These Filipina stars did what they had to do. Turning 18 is great, but hitting those milestones before becoming a fully-grown adult is even a bolder move.
Age is just a number, and obviously, even the young ones doesn’t let anything stop them from turning their dreams into a reality. Besides, who likes being told what to do? No one. Just look at these Filipina stars who worked hard to get to where they are like building their own homes, buying a car, and investing in businesses among many things. Life goals, right? Here are nine of the most bad-ass women who did what they had to do, all before turning 18.
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1. ANDREA BRILLANTES
Andrea Brillantes has been working since she was 10 as an actress. So, before she turned 18, she already started building her beautiful, Moroccan-inspired home after years of doing teleseryes, commercials, and TV guestings. After all the hard work, she finally gets to enjoy a space of her own. Prayer reveal, please!
2. JILLIAN WARD
Jillian Ward, dubbed as GMA’s “Teen Queen,” started her career early on as a child star, playing roles in Enteng Kabisote the movie, Pepito Manaloto and Captain Barbell. At 17, the Filipina actress was able to buy her first sports car (a Porsche) and build her own house.
3. FRANCINE DIAZ
With a career that began ever since she was a kid, Francine Diaz’s journey as an actress was never easy. Just like that, the Filipina actress is now one of the most celebrated from her generation and used her 18th birthday wish for good: to buy a home.
4. NADINE LUSTRE
At 11 years old, Nadine Lustre has become the breadwinner of her family. Even before becoming a grown woman, she’s been supporting herself and her siblings, taking on jobs outside of showbiz like graphic design. The award-winning Filipina actress has been paying for her own needs ever since she was little, including her tuition fees. Years later, she’s become one of the most bad-ass Filipinas in the ‘biz, protecting the environment, building businesses, and is always one clapback away when need be. We love a girl who never takes herself too seriously, but isn’t afraid to get feisty when she has to.
5. SARAH GERONIMO
Who would’ve thought that a 14-year-old girl from a humble beginnings would win one of the grandest music contests in the country? Even as a newcomer, Sarah Geronimo had the best-selling debut album in all of OPM after she won Star For A Night in 2003. And she wasn’t even 18 at that time. Since then she has built a home for her and her family, as well as invested in a few business endeavors. The happy ending she deserves.
6. NIANA GUERRERO
Niana Guerrero may just be one of the coolest kids right now. Not only cause of her smooth like butter dance moves, but because she’s ✨unproblematic✨ and just minds her own business. No wonder the dancer and content creator’s the most followed Filipina TikToker, has 14.5 million YouTube subscribers and has 13 million Instagram followers. Niana’s also collaborated with international acts like Matt Steffanina, AJ Rafael, D-Trix, and The Williams Family.
7. OLIVIA RODRIGO
Is it just us or is Olivia Rodrigo driving everyone crazy? In a good way, that is. It’s been a long ride ever since the Filipino-American singer’s track went viral on TikTok and on music platforms, earning her the Entertainer Of The Year award when she turned 18, Billboard Woman of the Year in 2022, and broke the record twice for most daily streams ever for a non-holiday song on Spotify. Good for her.
8. BELLE MARIANO
Belle Mariano only turned 18 two years ago, but has already taken on many roles since she was a kid. When she was 10 years old, she had one of her first headlining roles in the TV show Lorenzo’s Way. Not a lot of young ones can play a dramatic role at that age. The following year, Belle became a part of the Ang Probinsyano cast, along with roles in movies and shows starring Kathryn Bernardo, Liza Soberano and Julia Barretto. As soon as she became 18, she landed the role of younger Gabbie Salazar in Four Sisters and a Wedding that was originally played by Shaina Magdayao. Whew, now that’s a resumé.
9. KATHRYN BERNARDO
Hard to believe that Kathryn Bernardo was only 15 years old when she had her breakthrough role in 2011 for Mara Clara. Her character will always be remembered as one of the most iconic in prime time television and we’re happy to see how much she’s grown. Most of all, it’s been recounted years later that Kathryn is the only Filipina actress to have “breached the ₱800-Million mark for two movies,” for The Hows For Us and Hello Love, Goodbye. Now that’s on being a bankable actress.
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