The stars who made surprising impact in 2023 are all exemplary in the way they made us look and appreciate film, television, and the art of performing in general, differently.
These artists broke away from the pack and introduced themselves through sheer wit, charm, and talent, allowing us to know them finally, after being in the sidelines of showbiz, before their unexpected but thoroughly deserved ascent.
Made to soar by their singular and unforgettable performances on television or in film, these stars stood out from the rest, and won audiences across different platforms, enough to convince us they will make it even bigger this year:
Anthony Jennings.
Can’t Buy Me Love isn’t the first TV show or movie that brought Jennings to the attention of both casuals and critics. He was stellar in the MMFF film, Love At First Stream and he charmed us tremendously in the web series, Tara, G. From the onset of the pandemic season, it was his exceptional talent that made us convinced he would definitely move up a notch in his promising career. It happened in late 2023, with the arrival of Snoop, the character he plays in the Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano-topbilled series. Endearingly comic and fun, his take on the character glides through the magic of his partnership with Racal, who is similarly outstanding in the series.
Ashley Ortega.
A lighthearted sports-drama was Ortega’s ultimate vehicle to finally make the public notice her extraordinary skill in 2023. First made a solid impression through her character in Widow’s Web, she made the audience remember her name with Hearts On Ice‘s Ponggay. There is an authentic sophistication in Ortega’s showcase of her beauty and charm, a mix that becomes completely irresistible when made to shine alongside her noteworthy acting chops. That is definitely the reason why her 2024 is looking beyond promising for her career.
Cedrick Juan.
Juan did not have to introduce himself during his acceptance speech, when he won the Best Actor trophy at the the recently-held awarding ceremony of the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival. His performance extraordinaire in Gomburza, was a solid introductory statement that will surely make people remember his name. Tracing his humble roots in theater, and early beginning as a supporting star in various TV shows and film, Juan flashed through the stage like a lightning bolt, the way real breakout stars emerge into the scene.
David Licauco.
It is an understatement to say that Licauco is among the prettiest faces to come across the local showbiz industry recently. The beginning of his journey, however, isn’t recent. For a while, he was struggling to join his contemporaries in the spotlight. Thankfully, his time came last year, when his character, Fidel, became among the most talked-about assets of the successful TV series, Maria Clara at Ibarra. There is more, however, beyond the chinito actor’s wit and charm; he is a promising leading man with enormous room for improvement.
Herlene Budol.
It’s tempting to suggest it was the public’s fascination for strong personalities that solely brought Budol to mainstream attention. But this steadfast showbiz aspirant, whose journey as a beauty queen, generated both positive and negative judgment, is so much more than her beauty and charm. She resonates really well with the casual audience, and while there is a lot more to improve in her pursuit as an actress, she seems to be a star waiting to grow inordinately in size. She had immense success with Magandang Dilag, and though she made an unflattering impression with the scandal she got herself into during the last quarter of the year, 2024 undoubtedly holds exciting opportunities for her showbiz career.
Kaila Estrada.
2023, alone, gave Estrada unforgettable roles that allowed her dazzle critics, as well as netizens and casual viewers. From Linlang to Can’t Buy Me Love, she made us forget her showbiz roots, and helped us become acquainted with her star through her sheer masterfulness and artistic brilliance. She is no longer just the daughter of great actors, John Estrada and Janice de Belen; she is breakout star, Kaila Estrada.
Daniela Stranner.
Senior High is the one to give Daniela Stranner her first kontrabida role, which is also her biggest TV break yet. It is interesting, however, to think that most have long seen the young actress’ knack in playing ‘maldita’ roles, through her previous projects. As Z, she took it up a notch, by completely acing a role with tragic motivations and dark story to tell.
Lianne Valentin.
The first time Valentin made a mark with TV audience, was when she played a young mistress in the hit afternoon series, Apoy Sa Dagat. In 2023, she was once again a kept woman, via the Regal Entertainment drama, Lovers/Liars. Is she in danger of getting typecast into the same role? Maybe? But one thing is for sure, and this is why she was able to still delight the audience despite taking on a very familiar role, she always has something new to inject to her performance, which is why her takes both on Beatrice (Royal Blood) and Hannah (Lovers/Liars), are fun to watch.
Maris Racal.
Racal took on a number of roles in 2023, and each time, she made sure it was her brilliance that made the audience remember and love her. Through Can’t Buy Me Love‘s Irene, she was able to showcase her oversized comic cleverness and exceptional sophistication as a conceited ultra-rich whose ‘I’m the most important person in this room’ demeanor can actually be more entertaining than annoying. Racal, through her singular take on the role, made an impression she could certainly make a lead-star character work. Who knows, the management may be watching, and give her her much-awaited solo break this year.
Kaori Oinuma.
As Rigel, Oinuma was a major plot twist that took A Very Good Girl’s viewers aback. But it wasn’t just the big reveal about her character that made Oinuma as an actress truly shine, as she delivered her daring scene with Dolly de Leon singularly and with gutsiness and grit.
Miggy Jimenez.
As Pocholo Robles, a.k.a. Poch, Jimenez dazzled viewers through the exceptional chemistry he made with co-star, Zaijian Jaranilla, but it’s his incredibly compelling portrayal of his character, its internal struggles and determination, that made it soar. In connecting with Jaranilla, Jmenez seems to have benefited from his experience in playing boys love characters in his previous projects, but it’s undeniably his talent that truly allowed him tell Poch’s story more effectively.
Kazel Kinouchi.
Kinouchi first drew mainstream attention when Abot Kamay Na Pangarap exploded in TV viewership in late 2022. One can say she benefited from the series’ growing popularity as it further exposed her as an aspiring actress. Be that as it may, it was also her impressive take on Zoey, that allowed her make a mark on daytime television.
McCoy de Leon.
It takes an excellent actor to portray a villain effectively. That’s true in the case of De Leon, who completely peeled off his old artistic profile, free from his teenybopper, boy-next-door image, to play the despicable David Dimaguiba. He did so with flying colors, making him already a household name barely a year into playing the character.
Jennica Garcia.
From being an amazing dramatic actress to a promising host, Garcia thoroughly utilized the year in making sure the audience understood she wasn’t kidding in her pursuit of a showbiz resurgence, which she certainly did through Lala, in Dirty Linen. Through It’s Your Lucky Day and Pie Channel’s U’r Da Boss, she practically screamed her lungs out that she is more than an actress and the Jean Garcia’s daughter that many know her for; she is a skillful host too.
Xyriel Manabat.
Manabat’s seal of greatness has long been stamped in local showbusiness, long before Senior High, started making a mark on primetime television, since last year. She was Anna Manalastas, Momay, and all the unforgettable child characters that made her one of the child wonders of her generation. She had some form of resurgence in 2023, through teen character, Roxy, but only because she took a break from acting. Through the role, she showcased the same spectacle that she never had a tough time delivering to her awestruck audience.
Aside from these incredible young stars who radiated with brilliance and appeal, last year, there are more who are similarly worthy of mention in this article. Tommy Alejandrino,Elijah Canlas, Miles Ocampo, Khalil Ramos, VR Relloso, JK Labajo, and KaladKaren, similarly dazzled with their exemplary artistry, through unforgettable performances and we can’t wait to see them shine brighter in this new year.
