Former child actress and PBB housemate Xyriel Manabat got emotional about her first-ever lead role in Netflix’s “18th Rose,” alongside Kyle Echarri and directed by Dolly Dulu.
“This is her debut film as a lead actress,” Dulu revealed during the first-ever Next on Netflix Event in BGC last February 9, 2026.
Xyriel couldn’t control her emotions as she took on the project as the lead star, more than a decade after starting her career as a child actress.
“I still remember how it was brought to me. I can remember how much I cried and how much I prayed because it’s not just a dream come true, it’s an answered prayer,” she noted.
When asked how she connected to her character “Rose,” Xyriel said, “It was naturally effortless. I believed her story. I fell in love with Rose. I believed Rose.”
Dulu shared her excitement as she noted the unexpected chemistry of Xyriel and Kyle in the film.
“They’re an unlikely pair. People wouldn’t really think about pairing Xyril and Kyle,” she said.
“18th Rose” is a modern romance film capturing the magic of first love. It was filmed in Romblon and will be available on Netflix on April 9, 2026.
Xyriel entered the entertainment industry at a very young age. She is known for her roles in TV series “Agua Bendita” (2010), “Momay” (2010), and “100 Days to Heaven (2011).”
After her 6-year hiatus from showbiz, she joined the Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition in 2025.
