Arzen Rose Dulzura

11 child characters from Kapamilya teleseryes who endeared viewers with their cuteness, wit and inspiring stories

Article (news)

Mary Ann Bardinas

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744679085313Thumb (11).jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Over the decades of watching teleseryes, we’ve surely encountered characters who have left a lasting impression on us not only because of how they are astoundingly portrayed by the actors giving life to them, but also because of how they are able to captivate us with their irresistible charm and inspire us to be better people through their inspiring stories. </p><p>Among them are the remarkably adorable young female characters that we listed in this special feature, who have helped us renew and strengthen our faith in God and made us realize a lot of things in life. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Agua Cristi, Agua Bendita (2010)</strong></div><div><iframe width="1585" height="596" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7-meJE9S6g4?si=KTeGMLp42D-u-wNc" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>First on this list is none other than the iconic Agua Cristi, the other half of the Cristi twins and one of the titular characters in the classic fantasy-drama series Rod Santiago’s “<em>Agua Bendita</em>,” whose body is color blue since she was made up of 100% water. The twins in their childhood were both played by then-rising child star Xyriel Manabat.</p><p>While Agua’s unexplainable physical defect seemed to be a punishment to his parents after their mom, Mercedes (Vina Morales), consumed the holy water that was stolen by their father, Guido (John Estrada), from the church in a desperate attempt to save them from miscarriage, it eventually became a blessing for she had the ability to heal people in grief. Her physically normal twin sister Bendita might be hostile towards her throughout their childhood as she got jealous of the special treatment that their parents had given her, but Bendita learned to love Agua in the end when they were already adults (depicted by Andi Eigenmann).</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Momay Buenavidez, Momay (2010)</strong></div><div><iframe width="1585" height="596" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TNdH24K_8VI?si=KYRRteUokjZWKpjX&amp;start=149" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>From playing dual characters, Xyriel went on to take on the role of a young ghost in another fantasy drama series that very same year, which was Elena M. Patron’s “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/articles-photos/throwback-photos-of-xyriel-manabat-as-momay-2010-14817"><strong><u><em>Momay</em></u></strong></a>.” She impressed us with her portrayal of the titular character, whose real name is Miley Buenavidez, who passed away at an early age after saving her little brother Justin when their house was engulfed by fire.</p><p>Upon her plea, she was given the chance to come back to Earth 15 years after her death—yet as a ghost and still in the form and mind of a child—in order to tie up all the unresolved issues in their family and protect them from her wicked and deceitful Auntie Hillary (Glydel Mercado), who was the main culprit behind her death. In her return, she met a cowardly little boy named Andro (Maliksi Morales), who eventually became her best friend and partner in fulfilling her missions.</p><p>Throughout her journey as a living child and an adorable ghost, Momay taught us what unconditional love really means and set a good example for kids (and even adults) on how big sisters (or brothers) and children should be to their families.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Mutya, Mutya (2011)</strong></div><div><iframe width="1585" height="596" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CW3UfCEe6lQ?si=Os5h1_HldWuInX9U" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Based on Pablo S. Gomez’s comic of the same title, “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2024/11/26/throwback-mutya-2011-0014"><strong><u><em>Mutya</em></u></strong></a>” follows the journey of the titular character impressively played by then-newcomer Mutya Orquia, a child mermaid who went through a lot of harassment and mockery from people due to her deformity—her two legs were attached to one another. But in spite of all the cruelty she experienced, Mutya remained kind, loving, and understanding to everyone.</p><p>Fortunately, her adoptive family, particularly her older brother, Aries (Jairus Aquino), was always there for her to protect her from anyone or anything that inflicted harm on her. As she continued to grow and develop, her family realized that what they assumed was Mutya’s physical disability turned out to be her mermaid tail slowly forming. That’s because she was the lovechild of Cordelia (Lara Quigaman), a human, and Prinsipe Irvin (Alfred Vargas), a royal merman. </p><div> </div><div><strong>Anna Manalastas, 100 Days To Heaven (2011)</strong></div><div><iframe width="1585" height="596" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZBj0ysgdj7U?si=8vtWRr4CisQmWlwY" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>What will you do if you find out that you’re not heading to heaven after you die? For Madam Anna Manalastas (Coney Reyes), she bargained with the Tagabantay, or the gatekeeper of heaven, to give her a second chance to live again for her to be able to make amends with people whom she mistreated and to rectify all her wrongdoings when she was still alive. Tagabantay agreed, but there was a catch: she had to fulfill her mission within 100 days while she was in her childhood form (Xyriel Manabat).</p><p>In her quest to redeem herself, Anna was helped by a young boy named Kevin (Louise Abuel) and his family, who didn’t only take her into their humble abode but also assisted her in carrying out her missions. In the end, she was not only able to accomplish her tasks, but she was also able to find her estranged biological daughter, who turned out to be her accomplice Sophia (Jodi Sta. Maria).</p><p>Being able to go back to life and in her child form indeed allowed Anna to feel the love, learn the life values, and experience the things she didn’t get to do due to the circumstances she went through when she was young. Through her journey in “100 Days To Heaven,” viewers were reminded about the value of love, forgiveness, and sacrifice, as well as of being kind to others and enjoying life to the fullest.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Annaliza Querubin, Annaliza (2013)</strong></div><div><iframe width="1585" height="596" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pmVZM_KpVJA?si=kZdTTBE1VFv_naUY" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Following the story of the titular character impeccably portrayed by then-rising child star Andrea Brillantes in her first-ever lead role, “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2024/11/26/throwback-annaliza-2013-1650"><strong><u><em>Annaliza</em></u></strong></a>” demonstrated to us what unconditional love is like. At a young age, Annaliza inspired us to remain strong and optimistic amid adversities and to never lose our faith in God because circumstances will surely turn out fine in the end. Besides, while it can be tempting to retaliate against those who crossed us, it’s still better to choose kindness.</p><p>Even though she was deprived of her mother’s love, his adoptive father Guido (Zanjoe Marudo) was able to fill that void and raised her to become a virtuous, kindhearted, and happy young girl who inherited his cooking skills. Despite her cruel and traumatic experiences at the hands of her stepmom Stella (Kaye Abad) and her daughter, Arlene (Kyline Alcantara), who made her life miserable by maltreating her and even usurping her identity and inheritance, Annaliza still showed kindness and respect to them.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Baby Javier, Dream Dad (2014)</strong></div><div><iframe width="1585" height="596" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jbbfP0GPJrA?si=5_WYQL33HnqJGGGM" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>The story centers on the journey of Sebastian “<em>Baste</em>” Javier (Zanjoe Marudo), a veterinarian-turned-company CEO, and his adoptive daughter Baby (Jana Agoncillo), a wide-eyed orphaned girl whom he met at an orphanage. As they worked together after she bagged the coveted role of becoming the new face of “Wink Milk,” the flagship product of Baste’s company, they were able to get to know each other deeper and create a unique and tight bond. This led to Baste pursuing to obtain custody of Baby as her adoptive parent despite the presence of her biological mother and succeeding in the end.</p><p>Baste and Baby’s story is proof that family isn’t limited to the people with whom we are related by blood, but they can also be the ones that we choose to be with and be part of our lives. Besides, we should not let the child in us be completely lost even amid the circumstances that we go through in life—someone who looks at the brighter side of things and loves profusely.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Ningning Angeles, Ningning (2015)</strong></div><div><iframe width="1585" height="596" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dMHYR8hcJs8?si=eoK37T5RKUvtXWYp" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Our mornings in 2015 were surely brighter and warmer, thanks to the adorable curly-haired kiddo named “<em>Ningning</em>,” the second teleserye of then-fast-rising child actress Jana Agoncillo. At a young age, Ningning already encountered a lot of challenges in life—from the untimely demise of her mom to the eye disorder that she had to endure. Despite her condition, she still took it upon herself to be her dad’s partner and ray of sunshine, as well as his personal nurse when he got sick, as they went on with life together. </p><p>Ningning and her family indeed taught us a lot of significant morals to which viewers could really relate. They were a testament that it was still possible to have a happy and contented life despite not having much, as long as you have your beloved family by your side and you know how to appreciate the simplicity of life. Besides, they also reminded us that all things can be achieved through hope and perseverance, as well as the love and inspiration brought by family and friends.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Heart de Jesus, My Dear Heart (2017)</strong></div><div><iframe width="1585" height="596" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f9WOeYEzzv0?si=0nLkS4hAorRh5RLg" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>In 2017, we surely found ourselves touched by the life of Heart (Nayomi “Heart” de Jesus), a vivacious young girl who grew up under the care of her adoptive parents Jude (Zanjoe Marudo) and Clara (Bela Padilla). However, just when things were going well, she suddenly fell into a comatose state due to her rare congenital heart condition. While she was unconscious, her soul was able to navigate and become visible to her doctor, Margaret Divinagracia (Coney Reyes), and formed an unexpected bond with her. In the end, it was revealed that Margaret was the mother of Heart’s biological mom, Gia (Ria Atayde), with whom Jude had a romantic affair in the past, and Heart was their love child.</p><p>My Dear Heart demonstrated to us the meaning of unconditional love as seen in her relationships with her family and her best friend Bingo (Enzo Pelojero). The characters, especially Heart, also inspired us to stay faithful in God and to not easily give up as we go through life’s hard-hitting challenges.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Michaela “Mikmik” Villaluna, Nang Ngumiti Ang Langit (2019)</strong></div><div><iframe width="1585" height="596" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ed9A7KGRe9s?si=RgArOEsZ0KF38B5m" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>With her irresistible cuteness and charm, viewers probably couldn’t help but smile everytime we saw Mikmik, compellingly portrayed by then-newbie child actress Sophia Reola, on the daytime series “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2024/11/26/pictorial-photos-sophia-reola-bilang-si-mikmik-sa-nang-ngumiti-ang-langit-0958"><strong><u><em>Nang Ngumiti Ang Langit</em></u></strong></a>.” At a young age, she already had to go through a slew of challenges—from taking care of her leukemia-stricken mom and eventually grieving her demise to having to fit in the lives of her paternal family and enduring the maltreatments of her grandma, Doña Divina (Pilar Pilapil), and aunt, Katrina (Cristine Reyes).</p><p>In spite of all the nasty things she went through, Mikmik remained kind and loving, even to her family members who were hostile towards her. It was also admirable how she seemed to be ahead of her age with how she’s able to fend for herself and take care of other people, which is something young people could learn and emulate.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Starla, Starla (2019)</strong></div><div><iframe width="1585" height="596" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C89Yhr_3sTY?si=sF9qKA8nWfLL-eqT" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>While it’s probably easy for some of us to surrender as we encounter obstacles and setbacks along the way, playful wishing star Starla (Jana Agoncillo) and her human friend Buboy (Enzo Pelojero) reminded us not to because help will surely come the way we don’t expect to. As the townsfolk of Barrio Maulap encountered various challenges, the adorable dynamic duo let their hearts of gold shine by helping several of them in a truly magical and stellar way.</p><p>With Buboy as her keeper, Starla used her powers in instantly resolving the problems of the people they encounter along the way in just one cast of her magic spell, “<em>Ano man ang hiling, aking tutuparin. Ang iyong nasa loob, ipagkakaloob. Ngayon din. Now na</em>!”</p><p>It can be recalled that Starla’s friendship with Buboy started after he accidentally caught her, mistaking her for a firefly, when the wannabe wishing stars descended to Barrio Maulap one night for their excursion. The wayward wishing star’s sojourn here on Earth indeed taught her a lot of lessons and brought her experiences that further motivated her to fulfill her duties.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Grace Banaag, Saving Grace: The Untold Story (2025)</strong></div><div><iframe width="1585" height="596" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xh-KYK9RS4g?si=U3MILkzGktBZz2br" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Another little girl from a teleserye who’s way beyond her years is Grace Banaag, astoundingly portrayed by newcomer Zia Grace in the primetime series “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/savinggrace"><strong><u><em>Saving Grace: The Untold Story</em></u></strong></a>.” Growing up in a dysfunctional household with an uncaring and selfish mom and an abusive and gaslighting stepdad, Grace has to learn to do household chores and sell rugs to earn more money while also having to endure the abuses of her parents.</p><p>She has surely made a lot of audiences cry buckets of tears and feel heartbroken as we follow her harrowing journey from being maltreated by her parents to running away with her Teacher Anna (Julia Montes), who treated her as if she were her own daughter, from everyone looking for them. Her story doesn’t only remind us that family can be the people that we choose, but also sheds light on the domestic abuse still being gone through by many children around the world.</p>

<p>Let us reintroduce the adorable little girls from Kapamilya teleseryes who charmed us with their cuteness, wit, and inspiring stories.</p>

Let us reintroduce the adorable little girls from Kapamilya teleseryes who charmed us with their cuteness, wit, and inspiring stories.