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Former Kapamilya young artists who grew up in the blink of an eye

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Mary Ann Bardinas

While there are stars who were able to break into the local entertainment scene when they’re already teens or even older, there are some who started off at young ages.Just like the child stars listed in this Kapamilya Snaps feature who used to charm us with their impressive talents and irresistible cuteness in the 2010s, and have astonished us with their transformation and impressed us with their acting skills in the recent years. Read on to find out who they are!<div>Zaijian Jaranilla</div>Avid Kapamilya fans know that the 2009 inspirational drama <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/maybukaspa">May Bukas Pa</a> is indeed one of the most iconic teleseryes ABS-CBN has ever made throughout its history. Aside from its stirring narrative, what made it extra phenomenal was its adorable wide-eyed lead character Santino, astoundingly played by Zaijian.This paved the way for him to score starring roles in the teleseryes <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/noah">Noah</a> (2010) and Lorenzo’s Time (2012) and other projects in the succeeding years. Now that he’s all grown up, the 20-year-old actor is slowly breaking away from the role he was first known for, through projects like <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/bagani">Bagani</a> (2018), <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/tbmv2022">The Broken Marriage Vow</a> (2022), and in the upcoming <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/articles-news/heres-everything-you-need-to-know-to-keep-you-all-the-more-excited-for-darna-15927">Darna: The TV Series</a> in which she’s about to take on the iconic role of Ding.<div>Kyle Echarri </div>He entered showbiz by joining <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/thevoiceteens">The Voice Kids Philippines</a> Season 2 in 2015. But it was only in 2018 when he finally had his big break through his acting stint in the afternoon soap opera <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/kadenangginto">Kadenang Ginto</a> as Kristoff. This was followed by a role in the primetime series <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/hkm2021">Huwag Kang Mangamba</a> (2021), in which he’s able to show his maturity as an actor through his character Rafa.The 18-year-old actor then surprised viewers and his fans when he recently joined <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/pbbs10">Pinoy Big Brother Kumunity Season 10</a> Celebrity Edition, which enabled him to showcase his authentic self. He’s working on his musical career as well by writing and producing his own album “New Views” and performing on <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/asap">ASAP Natin ‘To</a> every Sunday.<div>Darren Espanto</div>He may have fallen short in his bid to become the grand champion of <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/thevoiceteens">The Voice Kids Philippines Season 1</a>, but Darren has still received overwhelming support ever since his career took off in 2014. He has indeed flourished as a young singer who delighted us with his performances on <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/asap">ASAP Natin ‘To</a> every Sunday, as well as with his hits “In Love Ako Sa ‘Yo” and “Dying Inside To Hold You.” His recent single “Marry Me Marry You”, was used as the OST of the Kapamilya series with the same title.The 20-year-old talented artist also tried his hand in acting through the 2018 blockbuster movie “The Hows of Us”, wherein he impressed us with portrayal of Yohan, the younger brother of Kathryn Bernardo’s character George.<div>Louise Abuel</div>Before amusing us every weeknight as Nico, the mischievous brother of Charlie Dizon’s character Rica in the award-winning series <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/viralscandal">Viral Scandal</a>, Louise first made a name for himself by appearing in the 2011 teleseryes <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/100daystoheaven">100 Days To Heaven</a> and Ikaw Ay Pag-ibig. He then landed his first-ever lead role in the 2015 family drama <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/walangiwanan">Walang Iwanan</a>.The 18-year-old actor then made a comeback in 2019 by playing a supporting role in <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/kadenangginto">Kadenang Ginto</a>.<div>JB Agustin</div>Like some of the big and young stars we look up to at present, JB also kicked off his career in the popular kiddie gag show <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/goinbulilit">Goin’ Bulilit</a>. He also appeared in the first season of <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/angprobinsyano">FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano</a> as young Emmanuel (a.k.a. Ella), the notable character played by Vice Ganda, and earned his first lead role in the TV show Little Champ in 2013.And eight years after, the 16-year-old actor is making a return through his stint in <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/tbmv2022">The Broken Marriage Vow</a> as Max.<div>EJ Jallorina</div>The same with JB, his stint in <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/goinbulilit">Goin’ Bulilit</a> as one of its pioneer cast was also EJ’s ticket to the industry. He eventually appeared in Mga Anghel na Walang Langit (2005), <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/maybukaspa">May Bukas Pa </a>(2009), and <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/maraclara">Mara Clara</a> (2010), then in the 2011 teen series <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/articles-photos/63030718-throwback-growing-up-2011-13858">Growing Up</a>, wherein he got reunited with his bulilit batchmates Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes.And recently, the 28-year-old star returned to acting through the well-loved primetime series <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/marryme2021">Marry Me Marry You</a> as Dexie, the reliable co-worker and friend of Janine Gutierrez’s character Camille.<div>Francis Magundayao</div>He may not have come from any kiddie program nor reality show, but Francis was able to slowly build his acting career by taking on supporting roles in Kapamilya programs, such as Kokey (2007), <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/maybukaspa">May Bukas Pa</a> (2009), Dahil sa Pag-ibig and several episodes of <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/wansapanataym">Wansapanataym</a>.The 22-year-old actor is still able to book acting gigs, with his recent projects including <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/lalunasangre">La Luna Sangre</a> (2017), <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/angprobinsyano">FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano</a> (2018), and <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/asoldiersheart">A Soldier’s Heart</a> (2020), while working on his other passions like photography and videography.<div>Jairus Aquino</div>Those who were able to watch the 2006 kiddie superhero series <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/articles-photos/86030818-throwback-super-inggo-2006-13862">Super Inggo</a> would surely remember Jairus forever as “Pareng Jomar”, the dependable best friend-slash-sidekick of the titular character played by Makisig Morales. He went on to become the main character in the TV show Kung Fu Kids in 2008.The 22-year-old actor eventually got us kilig as a teen heartthrob in the teen series <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/luvu">Luv U</a> (2013), wherein he was paired with fellow former child star Sharlene San Pedro. He was last seen on <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/pamilyako">Pamilya Ko</a> (2019), wherein he portrayed the responsible son Percy.Who among these celebrities are you excited to see more in coming years?

Get to know the adorable child stars who have delighted us with their growth as individuals and actors in this Kapamilya Snaps feature!