a young and talented young star introduced as one of the leading men in Prima Donnas Book 2, a GMA drama series.
He was paired with Jillian in the series. The two practically grew up together in showbiz, having known each other since they were 14.
They worked together in the Kapuso shows My BFF (2014) and Pari 'Koy (2015). But after Prima Donnas, the two went their separate ways.
In June 2023, he admitted in an interview with the PEP Troika that there was a time he had special feelings for Jillian, but they were too young then to entertain romance.
In 2023, the actor played the role of Jerry in GMA-7's and ABS-CBN's biggest collaboration yet, the television series Unbreak My Heart.
He was paired with showbiz newbie Bianca de Vera.
Will's acting know-how will be put to the test as he is paired with Ina Raymundo for a May-December affair via the movie X&Y.
MANAGEMENT: Sparkle GMA Artist Center
Current Show: Unbreak My Heart, Mano Po Legacy: The Flower Sisters
Upcoming film: Balota
Read: Will Ashley, Saviour Ramos reveal takeaways from The Fake Life series
