Former child actress Xyriel Manabat, 16, spoke up on social media comments sexualizing her body.
Xyriel had her big break in the showbiz industry when she starred in ABS-CBN’s television series Agua Bendita, Momay and 100 Days to Heaven.
The young star took a break from acting to focus on her studies. It was only this year when she graduated from high school.
The 16-year-old recently became the talk of social media after she was flooded with inappropriate comments on her Instagram post.
In an interview with ABS-CBN TV writer Darla Sauler, Xyriel addressed netizens’ “below-the-belt” comments about her body.
“Hindi po ako na-fla-flatter sa ibang comments kasi yung iba po below-the-belt and sana alam nila and aware po yung mga tao na sexual harassment is never OK po. Hindi po siya fine,” she said.
She also shared that despite anyone’s age, gender or clothing, sexual harassment should not be tolerated.
“Sana, minor man, girls or boys, ano man age, ano man ang gender, ano man ang suot, sana po walang ganun kasi never po siya nakakatulong lalo na sa ganito, sa pandemic, madami pong pinagdadaanan na mental health na problems, ‘wag na pong sumabay. Respect na lang po,” she explained.
When asked if she asks for her parents’ permission on what to post on social media, Xyriel said her parents are supportive of her posts as long as she’s not hurting anyone.
“Wala naman po silang problema sa mga ipo-post ko as long as yung mga caption, or yung mga sinusuot ko po ay walang ma-ooffend at walang nilalabag, walang natatapakang tao, wala po. At saka lagi ko sila kasama every time nagpipicture ako, sila pa nga nag-aayos ng buhok ko,” she said.
Xyriel also revealed that after her last showbiz stint, she has received offers to work once again in the industry but she’s opting to focus on her studies first.
