There are plenty of Filipino celebrities who started out as child stars. Due to the popularity of showbiz personalities in the country, many young children aspire to be like their celebrity idols. So, instead of playing with their toys, many kids, together with their parents, try their luck to enter show business by attending commercial auditions and joining talent-search shows.
For some, they think of starting a career in this industry as a way to a better life, while others simply develop a liking for acting or singing at a very young age. There are also children who are exceptionally talented actors and singers and are the epitome of the cliché phrase “born to be a star.”
A number of Pinoy child stars got recognized for being the young version of a main character in a teledrama or sidekick of protagonists on TV shows and movies. A lot of them skyrocketed to fame and created their own mark in showbiz. But there are also those who chose to leave the glamorous life of being a celebrity and went on to a different career path.
Can you remember some of these Pinoy child stars? Ever wondered where they are now and what they've been up to?
Well, you are about to find out just that in the gallery below:
BJ 'Tolits' Forbes became a household name after joining the talent-search segment called "That's My Boy" on 'Eat Bulaga' in 2003. Because of his appealing looks, he became a mainstay in the longest-running noontime show.
Tolits is now a family man with his partner and their daughter. Tolits also serves as an ex-officio member of the Sanguniang Panglungsod of Angono, Rizal, on his role as SK Federation President.
Before BJ 'Tolits' Forbes became known to public, Steven Claude Goyong was one of the first notable contestants of 'That's My Boy,' where he placed first runner-up in 1998.
Goyong recently got married to his partner, Frances Charmine Goyong. After leaving the limelight, Goyong worked as a floor director of 'Eat Bulaga' for some time.
Tom Taus rose to fame when he starred as Prince Cedie in the 1996 film 'Cedie: Ang Munting Prinsipe.'
Tom Taus now works as a DJ inside and outside the Philippines. Recently, Tom welcomed the new year spinning for Sailing Club Nha Trang in Vietnam.
Meryll Soriano's first movie project was 'Rocky Plus V,' which she did when she was just six years old.
Meryll is now a mom of two, after welcoming her son with current partner, actor Joem Bascon. Meryll's first-born, Elijah, is her son with her ex, actor Bernard Palanca.
Lady Lee was the contemporary of Aiza Seguerra in 'Eat Bulaga's "Little Miss Philippines," where she placed first runner-up in 1990.
In 2021, Canada-based Filipino broadcast journalist Rhea Santos reported that Lady Lee was an international culinary student in Vancouver Community College (VCC).
RR Herrera won the Best Child Performer in the 1988 Metro Manila Film Festival for the movie 'Agila Ng Maynila' and the 1989 FAMAS Awards for the movie 'Rosenda.'
RR is now a family man with two kids with wife Carelle Mangaliag-Herrera. RR also works as a motivational speaker and executive of TrainStation Philippines, a training company.
Serena Dalrymple began her career in show business in 1997 after starring in a famous television commercial of a fast food chain.
Serena retired from show business in 2004. She currently lives in the United States with her husband, Thomas Bredillet.
LA Lopez was discovered by the late Comedy King Dolphy after he joined 'Eat Bulaga's "That's my Boy." As an actor, he began his career on the children's show 'Eh Kasi Bata' alongside Aiza Seguerra and RR Herrera. He also won several Awit Awards as a singer.
LA Lopez left the Philippines in 2002 to go to the United States, but came back home after seven years to pursue his music career. He now serves as a pastor at Abundant Harvest Fellowship Philippines.
Jiro Manio was best known for his award-winning performance in Maryo J. Delos Reyes's film 'Magnifico.'
Jiro now has two children. In 2020, news broke out that Jiro was arrested in Marikina City for alleged frustrated homicide.
Throughout the '80s and the '90s, Atong Redillas starred or became part of about 40 films. He was also Camille Prats's escort in "Little Miss Philippines" pageant of 'Eat Bulaga' in 1990.
Now, Atong works as a comedian, content creator, and an associate professor at the University of the Philippines-Manila.
Kathleen Go Quieng was one of the co-stars of Aiza Seguerra, RR Herrera, and LA Lopez in the hit children show 'Eh Kasi Bata.'
Kathleen now has a Master's Degree in Communication from the University of Santo Tomas. According to her Linkedin profile, she currently works as a part-time faculty of UST-Angelicum College.
Anna Larrucea rose to fame as Trina of the 1995 movie 'Batang X,' which also starred John Ace Zabarte, JC Tizon, John Prats, and Janus del Prado.
In 2013, Anna Larrucea got married to Robbie Pangilinan in 2013, and gave birth to a baby boy named Andrew Ryder in 2014.
Chantal Umali became known for her 'Goodbye, Carlo' TV commercial in the early '90s.
Chantal is now a loving mother to a 11-year-old daughter named Elliana. She is now also a yoga enthusiast.
Junell Hernando starred in the 1996 fantasy film 'Magic Temple,' where he portrayed the character of Sambag.
Junell now lives happily with his wife and their four children.
Sam Bumatay was the Ultimate Female Survivor of 'StarStruck Kids.'
Sam Bumatay graduated from the University of Santo Tomas with a Computer Science degree. She used to work as a Security Consultant in a cyber security services and consultancy company.
Kurt Perez became famous after being awarded as the Ultimate Male Survivor of 'StarStruck Kids.'
Kurt now lives away from the limelight in Australia after his family migrated shortly after winning 'StarStruck Kids.' In his appearance on 'Eat Bulaga''s "Bawal Judgmental" in 2021, the former child star said he was taking a master's degree in data science.
Ella Guevarra was Sam Bumatay and Kurt Perez's batchmate in 'StarStruck Kids.' She has successfully proven her worth as a child actress when she won numerous awards.
Ella was an active volunteer of a non-profit organization.
Dindin Llarena was a finalist in 'Eat Bulaga''s "Little Miss Philippines."
Dindin now works as a Corporate Services Responsibility Associate at PTT Philippines Corporation. She also got married to Robby Volosin in February 2020.
Ani Pearl Aquino was known as the cute friend of Princess Sarah (Camille Prats) named Lottie in 'Sarah: Ang Munting Princessa.'
Ani Peral is still active with her acting careers, performing in theatrical plays and TV commercials.