Awra Briguela

McNeal Briguela (Tagalog pronunciation: [brɪgˈwela], born 26 March 2003), also known by his stage name Awra Briguela, is a Filipino actor and comedian. He gained recognition when he starred in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano (2016–2019), 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 (season 1).[3]

Awra
Born	McNeal Briguela[1] 26 March 2003 Philippines
Nationality	Filipino
Other names	Awra, Aura
Occupation	Actor, comedian, singer, dancer
Years active	2016–present
Agent	PowerCasting Artist Management[2]
Known for	MakMak in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano Megan in The Super Parental Guardians

Personal life

Briguela has been openly gay since childhood,[3] and is fond of impersonating 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" upon achieving mainstream recognition as an actor and comedian.

Career

2016–present: Career beginnings and FPJ's Ang Probinsyano

He started his career off as an internet sensation.[4] 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 FPJ's Ang Probinsyano (2016–2019),[5] 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.[6][7][8] Briguela won a 3rd Aral Parangal Awards for Best Child Performer, which he won twice, for the primetime series.

His life was featured in the eponymous episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya, playing as himself alongside Aleck Bovick and Janus del Prado who played his mother and father respectively. Briguela also guested in Gandang Gabi, Vice! with Onyok Pineda and Coco Martin.

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.[9][10] The film was a success and was an entry in the Metro Manila Film Festival but this was declined shortly after.[11] The film was produced by Star Cinema and the trailer was released on November 21, 2016.[10] He guested on Your Face Sounds Familiar: Kids (season 1) (2017) as a contestant.

Discography

Singles

Year	Track	Album	Details	Ref.
2017	"Clap Clap Clap Awra"	N/A	Words and Music by: Jonathan Manalo & Roque "Rox" Santos Mixed, Mastered and Arranged by: KIDWolf Vocal Supervision and Produced by: Roque "Rox" Santos Published by: Star Songs	[12]

Filmography

Films

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2016	The Super Parental Guardians	Melvin "Megan" Nabati	Main cast	[1][4]
2017	Ang Panday	Diego	Supporting role
2019	Familia Blondina	Mondesto	Main cast

Drama series

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2019	Mga Batang Poz	Chuchay	main protagonist
2016–2019	FPJ's Ang Probinsyano	Macario "Mak Mak" Samonte, Jr.	Supporting, recurring role / Protagonist	[1][4]
2016	Maalaala Mo Kaya: Fifty Pesos	Himself	Biographical film, Season 24: Episode 47	[4]
2017	Wansapanatym: Amazing Ving	Ving Cristobal	Season 7, Episodes 364–present, main protagonist

TV shows

Year	Title	Notes	Ref.
2016	ASAP	2016–present, recurring guest and performer
2017	Your Face Sounds Familiar: Kids (season 1)	Contestant, Grand Winner	[1][4][13]
2020	Yes Yes Yow!	Host/Performer

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	[4]
2017	3rd Aral Parangal Awards	Best Child Performer		Won	[4][13]
	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	[14]
		Child Performer of the Year		Nominated	[14]
2018	3rd Illumine Innovation Awards for Television	Most Innovative TV Child Star		Won

See also

• Onyok Pineda
• Coco Martin
• Vice Ganda

References

1. Get to know Awra Briguela, the ‘breakout child star’ of his generation. CNN Philippines. Published on 2017-05-05. Retrieved 2017-08-06.
2. Paglaki ng ulo ni Awra, pinalagan ng mga managers (in Tagalog). News Ko. Published on 2017-04-16. Retrieved 2017-08-06.
3. ‘Awra’ knew he was gay at age 3 | Inquirer Entertainment. Entertainment.inquirer.net. Retrieved on 2017-06-21.
4. The Amazing Showbiz Journey of Breakout Child Star Awra Briguela. ABS-CBN Entertainment. Published on 2017-07-21. Retrieved 2017-08-06.
5. Buan-Deveza, Reyma (May 18, 2015). "Coco to star in TV remake of FPJ's 'Ang Probinsiyano'". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
6. "'Ang Probinsyano' ni Coco tatagal pa hanggang 2017 – Bandera" (in Filipino). Bandera. 22 August 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
7. "Coco Martin, ginawaran ng special citation sa 63rd CIDG Founding Anniversary" [Coco Martin, conferred with a special citation at the 63rd CIDG Founding Anniversary] (in Filipino). ABS-CBN. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
8. "Record-breaking rating of 'FPJ's Ang Probinsyano'". The Standard Showbitz. 13 February 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
9. Escuadro, Kiko (7 November 2016). "Vice Ganda shares more about his new movie "Super Parental Guidance"". Push (in Filipino). Archived from the original on 11 November 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
10. "Coco Martin, Vice Ganda team up in 'The Super Parental Guardians'". Rappler. 20 November 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
11. "Coco, Vice sport new looks for upcoming movie". ABS-CBN News. 14 September 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
12. Awra Briguela - Clap Clap Clap Awra (Official Lyric Video). Star Music on YouTube.
13. Awra wins big on ‘Your Face Sounds Familiar – Kids’. Manila Bulletin. Published on 2017-04-10. Retrieved 2017-08-06.
14. PMPC names nominees for 33rd Star Awards for movies. inquirer.net. Published on 2017-07-18. Retrieved 2017-08-06.

External links

• Awra Briguela at IMDb