Flonique Guimary

WHO SAID THIS: Xyriel Manabat's fierce catchphrase in '100 Days to Heaven'

Article (news)

Alyana De Guzman

Push Team

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787282894709WST26-ArticleImg_56-XyrielManabat.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><p>“Kuha mo?” </p><p>This line was popularized by Anna Manalastas (Xyriel Manabat/Coney Reyes) in the hit ABS-CBN series <em>100 Days to Heaven. </em></p><p>The series follows Anna (Coney), a successful but ruthless toy company owner whose difficult childhood shaped the woman she eventually became. Long before she built her business empire, Anna was a gifted young girl who grew up without the love and presence of her mother. Her father (Mark Gil) was harsh toward her, often threatening and mistreating her whenever she tried to impress him, believing that his strictness would discipline her. </p><p>As Anna grew older, she became pregnant by a man she believed loved her. Her pregnancy further strained her relationship with her father, who reacted with anger. Before his death, Anna was left with a painful belief that people were ultimately incapable of genuine goodness. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/8/4/how-uncle-ben-s-timeless-lesson-became-the-foundation-of-peter-parker-s-heroism-in-spider-man-1748" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: WHO SAID THIS: How Uncle Ben&#x27;s timeless lesson became the foundation of Peter Parker&#x27;s heroism in &#x27;Spider-Man&#x27;</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>After giving birth to her daughter, Anna made the difficult decision to give the child away because she believed she could not provide the love, stability, and support she needed. Carrying years of hurt with her, Anna eventually became cold, selfish, demanding, and obsessed with success. </p><p>Her life eventually ended abruptly when she was killed in a car explosion orchestrated by Miranda (Valerie Concepcion), the wife of her trusted employee Bobby (Dominic Ochoa). </p><p>But death did not immediately mean the end for Anna. </p><p>As she was about to be condemned to hell, Tagabantay (Noel Trinidad), the gatekeeper of heaven, gave her an opportunity to change. Anna was sent back to Earth for 100 days, but with one major difference: she would return as her younger self, played by Xyriel.  </p><p>That meant the powerful CEO who had spent years commanding everyone around her suddenly had to navigate life through the body of a child. </p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787282997251Xyriel.PNG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/> </div><div><br/></div><p>And that is where Xyriel&#x27;s portrayal became one of the show&#x27;s most memorable elements. </p><p>Despite being only around six or seven years old at the time, Xyriel managed to capture the sharpness, arrogance, confidence, and commanding presence that Coney had established for Anna. She did not simply portray a child, but also carried the personality of a grown woman who was used to getting her way. </p><p>Whether she was giving orders, criticizing someone, or insisting that things be done according to her standards, Anna would often end her instructions with her signature “Kuha mo?” </p><p>The phrase became ironic, as a young girl is now speaking and behaving like a powerful CEO, delivering her words with the authority and attitude of someone who had spent years running a company.  </p><p>Anna&#x27;s second chance was not simply about changing her personality. It was about understanding why she became the person she was and learning that the people she once considered insignificant could teach her the most important lessons about life. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2026/8/11/who-said-this-tom-hanks-on-living-a-life-full-of-surprises-in-forrest-gump-1104" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: WHO SAID THIS: Tom Hanks on living a life full of surprises in &#x27;Forrest Gump&#x27;</strong></a></div><div>  </div><div><br/></div><p>In her younger form, Anna is helped by Kevin (Louise Abuel) and his family, who welcome her into their humble home and help her accomplish the tasks she must complete before her 100 days are over. </p><p>The people she once might have dismissed eventually become the same people who help her understand compassion, forgiveness, family, and love. </p><p>Little did Anna know that her second chance would also give her something she had been missing since childhood: the opportunity to experience the love and peace she never received when she was young. </p><p>Her journey eventually leads her to the daughter she gave up years earlier, Sophia (Jodi Sta. Maria). What begins as a mission of redemption becomes a journey toward reconnecting with the family she lost. </p><p>By the end of her 100 days, Anna is able to accomplish her missions and understand the consequences of the choices she made throughout her life. </p><p>Xyriel&#x27;s delivery helped make the phrase memorable. Her ability to reproduce Anna&#x27;s mannerisms and fierce personality at such a young age made the character both hilarious and impressive. The contrast between her youthful appearance and her CEO-like authority became one of the show&#x27;s signature charms. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="829" height="622" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KHnarzVQ6oA" title="Kuha Mo (Xyriel Manabat) | 100 Days To Heaven" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>The catchphrase became so closely identified with the series that “Kuha Mo?” was also used as the title of the show&#x27;s official theme song, which was performed by Xyriel herself. </p><p>Years after the series ended, Xyriel continues to look back at <em>100 Days to Heaven</em> as one of the projects she is most proud of. </p><p>During her 2025 interview on <em>Are You G?</em>, she described the series as one of her &quot;proudest work&quot; to date.  </p><p>“Kasi nakilala namin &#x27;yung mga beteranong [artista] na hindi lang kami tinuruan umarte pero kung paano makisama sa tao and paano harapin &#x27;yung buhay,&quot; she said.  </p><p>Her experience on the show also gave her the opportunity to work with one of her idols, Judy Ann Santos, who made a special participation as one of the figures of Tagabantay.  </p><p><em>100 Days to Heaven </em>is now streaming on ABS-CBN Entertainment&#x27;s official YouTube channel. </p>

<p>Xyriel Manabat shows off her CEO-like authority in 100 Days to Heaven through her iconic catchphrase. </p>

Xyriel Manabat shows off her CEO-like authority in 100 Days to Heaven through her iconic catchphrase.