Xyriel Manabat discloses actors she wishes to work with, next project she likes to do

Mary Ann Bardinas

There’s definitely no doubt that Xyriel Manabat was one of the greatest child stars in Philippine showbiz. And she further astounded us when she made an acting comeback in 2023 via <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/dirtylinen" target="_blank">Dirty Linen</a> and <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/seniorhigh2023" target="_blank">Senior High</a> as she wowed us anew with her versatility and intensity as an actress.As we are still looking forward to see what’s next for her, let us listen first to her inspiring, insightful, and amusing exchange with ABS-CBN News showbiz correspondent Gretchen Fullido in this episode of “On Cue.”<div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="703" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vfB-7ue5Fxo" title="ON CUE: Xyriel Manabat | ABS-CBN News" width="1250"></iframe></div>Since she was in her preteens when we last saw her in the 2017 series <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/wildflower" target="_blank">Wildflower</a>, playing the role of young Lily Cruz/Ivy Aguas (Maja Salvador), many were totally shocked when photos of her as a bombshell teenager went viral online in recent years. And Xyriel said that she totally understands where the people were coming from and can totally relate with their reactions regarding her va-va-voom transformation.While she received praises for her evolution, she’d also been subject to criticisms, body shaming, and bashing of netizens who were either displeased by her physical appearance or objectifying her for how her body has developed.“For me, nahirapan po ako doon sa mga close-minded people. I don’t even have to correct them kasi dapat wala akong ino-owe sa kanila e. I don’t owe them anything. But I owe myself the clarity and the peace of mind that I deserve. So, if pwede ko namang i-voice out and if pwede ko namang ipagtanggol ‘yong sarili ko, why not? Why be silenced if I’m fighting for the right thing?” she conveyed. Thus, she didn’t hold back in calling her bashers out and clapping back at naysayers in a polite and sensible way.She then added, “If we can try to stop them in our own way and if we have the voice and the platform, we can use it to call them out and to tell them that it’s wrong. Just because we’re public figures, doesn’t mean we’re public property. Hindi nila kami pagmamay-ari just because we show ourselves to them, doesn’t mean they have all the right to tell everything.”<div> </div><div>Dream projects and roles and personal goals</div>After the tremendous success of <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/seniorhigh2023" target="_blank">Senior High</a> in which she was loved by the viewers as Roxy, she is now looking forward to do a heavy drama project again. While it was pretty tiring to always cry and pour emotions out, she admitted that she already missed playing characters that have depth and are oppressed.With regard to the personalities that she dreams of working with, she said that it would be her former senior co-actors and fellow child stars who became her friends. She also wishes to work again with her ultimate idol and all-time favorite actress Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, as well as with Piolo Pascual who she enjoyed working with in a couple of projects, and Jericho Rosales.Xyriel then expressed her gratitude to everyone who have supported her ever since the beginning of her career and disclosed her personal goals this 2024 and in the coming years. According to her, she wants to attain stability and learn the proper way of handling life; to be able to maximize her craft and explore it more; and to not waste any opportunity and just accept whatever will be given to her as long as she can.As Gretchen regards her as an inspiration and epitome of empowerment, especially to young women like her, the Kapamilya actress was asked to impart some nuggets of wisdom.She willingly obliged and stated, “Hindi mo kailangang puwersahin o bigyan ang sarili mo ng ultimatum kung kailan ka magma-mature o kung kailan ka magiging successful. Kasi the more you force yourself to achieve something na hindi ka pa ready i-achieve, kapag na-disappoint ka o kapag hindi mo siya na-achieve by that timeline na binibigay mo sa sarili mo, made-depress ka lang, mafru-frustrate ka lang. At hindi ‘yon nakakalapit sa goal mo, lalo ka lang nagho-holdback kapag gano’n. So, kailangan mong maging free, kailangan magaan lahat habang ginagawa mo. At matuto ka sa bawat bigat at gaan na pinagdadaanan mo.

Xyriel Manabat wishes to work with her ultimate idol Judy Ann Santos, as well as with Piolo Pascual and Jericho Rosales. 

Xyriel Manabat discloses actors she wishes to work with, next project she likes to do | ABS-CBN

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Xyriel Manabat discloses actors she wishes to work with, next project she likes to do

Xyriel Manabat discloses actors she wishes to work with, next project she likes to do

Mary Ann Bardinas

Published Feb 25, 2024 09:05 PM PHT

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Updated Feb 25, 2024 06:06 PM PHT

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