Vlad Bunoan

Article (news)

Xyriel Manabat

Karen Flores

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177069675110820260209_133835 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Xyriel Manabat promotes her upcoming Netflix film &quot;18th Rose.&quot; Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News</div>Xyriel Manabat could not help but turn emotional as she took her turn on stage during the press conference for the 2026 lineup of Netflix Philippines on Monday, February 9. The <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2024/2/10/xyriel-manabat-shares-reason-she-went-on-hiatus-from-showbiz-1614">former child star</a> promoted her movie &quot;18th Rose,&quot; which will be available on the streaming platform starting April 9. It&#x27;s a special project for Manabat as this marks her first lead role in a movie, after years of showcasing her acting prowess by portraying supporting characters.&quot;It&#x27;s not just a dream come true, it&#x27;s an answered prayer,&quot; she said, getting teary-eyed. &quot;I&#x27;m very grateful to those who have trusted me.&quot;&quot;This is her debut film as a lead actress, so I think it&#x27;s her first major role,&quot; noted &quot;18th Rose&quot; director Dolly Dulu, who joined her on stage.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177069813684620260209_133600.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Xyriel Manabat with &quot;18th Rose&quot; director Dolly Dulu. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News</div>Set in early 2000s in the province of Romblon, &quot;18th Rose&quot; tells the story of two teenagers who connect through music as they chase their dreams.Manabat stars in the movie alongside Kyle Echarri, one of her close friends in the industry, respectively portraying the characters of Rose and Jordan.&quot;Kyle and I have known each other for a very long time. We&#x27;ve been friends since 2015, 2016,&quot; she shared. &quot;The first few days [of filming] we&#x27;re just joking around. We even went to a chemistry workshop but ended up laughing the whole day.&quot; &quot;Our friendship and Rose and Jordan&#x27;s friendship have similarities in some way, very young and playful,&quot; she added. Dulu, meanwhile, called the two an &quot;unlikely pair,&quot; which worked to their advantage. &quot;There were no expectations... so they were really just into the characters and just kind of developed in a way. They were friends already so it was easier for them to feel comfortable with each other,&quot; the director said.Watch Manabat and Echarri in a scene from &quot;18th Rose&quot; below:<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FO7M5mwEUXY?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

"It's not just a dream come true, it's an answered prayer."

"It's not just a dream come true, it's an answered prayer."

'An answered prayer': Xyriel Manabat finally gets first lead movie role via '18th Rose'

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Movies & Series

'An answered prayer': Xyriel Manabat finally gets first lead movie role via '18th Rose'

Karen Flores Layno,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 10, 2026 01:07 PM PHT

Read More:

Xyriel Manabat

Netflix

Kyle Echarri

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.