From Ashtine Olviga to Jarren Garcia, these young artists are set to make 2025 their own.
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It’s always a fun time watching emerging young talents get their big break and make their names known. Whether they’re gunning to be screen slayers or stage icons, achieving success and stardom at a young age requires work, talent, time, support, and a little bit of luck, and these Gen Z artists know it. They’re ready to dive headfirst into the fast-paced, crazy, and yet fulfilling world of performance, media, and entertainment. Are you cheering them on?
From Pinoy Big Brother alumni to musical acts, these rising stars’ names and work will soon become familiar across the local pop culture scene. And we can never have too many dreamers showing us what they’ve got! Check out this roster of young artists currently on our radar who are all set to make 2025 their year.
ANDRES MUHLACH
After growing up away from the limelight, Andres Muhlach is choosing to follow in his parents’ footsteps and make his own way in showbiz. The young actor is currently taking on a challenge: his first lead role in a teen rom-com—the brash and abrasive Kiefer in VivaOne’s adaptation of Wattpad story Ang Mutya Ng Section E. His take on the Wattpad bad boy and cliché but beloved teen romance tropes have put him onto many people’s radar—ours included.
ASHTINE OLVIGA
Make way for the new girl in town class! Ashtine Olviga’s star is rising, and she’s slaying it. The young actress, singer, and former P-pop idol currently stars as Jayjay, the titular mutya in Ang Mutya Ng Section E, across Andres Muhlach’s Kiefer. The natural, dedicated way she embodies Jayjay makes her an enjoyable artist to watch.
RABIN ANGELES
The other contender for Jayjay’s affections in Ang Mutya Ng Section E (and her friend), Yuri, is played by young actor Rabin Angeles. If his commitment to his bright red hair is any indication, Rabin’s down to dedicate himself to the roles he plays. Although his career only started in 2023, with his skill and boy-next-door charm, he’s already got a growing filmography that will only grow as he shows us what he’s got in AMNSE.
AJAA
Energetic as ever, NYLON Manila Big Bold Brave Awards: Favorite Rookie P-pop Group winner AJAA is slowly making themselves known as the next boy group on your stan list. The quartet is bringing the fresh, youthful vibe to the music scene, and we’re dancing and bopping our heads to their feel-good music right along with them.
FYANG SMITH
Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11 Big Winner Fyang Smith is all set to reap the rewards of her win, finding her way through show business and making a name for herself. She makes her onscreen debut in Regine Velasquez’s music video for Wherever You Are alongside fellow PBB Gen 11 alum JM Ibarra.
JARREN GARCIA
London-born PBB Gen 11 alum, singer, fashion icon, and MYX VJ Jarren Garcia has been nonstop since his exit from the reality show. Currently set to release an album and host a fanmeet, 18-year-old Jarren remains booked and busy, working his way up to Gen Z it-boy status.
KAI
With her pipes and acting chops, PBB Gen 11 finalist Kai Montinola is one to remember. Besides delivering vocals in her appearances and performances, she’s also made a cameo in TV series Saving Grace (2024-present), playing the younger version of Julia Montes’ Anna. She’s got potential, y’all. Get her booked!
GELA ATAYDE
From studios to screens to stages, Gela Atayde is moving and grooving through stardom. The award-winning dancer and actor, who’s a mainstay performer on ASAP Natin ‘To, also made her acting debut on teen series Senior High and High Street, proving she’s got what it takes to shine. These days, you can catch her as a co-host of the new dance competition series Time To Dance on ABS-CBN.
ALEXA ILACAD
Alexa Ilacad’s certainly not new to the scene with a career spanning almost two decades, but we think she’s about to have one of the biggest years of her career this 2025. Consistently showing up and showing out on stage, the actress and singer is set to make her way back to theater in original musical Liwanag Sa Dilim and has a new movie in the works with KD Estrada, Jameson Blake, and Kira Balinger. The young star is clearly firmly donning her performer hat, showing the world what she can do, and we can’t wait to see her slay it.
ESNYR
Finding massive success with his High School Series on YouTube while also making his way into streaming, film, and TV, content creator and NYLON Manila cover star Esnyr is taking over pop culture, one character at a time. Following his role in Balota (2024), Esnyr is currently acting alongside DonBelle in Viu series How To Spot A Red Flag, putting his talent of embodying a diverse range of characters to good use. Here’s to more acting gigs for the young creative!
Continue Reading: Watch Out For These 10 Young Theater Actors Making Their Mark On The Philippine Stage
