Our Childhood Icons: Tracing the Influence of Phenomenal Filipinos
BY EDWYNNE LUCY GUARIN | NOVEMBER 28, 2023
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.
Let’s go back in time and look at some notable Filipino personalities who shaped us into the people we are today. As we refresh our memories of how these people influenced our childhood selves, let’s also recall how they made our hearts beat due to excitement and made us feel validated during the peak of our innocence. Do you still remember them?
HaveYouSeenThisGirL
“Wala nang bawian mamatay man, period, no erase… 🎶”
If you remember how we religiously listened to and memorized Perfect Two by Auburn, Porque by Maldita, or even had an LSS with No Erase by JaDine 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!
Raised in Laguna, novelist Denny, a.k.a. HaveYouSeenThisGirL, peaked success on Wattpad, an online story platform that enables authors to publish stories with a sizable readership.
As her stories definitely resonate with her readers, she has garnered substantial followers on the platform—making her one of the first rising Filipino authors in the industry. She is renowned for her relatable writing style, which was showcased in her most famous stories, such as Voiceless, That Girl, 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 that we need.
Kuya Tonipet & Ate Pia
Saturday mornings are never complete without hearing this cheerful and gleeful opening song, bahaghari na kay ganda ay sumusunod sa kanya 🎶. 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.”
But what is so special about it that children from our generation wanted this show to be part of our Saturday mornings? It's truly a classic memory of ours to respond to Ate Pia's famous “kumusta?” in the show's introductory part, even though we know she can't hear us.
Aside from that, Kuya Tonipet and Ate Pia’s pleasing and immersing showcase of their best-known artworks—such as recycled art projects, miniature gardens, and clay handicrafts—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 an iconic light brown hat and whose voice is instantly recognizable even from across the room? In the Philippines, Kim Atienza or Kuya Kim is well-known due to his label as “Trivia King,” performing daring and often dangerous stunts for the sake of knowledge.
Whenever Matanglawin shows up on TV, we, as children, can’t help but glue our senses as Kuya Kim speaks with his energetic and engaging cinematic persona.
As nurturing kids of the past, his program was one of the most accessible outlets of information. His ability to relate to viewers of all ages and walks of life is a major factor in the success of the show. His longtime involvement with Matanglawin has helped maintain the show's high quality and popularity.
Viewers tend to feel more connected to these programs when a TV personality has hosted them for a long time. Thus, despite having achieved adulthood and embarking on our respective professional jobs, there are still random instances when his iconic trivia resurfaces in our thoughts.
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 distinctive traits.
“Sige na, Freak! Magkunwari ka na!”
Remember this sassy line from Agua Bendita that resurfaced on Tiktok these past months? This bold little girl with a high-pitched voice was Kathryn Bernardo all along! She made her directorial debut in the 2006 television series “Super Inggo,” in which she portrayed the protagonist's romantic interest, Maya.
Back then, it was a trend for young girls to imitate her snobbish and kikay acting. Following her success in the TV industry, she expanded her career into the field of cinema. Without a doubt, the box office queen's starring role in the teen drama series “Growing Up” made us love her even more due to her charming personality. Until then, she had grown a surge in popularity and never had a dull moment in show business.
“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 and later hosting a few shows for Disney Channel Asia.
In April 2014, the film Diary ng Panget was released and she portrayed the main character, Reah “Eya” Rodriguez, based on the best-selling novel of the same name, which Viva Films then produced as a film adaptation.
Following her more-than-a-decade showbiz career, she appeared in numerous films. She was later named Starmometer's “Most Beautiful Woman in the Philippines” in 2016 and remains one of the early 2010’s greatest actresses.
Both Kathryn and Nadine’s knack for effectively embodying various personas and engaging real-life personalities enabled them to resonate with us—even us kids, back in the day. These icons left an enduring impact on our childhood, inspiring us not only in the realm of fashion but also in the pursuit of our aspirations.
By remembering Filipino superstars from the early 2000s to the early 2010s, we realize that certain influential figures have not only made a lasting impact on the industry but have also accompanied us on our own personal journeys throughout time.
These icons, from the mag pages to the silver screen, provide amusement and significantly influence our development into adults. By exploring their legacy through the lens of reminiscing, we are able to 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.
