After a six-year hiatus from showbiz, former child star Xyriel Manabat returns stronger and proves she’s now a young star to be reckoned with.

In an interview with Gretchen Fullido in her digital show On Cue, Manabat revealed why she took a break from acting despite then being at the peak of her career.

“Ang totoong reason ko noon is gusto kong mabuhay nang regular, mabuhay nang normal. Gusto ko pong gumising nang walang schedule, pumunta sa mall na walang magpapa-picture dahil sa mall show o work. Gusto ko pong gumising na sa school ako pupunta, hindi sa call time” (The real reason was that I wanted to live a regular life, to live normally. I wanted to wake up without a schedule, go to the mall without anyone asking for a picture because of a mall show or work. I wanted to wake up because I had to go to school and not because of a call time), she said.

“Gusto ko lang may ma-fulfill ako sa youth ko, pero hindi ko alam na part of me, na-burnout ako (I just wanted to have something fulfilled in my youth, but I didn’t know that a part of me had burnout),” she continued, adding that she used to prioritize her career over her personal and academic life.

But now Manabat is back and has made a splashy return with the hit TV series Senior High and Dirty Linen. Her return to acting, she said, was due to the prodding of non-showbiz and showbiz friends, specifically Andrea Brillantes and Zaijian Jaranilla.

The former child star is thankful for the warm and heartfelt support she’s getting from fans.
“Maraming maraming salamat po kasi hindi niyo po ako pinapabayaan at palagi niyong ine-embrace ‘yung bawat character na ginagampanan ko” (Thank you so much for never neglecting me and for always embracing every character I portray),” she said.

Manabat began her career as a child actress after Star Circle Kid Quest, where she finished third runner-up.

Following her win in the talent search program, she became a household name when she starred in Agua Bendita (2010), Momay (2010) and 100 Days to Heaven (2011).

She also starred in popular films like Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last Na ‘To) and A Mother’s Story, for which received two FAMAS awards, one MMFF award, two PMPC Star Awards and more.

She returned to acting in 2023 with Dirty Linen and Senior High, where she earned praise from critics and viewers for her performances. Her unexpected chemistry with Senior High co-star Elijah Canlas also drew massive buzz on social media.