Awra Briguela (Tagalog: [ˈaʊɾa brɪˈgela]), is a Filipino actor and comedian who gained recognition after starring in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano (2016–2019), personally chosen for the role by the show's lead actor Coco Martin. Briguela's life was featured in a titular episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya in 2016. In 2017, Awra was declared champion in the first season of the Filipino version of Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids.[3]
Awra Briguela | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 26, 2004[1] Las Piñas, Metro Manila, Philippines |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, comedian, singer, dancer |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Agent(s) | PowerCasting Artist Management[2] Star Magic (2016–present) |
| Known for |
|
| Musical career | |
Career
editBriguela started her career off as an internet celebrity.[4] Briguela became known to her parents for impersonating actresses like Sarah Geronimo and Sarah Lahbati. She was discovered by actor Coco Martin, who saw her potential in the primetime television series FPJ's Ang Probinsyano (2016–2019),[5] a remake of the 1997 film of the same title and name. Briguela gained widespread for her role as "MakMak" and the series was produced by Dreamscape Entertainment Television, who created many successful pictures such as Doble Kara, Ina, Kapatid, Anak, and Till I Met You. Briguela starred in the series opposite Coco Martin, Susan Roces, Maja Salvador, Bela Padilla, Albert Martinez, Arjo Atayde, Eddie Garcia, Agot Isidro, Jaime Fabregas, and Simon "Onyok" Pineda, who played the role of Onyok.[6][7][8] Briguela won a 3rd Aral Parangal Awards for Best Child Performer, which she won twice, for the primetime series.
Her life was featured in an episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya, playing as herself alongside Aleck Bovick and Janus del Prado who played her mother and father respectively. She made her feature film debut in the Super Parental Guardians (2016) where she portrayed the role of Megan Gaspar alongside fellow Ang Probinsyano actors Coco Martin, Onyok Pineda and Vice Ganda.[9][10][11] Briguela later participated as a contestant in Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids (season 1).[citation needed]
Personal life
editBriguela is fond of impersonating Filipina actresses like Sarah Geronimo, Sarah Lahbati, and her idol Maja Salvador, who was one of her co-casts in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano. She popularized her screen name "Awra" upon achieving mainstream recognition as an actor and comedian.
Raised as a boy, her parents said that she has already shown signs of "being gay" since she was three years old for expressing preference for Barbie, Hello Kitty and skirts.[3] However by 2023, she reportedly identifies as a trans woman.[12]
Briguela financially supported her father Oneal Brian's five-year graduate education after having completed college in 2019. Brian earned his Master of Business Administration degree from Philippine Christian University.[13]
Legal issues
editOn June 29, 2023, Briguela was arrested for inflicting physical injury following an altercation at a bar in The Bolthole Bar, Poblacion, Makati. According to witnesses and CCTV footage, Awra took exception when a male guest refused to take off his shirt.[14][15] Awra was later released on July 1 after posting bail.[16]
Discography
editSingles
edit| Year | Track | Album | Details | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | "Clap Clap Clap Awra" | — |
|
[17] |
Filmography
editFilms
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Here Comes the Groom | Whitney | Supporting role | |
| 2021 | Big Night! | Galema | Supporting role | |
| 2019 | Familia Blondina | Mondesto | Main cast | |
| 2017 | Ang Panday | Diego | Supporting cast | |
| 2016 | The Super Parental Guardians | Melvin "Megan" Nabati | [18][4] |
Drama series
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Comedy Island Philippines | Awra - The Influence | Main role | |
| 2022 | "Suntok sa Buwan" | Orange | Supporting cast | |
| 2022 | Lyric and Beat | Unique | Main role | [19] |
| 2019 | Mga Batang Poz | Chuchay | Main protagonist | |
| 2019 | "Past, Present, Perfect?" | Bembem | Main role | |
| 2017 | Wansapanatym: Amazing Ving | Ving Cristobal | Season 7, Episodes 364–373, Main protagonist | |
| 2016 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Fifty Pesos | Herself | Biographical film, Season 24: Episode 47 | [4] |
| 2016–2019 | Ang Probinsyano | Macario "Mak Mak" Samonte, Jr.† | Supporting, recurring role / Protagonist | [18][4] |
TV shows
edit| Year | Title | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Emojination | Herself/Host | |
| 2022 | All-Out Sundays | Guest Performer | |
| 2020 | Yes Yes Yow! | Host/Performer | |
| 2017 | Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids (season 1) | Contestant, Grand Winner | [18][4][20] |
| 2016 | ASAP | 2016–present, recurring guest and performer | |
| 2016–2020 | Gandang Gabi, Vice! | 2016–present, recurring guest | |
| 2016 | It's Showtime | 2016–present, recurring guest and performer |
Online shows
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Your Face Sounds Familiar: KaFamiliar Online Live | Herself | Substitute host |
Accolades
edit| Year | Award-giving Body | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 30th PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Child Performer | FPJ's Ang Probinsyano | Won | [4] |
| 2017 | 3rd Aral Parangal Awards | Best Child Performer | Won | [4][20] | |
| 3rd Platinum Stallion Media Awards | Best Film Child Actor | The Super Parental Guardians | Won | ||
| 33rd PMPC Star Awards for Movies | New Movie Actor of the Year | The Super Parental Guardians | Nominated | [21] | |
| Child Performer of the Year | Nominated | [21] | |||
| 2018 | 3rd Illumine Innovation Awards for Television | Most Innovative TV Child Star | — | Won |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Awra Briguela turns 18 with photo shoot, celebration". Push. ABS-CBN. March 29, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
- ^ Paglaki ng ulo ni Awra, pinalagan ng mga managers (in Tagalog). News Ko. Published on April 16, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
- ^ a b "'Awra' knew he was gay at age 3". Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 10, 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g The Amazing Showbiz Journey of Breakout Child Star Awra Briguela. ABS-CBN Entertainment. Published on July 21, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
- ^ Buan-Deveza, Reyma (May 18, 2015). "Coco to star in TV remake of FPJ's 'Ang Probinsiyano'". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
- ^ "'Ang Probinsyano' ni Coco tatagal pa hanggang 2017 – Bandera" (in Filipino). Bandera. August 22, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
- ^ "Coco Martin, ginawaran ng special citation sa 63rd CIDG Founding Anniversary" [Coco Martin, conferred with a special citation at the 63rd CIDG Founding Anniversary] (in Filipino). ABS-CBN. January 20, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
- ^ "Record-breaking rating of 'FPJ's Ang Probinsyano'". The Standard Showbitz. February 13, 2016. Archived from the original on March 20, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
- ^ Escuadro, Kiko (November 7, 2016). "Vice Ganda shares more about his new movie "Super Parental Guidance"". Push (in Filipino). Archived from the original on November 11, 2016. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
- ^ "Coco Martin, Vice Ganda team up in 'The Super Parental Guardians'". Rappler. November 20, 2016. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
- ^ "Coco, Vice sport new looks for upcoming movie". ABS-CBN News. September 14, 2016. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
- ^ "Gender group slams Makati police chief". Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
- ^ Purnell, Kristofer (March 14, 2024). "Awra Briguela celebrates father finishing MBA, 5 years after graduating college". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
- ^ Batallones, Jeck (June 29, 2023). "Awra Briguela arestado matapos masangkot sa kaguluhan sa Makati". ABS-CBN (in Filipino). Retrieved June 29, 2023.
- ^ "Awra Briguela: The events leading to her arrest and legal woes".
- ^ Cerezo, Anna (July 1, 2023). "Awra Briguela nakalabas na ng kulungan". ABS-CBN (in Filipino). Retrieved July 2, 2023.
- ^ Awra Briguela - Clap Clap Clap Awra (Official Lyric Video). Star Music on YouTube.
- ^ a b c "Get to know Awra Briguela, the 'breakout child star' of his generation". CNN Philippines. May 5, 2017. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
- ^ "WATCH: Full trailer of 'Lyric and Beat' launched; trends on Twitter". ABS-CBN News. July 13, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
- ^ a b Awra wins big on ‘Your Face Sounds Familiar – Kids’ Archived October 12, 2018, at the Wayback Machine. Manila Bulletin. Published on April 10, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
- ^ a b PMPC names nominees for 33rd Star Awards for movies. inquirer.net. Published on July 18, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.