After her stint as the young Andi Eigenmann in Agua Bendita, Xyriel Manabat comes back to give laughter everyday on ABS-CBN's newest primetime series Momay.
The six-year-old actress—who used to just play the younger versions of Marcela in I Love Betty La Fea, Rubi in the Pinoy adaptation of Mexicanovela Rubi, and Agua and Bendita—says it's really her dream to become an actress.
How does it feel to be a child celebrity?
"Masaya po kasi po marami akong nakikitang artista, marami po akong nagiging friends," said the 2009 Circle Quest Kiddie Idol runner-up during the press conference of Momay yesterday, June 2, at 9501 Restaurant, ABS-CBN compound, Quezon City.
As a young actress, Momay directors Manny Palo and Darnel Villaflor said Xyriel is one of the easiest child stars to work with.
Direk Darnell explained, "Sa case ni Xyriel, she's intelligent kasi so madali siyang i-instruct, madaling ibigay 'yong emotions. Ang problem lang siguro doon ay short attention span. Si Xyriel kasi, kapag ang eksena niya sa bahay, mabilis lang. Pero kapag let's say nasa Fun Land (the story's main setting shot in Star City) kami, medyo ang dami niyang nakikita. Doon lang ang mahirap na part when working with kids. Pero kapag si Xyriel, madali lang siya i-instruct."
Direk Manny seconded, "Si Xyriel, ang isa sa mga napaka-intuitive na batang nakatrabaho ko yata—napakahusay pumick-up ng instructions at napakagaling mag-memorize ng linya. Amazing, ano, kung paano niya name-memorize ang mga napakahabang linya. In fact, yesterday (June 1), dalawang units kaming magkasabay nagsho-shoot, lipat siya nang lipat ng units.
"Ang bilis niyang pumick-up, mag-memorize ng linya kasi nakakapagbasa na siya, e. 'Tapos ang bilis rin niya sumunod sa mga instructions. Siguro ang pagkakaiba lang, maiksi ang attention span, madaling mapagod kaya sobrang alalay din kapag bata ang hina-handle naming artista."
Momay revolves around a little girl named Miley "Momay" Benavidez who passed away and came back as a ghost to protect her family.
Completing the cast of Momay are young actors Ejay Falcon, Bettina Carlos, and Tyrone Perez. Another child actor Maliksi Morales (the younger brother of Makisig Morales) also plays Xyriel's best friend in this show.
Follow the story of this "makulit na bata na multo" daily on ABS-CBN before TV Patrol.