Favorite Childhood Icons: Tracing the Influence of Phenomenal Filipinos

Reminiscing from the early 2000s to early 2010s, there are big names that left marks on the Philippine show business, from the silver screens to magazine covers. These pop icons molded our growth into adulthood by touching upon our mindsets and making the bad days lighter due to their memorable personas.

HaveYouSeenThisGirL

“Wala nang bawian mamatay man, period, no erase… 🎶”

If you remember how we religiously listened to and memorized ‘Perfect Two,’ ‘Porque’ or even had an LSS with ‘No Erase’ while fighting for our lives to find ebook copies of this author’s stories and get them via Bluetooth, then you probably know This GirL.

She wrote memorable characters like Eya and Cross. If these fictional names ring a bell to you, you’re definitely one of the OGs!

The novelist Denny, a.k.a. HaveYouSeenThisGirL, peaked success on Wattpad, where she garnered substantial readers—making her one of the first rising Filipino authors in the industry; her relatable writing style was showcased in her most famous stories, such as ‘Voiceless’ and ‘Diary ng Panget,’ the country’s highest-rated book from a local author.

Her writings possess the capacity to captivate readers through its unexpected construction of plots, compelling character development, a profound sense of connection, and the rightful kilig we need.

Kuya Tonipet & Ate Pia

Saturday mornings were never complete without hearing their cheerful and gleeful opening song. As our parents stir our hot milk or chocolate for breakfast, we sit directly in front of our TVs to focus solely on watching ‘Art Angel.’

Kuya Tonipet and Ate Pia made our Saturday mornings special with the pleasing and immersing showcase of their best-known artworks, such as recycled art projects, miniature gardens, and clay handicrafts, which made our youth become a starting point of boundless creativity and had more room for artistic imagination.

Kuya Kim

“Mapanuri, mapagmatyag, at mapangahas.” Who would ever forget the one and only host who wears his iconic brown hat and whose voice is instantly recognizable everywhere? In the Philippines, Kim Atienza, a.k.a Kuya Kim the ‘Trivia King,’ performs often dangerous stunts for knowledge’s sake.

As nurturing kids of the past, ‘Matanglawin’ was one of the most accessible outlets of information. Kuya Kim’s ability to relate to viewers of all ages and walks of life is a major factor in the show's success. His longtime involvement with ‘Matanglawin’ helped maintain the show's quality and popularity.

Kathryn Bernardo and Nadine Lustre

Remember when we used to engage in childish fandom fights over these actresses’ facial similarities? Kathryn and Nadine's ‘rivalry’ energized showbiz in the early 2010s. As we age, we gradually understand that no two individuals are exactly alike, as they are women of their own.

“Sige na, Freak! Magkunwari ka na!”

Remember this sassy line from Agua Bendita that resurfaced on Tiktok in mid-2023? This little girl with a high-pitched voice was Kathryn Bernardo all along! She made her acting debut in the 2006 television series ‘Super Inggo,’ where she portrayed the protagonist's romantic interest, Maya.

Back then, young girls enjoyed copying her kikay acting. After being successful on TV, she ventured into movies and eventually became the box office queen. Many people admired her, and never had a dull moment in show business since then.

“Come on, guys! It’s 2023!”

On the other hand, it’s been years, but we all still love President Nadine Lustre. The FAMAS two-time best actress awardee began her job in hosting at the tender age of 9, first appearing on the RPN network's children's show Storyland.

In April 2014, the film ‘Diary ng Panget’ was released and she portrayed the main character, Eya Rodriguez, based on the best-selling novel of the same name. Following her more-than-a-decade showbiz career, she was named Starmometer's ‘Most Beautiful Woman in the Philippines’ and remains one of the early 2010s greatest actresses.

These phenomenal Filipino superstars, from the mag pages to the silver screen, amuse and influence our development into adults. By exploring their legacy through the lens of reminiscing, we can discern that it surpasses the passage of time and instills within us an enduring admiration for the childhood icons that have become essential parts of our beings.