Xyriel Manabat opened up about her decision to step away from show business in 2017 when she was 12 years old.
In an interview with Bianca Gonzalez on the TFC show BRGY, the actress shared that her goal for her hiatus may have sounded simple, but it meant a lot to her.
"Naalala ko po 'yung talagang goal ko po nun, shallow man pakinggan, pero ang sabi ko talaga gusto ko maransan na maging tambay," she shared. "For me po grabe 'yung depth nung gusto ko during that era na gusto ko po gigising ako ang aabangan ko school service. Hindi po ako gigising ng 2 a.m. papuntang ABS-CBN for pull out [for shoot]," she said.
Xyriel explained that her six-year break from acting allowed her to grow and gain wisdom that continues to shape her today. "Feeling ko po lahat ng experience ko during those 6 years [of hiatus], malaki 'yung contribution niya sa wisdom ko ngayon and how I carry myself," she stated.
She also acknowledged the unwavering support she received from ABS-CBN during her hiatus, noting that the network continued to reach out and offer her projects. However, she emphasized that stepping away was ultimately her personal choice.
"Gusto ko lang din po i-acknowledge na grabe pa rin po 'yung pagmamahal sa akin ng network natin kasi po during those 6 years, hindi po sila nag-stop mag-reach out at mag-offer ng show. It's really my decision po talaga to focus on my personal life para maging regular na bata kasi ang mindset ko po noon, okay during that time po feeling ko, okay na ako sa career, kailangan ko habulin 'yung youth ko kasi hindi ko na po 'yun mababalik," she stated.
Xyriel began her acting career in 2009 after joining Star Circle Quest: Search for the Next Kiddie Idol. Her breakthrough came in 2010 when she portrayed the younger versions of Agua and Bendita in the hit series Agua Bendita.
The Kapamilya star officially returned to show business in 2023 through the hit series Dirty Linen. She recalled that she initially had no idea how big the project would be.
"That time nung in-offer po 'yun hindi ko alam na Dirty Linen siya. Ang ibinigay lang sa akin nun, 'Okay ka bang mag-antagonist kay Francine (Diaz)?' Si Francine lang po 'yung alam kong part," she recalled. "Hindi sila nagsabi ng title, hindi sila nasabi ng genre, hindi sila nagsabi kung sino 'yung bida, pagdating ko po sa story [conference] nagulat na lang po ako [sa cast], sunud-sunod po... Sobra po akong na-overwhelm. Tapos nag-fangirl po ako nun," she said.
Describing her comeback project as perfectly timed, Xyriel expressed gratitude to the ABS-CBN management for the trust placed in her. "Timely siya, ang laking blessing and grabe rin po 'yung tiwala na ibinigay sa akin ng ating mga mahal na boss," she said.
This year, Xyriel joined Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition.
She got evicted from the PBB house in May. Following her exit, the actress expressed her gratitude to her supporters.
"Salamat dahil pinag-stay niyo ako ng a little bit longer sa in-expect ko. Kasi to be honest, akala ko talaga one week lang ako tapos mapapaaway na ako, tapos ma-fo-force evict na ako (dahil) sa bunganga ko, pero I stayed for more than a month," she stated in a video posted on Star Magic's Instagram page.
"Thank you, guys. Mahal ko kayo. Sana after niyo 'to mapanood, love niyo pa rin ako. Sana hindi magbago 'yung isip niyo as a supporter," she added.