Xyriel Manabat remains unforgettable for the majority of Kapamilyas, especially after becoming one of the most iconic child stars of the 2010s. After several career-defining roles, a six-year hiatus from showbiz, and being a part of “Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition,” everyone’s just beyond thrilled to hear about Xyriel’s journey of self-growth in the September 2 episode of “Hello Outside World.”
The spotlight has been the norm for Xyriel ever since she was just three years old. In spite of her father’s disapproval—since he wanted her to focus on her education before anything else—Xyriel’s mother and aunt consistently supported her during auditions, including on-the-spot kiddie competitions usually held in shopping malls.
“Nagta-tantrums ako ‘pag hindi nila ako pinapayagang mag-audition… Hanggang [sa] pagtanda ko, ‘pag gusto [ko] hindi ako mapipigilan, kapag ayaw [ko] hindi n’yo [rin ako] mapipilit,” Xyriel expressed.
Known for her astonishing wits at an early age, Xyriel was often viewed as intelligent by those around her, which made her the perfect fit as the young Anna Manalastas (whose adult counterpart was portrayed by Coney Reyes) in “100 Days to Heaven.” Apart from that, seasoned director Joyce Bernal would tease her imperfect teeth when she was younger while pointing out that Xyriel was actually the best actress among her batch.
When talking about “PBB Celebrity Collab Edition,” Xyriel used to laugh at the idea of becoming a housemate whenever her manager mentioned the previous celebrity auditions. It was because felt that she wasn’t quite ready to go inside the house. “Hindi pa ako ganito ka-warm, hindi ganito ‘yung [self-control] and mindset, [kaya] alam kong mapapaaway lang ako or mae-evict,” she explained.
At the moment, the young actress is deeply proud of her self-growth, which ultimately convinced her to push through with the “PBB” auditions, even when she nearly ended up as a house guest. “Lahat ng childhood friends ko, naiiyak-iyak sila sa laki ng ibinait ko talaga… Nag-audition talaga [ako] ng buong process [for PBB], inilaban ko talaga,” Xyriel stressed.
Specifically addressing the favorable outcomes that came from being a housemate, Xyriel acknowledged that it helped people witness her transition from a remarkable child star to a full-fledged actress. She also held the opinion that prior to her showbiz comeback, her real identity as a brave fighter had already been established through social media, particularly during the pandemic.
Contrary to her strong personality, Xyriel was well-aware that she was different inside the “PBB” house, as she had a more laid-back presence. Along with fellow housemate Ralph de Leon, she felt as though she had turned into a therapist in some way. “Feeling ko, bumait ako after nung Holy Week episode… In-expect ko talaga na mapapaaway ako, may aawayin ako, [or] maiksi pasensya ko,” Xyriel admitted.
Regarding her widely recognized fierceness, Xyriel ultimately clarified that she simply speaks up for the right reasons and not out of sheer pride. “Hindi po ako ‘yung palaban na warfreak lang. Tinatry ko naman po na for awareness ‘yung pinaglalaban ko,” she added.
As she recalled the good old days, Xyriel readily admitted that she was quite a troublemaker, together with her partner-in-crime, Zaijan Jaranilla. On the set of “Agua Bendita,” she and Zaijan would hide and fiddle with cellphones, uncovering a few secrets from their coworkers.
Enjoy the inspiring and intriguing stories shared by your favorite “PBB” housemates in “Hello Outside World!” Watch the full episodes on ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube Channel.
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