Kapamilya child star Xyriel Manabat is back and shining brighter than ever.
Starting her career at the tender age of five, Xyriel gained attention for her remarkable roles, many of which earned her notable accolades.
Now a 19-year-old Gen Z actress, model, and influencer, Xyriel continues to hone her craft.
She is currently trending on social media and gaining great press for her catchy lines in the drama Dirty Linen.
FAMILY AND EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Xyriel, whose full name is Xyriel Anne Bustamante Manabat, was born on January 27, 2004, in Taytay, Rizal.
Her parents are Daryl Jake Manabat and Elizabeth Dianne Bustamante-Manabat.
She has a brother named Xandrei Ezekiel.
She is one of the proud celebrity members of the Filipino religious Christian church Iglesia ni Cristo.
On June 17, 2020, the Kapamilya star finished high school at the Golden Faith Academy in Taytay, Rizal.
Posting her graduation photo online, her simple caption read: "All for You!"
In a Facebook post put out on the same day, Xyriel thanked her family for making the milestone a memorable one, even if the graduation ceremonies were put on hold due to the pandemic.
She wrote, "Simpleng handa para sakin, thank you mama [hearts emoji] and thank you tita baby, ate kim and kay ate melody [hearts emoji] love you all [kiss emoji]."
Xyriel dreams of pursuing civil engineering at the University of the Philippines, as she revealed in an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal).
She said, "I always dreamed of building my own house and up till now my dream kept going. I want to pursue it as I become closer to that dream po."
SHOWBIZ CAREER
Xyriel took her first shot at acting in 2009, after joining the talent competition Star Circle Quest: Search for the Next Kiddie Idol, where she finished 3rd runner-up.
She was only five years old.
Since then, she has appeared in several television programs that helped make her a household name.
In particular, her breakthrough performance as the young Agua and Bendita in the eponymous series earned her a nomination for Best New Female TV Personality during the 24th PMPC Star Awards for TV in 2010, when it was released.
She gained more recognition when she later played the titular role in the Kapamilya TV series Momay in the same year as Agua Bendita.
For the 2010 Philippine adventure fantasy drama Noah, she starred alongside Piolo Pascual, Zaijian Jaranilla in the title role, Jodi Sta. Maria, Jolo Revilla, Melissa Ricks, Kristine Hermosa, and Cherry Pie Picache.
The 2010 film Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last na 'To!), earned Xyriel her first official award at the 36th Metro Manila Film Festival, where she was named Best Child Performer.
She later garnered two more awards in 2011 for the same role: Best Film Child Performer and Best Child Actress at the 5th Gawad Genio Awards and 59th FAMAS Awards, respectively.
Cementing her status as an award-winning actress, Xyriel later on achieved five wins and three nominations from different award-giving bodies, for portraying the character of young Anna Manalastas in 100 Days To Heaven.
Coney Reyes played the adult counterpart of Anna Manalastas.
Xyriel's next big project came through the 2014 show Hawak-Kamay, where she played one of the three adopted children of Piolo Pascual's character.
The ensemble cast included Iza Calzado, Andrea Brillantes, Zaijian Jaranilla, Nikki Gil, and Yesha Camille.
Xyriel currently plays the clout-obsessed influencer Antonette "Tonet" Pavia in the 2023 drama series Dirty Linen, which garnered netizens' praise for the show's unique plot and the cast's outstanding (even meme-worthy) performance.
Janine Gutierrez, Zanjoe Marudo, Seth Fedelin, Francine Diaz, and John Arcilla are part of the show's cast.
ROMANTIC/SHOWBIZ LINKS
During the press conference for Dirty Linen on January 11, 2023, Xyriel confirmed that she is currently dating a non-showbiz personality.
"Ngayon po mayroon, student siya, same age kami. Bago pa lang," she shared.
"Hindi naman mahirap, naiintindihan naman niya yung sitwasyon, so di mahirap."
She expressively thanked her boyfriend for being supportive of her showbiz comeback.
At the start of her showbiz career though, a healthy colleague relationship was formed between Xyriel and her former co-star Zaijian Jaranilla, whom many hoped to be her real-life partner.
In fact, Xyriel approved of a possible love team between them if given the chance.
When asked about having a love team during a recent appearance as a guest on Magandang Buhay in March 2022, she initially just hinted about it.
She said that the actor she'd like to work with as a reel partner is someone from abroad.
Host Regine Velasquez asked, "Dito, sino yung feeling mo, naku-cute-an ka?"
Before mentioning Zaijian's name, Xyriel corrected she was not "naku-cute-an," in deference of Zaijian's non-showbiz girlfriend.
Xyriel said, "Siguro po ano, hindi po naku-cute-an, yari po ako sa jowa!"
"Pero parang feeling ko po mabibigyan po namin ng justice if ever maging ka-love team ko po si Kuya Zaijian," Xyriel continued.
She then quickly clarified, "Kuya ko po iyon, ha!"
FILMOGRAPHY
MOVIES
- Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last Na ‘To!) (2010) as Monay Montecillo
- Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak! (2011) as Maycey Arcangel
- Enteng Ng Ina Mo (2011) as Monay Montecillo
- A Mother’s Story (2012) as Queenie Santos
- Amorosa (2012) as Nadia
- 24/7 in Love (2012) as Ayie Manrique
- Sisterakas (2012) as Cindy Maningas
- Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy (2013) as Cindy
- Pangil sa Tubig (2015) as Fatima
- Ilawod (2017) as Bea
- Mary, Marry Me (2018) as young Mary Anne
TELEVISION
- Star Circle Kid Quest: Search for the Kiddie Idol (2009) as herself (runner-up)
- May Bukas Pa (2009-2010) as Bea Aragon
- Agua Bendita (2010) as young Agua/young Bendita
- Rubi (2010) as young Rubi Perez/Theresa Dela Fuente
- Momay (2010) as Miley “Momay” Buenavidez
- Your Song Presents: Gimik 2010 (2010) as Gracie Lorenzo
- Your Song Presents: Andi (2010) as Emily
- Noah (2010) as Veronica “Nica” Avila
- ASAP Natin ‘To (2010-2017, 2022) as herself (performer)
- Eat Bulaga! (2011 and 2022) as herself (guest contestant)
- 100 Days To Heaven (2011) as young Madam Anna
- Ikaw Ay Pag-Ibig (2011) as Angelica
- Wansapanataym (2012-2013) as various roles
- It’s Showtime (2012, 2017) as herself (performer)
- Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw (2013) as Cherish Dagohoy
- Maalaala Mo Kaya (2013-2016) as various roles
- Minute to Win It (2013) as herself (contestant)
- Juan dela Cruz (2013) as Tata
- The Legal Wife (2014) as young Monica “Ikay” Santiago
- Ikaw Lamang (2014) as young Monalisa “Mona” Roque
- Hawak-Kamay (2014) as Sandara “Dara” Nicholas/Sandara “Dara” Magpantay Agustin
- Nathaniel (2015) as Camille
- Wildflower (2017) as young Lily/young Ivy Aguas
- Magandang Buhay (2020) as herself (guest)
- Dirty Linen (2023) as Antonette “Tonet” Pavia
AWARDS
Here are the awards won by Xyriel through the years:
MOVIES
2010
- 36th Metro Manila Film Festival
- Best Child Performer for Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last na 'To!)
2011
- 5th Gawad Genio Awards
- Best Film Child Performer for Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last na 'To!)
- 59th FAMAS Awards
- Best Child Actress for Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last na 'To!)
- 37th Metro Manila Film Festival
- Best Child Performer for Enteng Ng Ina Mo
2012
- 60th FAMAS Awards
- Best Child Actress for A Mother's Story
TELEVISION
2012
- Yahoo! OMG! Awards 2012
- Child Star of the Year for 100 Days to Heaven
- GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards
- Most Popular Female child Performer for 100 Days to Heaven
- 26th PMPC Star Awards for TV
- Best Child Performer for 100 Days to Heaven
- 10th Gawad Tanglaw for Television
- Best Performance by an Actress (Drama Series) for 100 Days to Heaven
- 8th USTv Student's Choice Awards
- Best Actress in a Dailyy Local Soap Opera for 100 Days to Heaven
2014
- 13th Gawad Tanglaw for Television
- Best Single Performance by an Actress for Maalaala Mo Kaya: Salamin
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