Quick Facts
Biography
Awra Briguela is a Filipino child actor and comedian. He gained recognition when he starred as "MakMak" in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano (2016–present), personally chosen for the role by the show's lead actor Coco Martin. Briguela's life was featured in a titular episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya in 2016. In 2017, He was declared champion in the first season of the Filipino version of Your Face Sounds Familiar: Kids.
Personal life
Briguela has been openly gay as early as the age of three. He is fond of impersonating beautiful Filipina actresses like Sarah Geronimo, Sarah Lahbati, and his idol Maja Salvador, who was one of his co-casts in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano.
He popularized his screen name "Awra" when he became a social media sensation.
Career
2016–present: Career beginnings and Ang Probinsyano
He started his career off as an internet sensation. He was successful, Briguela became known to his parents for impersonating actress such as Sarah Geronimo and Sarah Lahbati. He was discovered by actor, Coco Martin, who personally saw him as a chance in his primetime television series Ang Probinsyano (2016–17), a remake of the 1997 film of the same title and name. Briguela gained widespread for his role as "MakMak" and the series was produced by Dreamscape Entertainment Television, who created many successful pictures such as Doble Kara, Ina, Kapatid, Anak, and Till I Met You. Briguela starred in the series opposite Coco Martin, Susan Roces, Maja Salvador, Bela Padilla, Albert Martinez, Arjo Atayde, Eddie Garcia, Agot Isidro, Jaime Fabregas, and Simon "Onyok" Pineda, who played the role of Onyok. Briguela won a 3rd Aral Parangal Awards for Best Child Performer, which he won twice, for the primetime series.
His life was featured in an episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya and the episode title was "Awra" (2016). Briguela was with Aleck Bovick, who played his mother, and Janus del Prado who played his father, respectively. Briguela also guested in Gandang Gabi, Vice! with Onyok Pineda and Coco Martin. It is predicted that in the future Briguela will become the next Vice Ganda as he shares similar characteristics to the actress in attitude and comedic style.
He made his film debut in the Super Parental Guardians (2016) which he portrayed the role of Megan Gaspar. Among these, Briguela will reunite with his Ang Probinsyano co-stars Coco Martin, Onyok Pineda and Vice Ganda. The film was a success and was an entry in the Metro Manila Film Festival but this was declined shortly after. The film was produced by Star Cinema and the trailer was released on November 21, 2016. He guested on Your Face Sounds Familiar: Kids (2017) as a contestant.
Discography
Singles
| Year | Track | Album | Details | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | "Clap Clap Clap Awra" | N/A |
|
Filmography
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Haunted Mansion | N/A | Cameo role | |
| 2016 | The Super Parental Guardians | Melvin "Megan" Gaspar | Main cast | |
| 2017 | Ang Panday | TBA | Upcoming film, supporting role |
Drama series
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Ang Probinsyano | Macario "Mak Mak" Samonte, Jr. | Supporting, recurring role / Protagonist | |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya: Fifty Pesos | Himself | Biographical film, Season 24: Episode 47 | ||
| 2017 | Wansapanatym: Amazing Ving | Ving Cristobal | Season 7, Episodes 364–present, main protagonist |
TV shows
| Year | Title | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | All-Star Sunday Afternoon Party | 2016–present, recurring guest and performer | |
| 2017 | Your Face Sounds Familiar: Kids | Contestant, Grand Winner |
Accolades
| Year | Award-giving Body | Category | Notable Works | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 30th PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Child Performer | FPJ's Ang Probinsyano | Won | |
| 2017 | 3rd Aral Parangal Awards | Best Child Performer | Won | ||
| 3rd Platinum Stallion Media Awards | Best Film Child Actor | The Super Parental Guardians | Won | ||
| 33rd PMPC Star Awards for Movies | New Movie Actor of the Year | The Super Parental Guardians | Nominated | ||
| Child Performer of the Year | Nominated |