The inaugural Star Magical Prom happened on March 30 at the Bellevue Hotel, with numerous celebrities showcasing their finest Bridgerton-themed outfits on the exquisite ivory carpet.
Some attendees were former child actors Jb Agustin, Jana Agoncillo, Louise Abuel, Raikko Mateo, Krystal Mejes, Marc Santiago, Mutya Orquia, and Xyriel Manabat.
These actors are still young despite being on television for several years already. The event was also their first time attending a prom.
Agustin gained recognition for playing the main character Caloy in the ABS-CBN Filipino TV drama Little Champ. He also has celebrated roles in television series like Wansapanataym, Hawak Kamay, and Nathaniel. He’s now 17 years of age.
Meanwhile, Agoncillo, now 14, emerged as a child actress, gaining prominence for her roles as Baby Javier and Baby Morales in the 2015 TV show Dream Dad. Additionally, she is known for receiving a nomination for Best TV Child Performer at the PMPC Star Awards. She regularly updates her fans on how she’s doing via her Instagram.
“To be honest it takes a lot of patience, discipline, determination, hard work, and trust if you really want to be an actor. And specially stay humble and grounded. I’m forever grateful,” she wrote in a previous post talking about her acting workshop.
Born on December 27, 2003, Louise Abuel is an actor and a commercial model. He initially gained fame for his roles as Kevin Delgado in the TV show 100 Days to Heaven, Young Jao in Princess and I, Pikoy in Juan dela Cruz, and young Franco Hidalgo in Ikaw Lamang. Currently signed with ABS-CBN, Abuel earned the Best Actor award in the Asian Film segment at the 18th Dhaka International Film Festival in 2020.
Orquia received the Best Child Performance award at the 4th FMTM Awards 2012 for her role in Be Careful With My Heart. She was supposedly going to reprise her role in a 2013 film adaptation, but it got canceled due to scheduling conflicts. In 2014, she contributed to Be Careful with My Heart (The Lullaby Album).
Orquia was a regular on Goin’ Bulilit from 2012 to 2019. After ABS-CBN’s shutdown in 2020, she joined TV5 in 2021 and starred in Niña Niño along with Maja Salvador and Noel Comia Jr. She also appeared in a Click, Like, Share episode on iWantTFC.
Mateo rose to fame as a child actor for portraying the main character in the family drama series Honesto, earning him the PMPC Star Award for Best Child Performer. He appeared on the children’s sketch comedy program Goin’ Bulilit and in movies such as Northern Lights: A Journey to Love in 2017. His acting career began with the 2013 series Wansapanataym: Moomoo Knows Best.
On the other hand, Mejes gained recognition for her role as Becca, the daughter of Julia Montes’ character Kara in Doble Kara. She also appeared in the show Nang Ngumiti Ang Langit.
Fellow child actor Marc Santiago, a former Goin’ Bulilit star, also asked her out to the prom.
“Mixed emotions kasi kinakabahan ako na hindi ko maintindihan and also experience din. I appreciate it a lot. Thank you for his effort. Sino ba ang hindi kikiligin doon?” said Mejes in a vlog uploaded on YouTube.
“Almost three years na ‘yung last na kita namin at taping pa ‘yon ng ‘MMK.’ Sobrang liit pa namin, bata pa kami,” Santiago said.
Manabat, the most well-known from the group, also stunned netizens with her dress.
Manabat began acting in 2009 after joining Star Circle Quest, finishing as 3rd Runner-Up. She gained fame for her roles in Agua Bendita and Momay. She later appeared in Noah, 100 Days To Heaven, and won Best Child Actress at the 36th Metro Manila Film Festival for Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last na ‘To!). In 2014, she starred in Hawak Kamay and later played an antagonist in Dirty Linen.
Meanwhile, Belle Mariano and Donny Pangilinan were named Star Magical Prom King & Queen. The rising stars, collectively known as “DonBelle,” secured the prestigious award following a public vote that placed them at the top of the Prom King & Queen candidate list.
Mariano and Pangilinan are considered burgeoning superstars among their generation of talents, boasting successful movies, a popular series, and numerous endorsements.
“Don’t rush things. Take into account that everything comes in the right time,” Pangilinan said.
“Never lose that sense of hope and perseverance. Everything worth having doesn’t come easy. Enjoy the journey, and never forget where you came from.”
