"Awra" redirects here. For other uses, see Awra (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Aura.
Awra Briguela
Birth dateMarch 26, 2004 (age 22)[1]
Birth placeLas Piñas, Metro Manila, Philippines
OccupationActress · comedian · singer · dancer
Years active2016–present
AgentPowerCasting Artist Management[2]
Star Magic (2016–present)
Known for

Awra Briguela (born March 26, 2004) (ˈaʊɾa brɪˈgela), is a Filipino actress and comedian who gained recognition after starring 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, Awra was declared champion in the first season of the Filipino version of Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids.[3]

Early life and education

Awra Briguela was born on March 26, 2004.[4] She is the daughter of Marivic Briguela and Oneal Brian Briguela.[3]

She studied junior high school at Las Piñas National High School Almanza in 2016.[3][5] She was moved to Manila at Uno High School.[6] She finished junior high school in 2020.[7] She studied senior high school under Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) strand at University of the East Manila from 2024 to her graduation in 2025.[8][9][10] She studied psychology degree in the same school.[11]

Career

Briguela started her career off as an internet celebrity.[12] Briguela became known to her parents for impersonating actresses like Sarah Geronimo and Sarah Lahbati. She was discovered by actor Coco Martin, who saw her potential in the primetime television series FPJ's Ang Probinsyano (2016–2019),[13] a remake of the 1997 film of the same title and name. Briguela gained widespread for her 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.[14][15][16] Briguela won a 3rd Aral Parangal Awards for Best Child Performer, which she won twice, for the primetime series.

Her life was featured in an episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya, playing as herself alongside Aleck Bovick and Janus del Prado who played her mother and father respectively. She made her feature film debut in the Super Parental Guardians (2016) where she portrayed the role of Megan Gaspar alongside fellow Ang Probinsyano actors Coco Martin, Onyok Pineda and Vice Ganda.[17][18][19] Briguela later participated as a contestant in Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids (season 1).[20]

Personal life

Briguela is fond of impersonating Filipina actresses like Sarah Geronimo, Sarah Lahbati, and her idol Maja Salvador, who was one of her co-casts in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano. She popularized her screen name "Awra" upon achieving mainstream recognition as an actor and comedian.

Raised as a boy, her parents said that she has already shown signs of "being gay" since she was three years old for expressing preference for Barbie, Hello Kitty and skirts.[3] However, by 2023, she had come out as a trans woman.[21] She chose not to get hormone replace therapy or take pills remarking how she prefers the ability to "freely express both her masculine and feminine side"[22]

Briguela financially supported her father Oneal Brian Briguela's graduate education after having completed college in 2019. Briguela earned her Master of Business Administration degree from Philippine Christian University in 2024.[23][24]

In 2025, Briguela was the subject of online misgendering when several people left comments on her Instagram posts referring to her as "sir" and comparing her to basketball player Bronny James.[25] After her senior high school graduation in July 2025, content creator and disability advocate Jack Argota quipped that media coverage referred to Briguela with she/her pronouns, prompting Argota to call Briguela a "bro" in a Facebook post. In response, an admin of Briguela's Facebook page criticized Argota by referring to her as "the real trans" due to her cleft palate.[26]

Bar altercation

On June 29, 2023, Briguela was arrested for inflicting physical injury following an altercation at The Bolthole Bar in Poblacion, Makati. According to witnesses and CCTV footage, Awra took exception when a male guest refused to take off her shirt.[27][28] Awra was later released on July 1 after posting bail.[29]

Discography

Singles

YearTrackAlbumDetailsRef.
2017"Clap Clap Clap Awra"

*Words and Music by: Jonathan Manalo & Roque "Rox" Santos

[30]

Filmography

Films

YearTitleRoleNoteRef.
2025Mudrasta: Ang Beking Ina!Young Melancio AntonioSupporting role
2023Here Comes the GroomWhitneySupporting role, Official 1st Summer Metro Manila Film Festival Entry[31]
2021Big Night!GalemaSupporting role, Official 47th Metro Manila Film Festival
2020James & Pat & DaveSusano "Sasha" ReyesSupporting role
2019Familia BlondinaMondesto Periquit
2017Ang PandayDiegoSupporting role, Official 43rd Metro Manila Film Festival Entry
2016The Super Parental GuardiansMelvin "Megan" NabatiFirst in a child star supporting role[32][12]

Drama series

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2023Comedy Island PhilippinesAwra - The InfluenceMain role
2022Suntok sa BuwanOrangeSupporting cast
2022Lyric and BeatUniqueMain role[33]
2019Mga Batang PozChuchayMain protagonist
2019"Past, Present, Perfect?"BembemMain role
2017Wansapanataym: Amazing VingVing CristobalSeason 7, Episodes 364–373, Main protagonist
2016Maalaala Mo Kaya: Fifty PesosHerselfBiographical film, Season 24: Episode 47[12]
2016–2019Ang ProbinsyanoMacario "Mak Mak" Samonte Jr.Supporting, recurring role / Protagonist[32][12]

TV shows

YearTitleNotesRef.
2026Your Face Sounds Familiar (season 4)Round 10 Guest Performer as Jennifer Lopez
2023EmojinationHerself/Host
2022All-Out SundaysGuest Performer
2020Yes Yes Yow!Host/Performer
2017Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids (season 1)Contestant, Grand Winner[32][12][34]
2016ASAP2016–present, recurring guest and performer
2016–2020Gandang Gabi, Vice!Recurring Guest
2016It's Showtime2016–present, recurring guest and performer

Online shows

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2021Your Face Sounds Familiar: KaFamiliar Online LiveHerselfSubstitute host

Accolades

YearAward-giving BodyCategoryWorkResultRef.
201630th PMPC Star Awards for TelevisionBest Child PerformerFPJ's Ang Probinsyano[12]
20173rd Aral Parangal AwardsBest Child Performer[12][34]
3rd Platinum Stallion Media AwardsBest Film Child ActorThe Super Parental Guardians
33rd PMPC Star Awards for MoviesNew Movie Actor of the YearThe Super Parental Guardians[35]
Child Performer of the Year[35]
20183rd Illumine Innovation Awards for TelevisionMost Innovative TV Child Star—

References

  1. ^ "Awra Briguela turns 18 with photo shoot, celebration". Push. ABS-CBN. March 29, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  2. ^ Paglaki ng ulo ni Awra, pinalagan ng mga managers Archived August 6, 2017 at the Wayback Machine (in Tagalog). News Ko. Published on April 16, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  3. ^ "'Awra' knew he was gay at age 3". Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 10, 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  4. ^ De Leon, Richard (March 31, 2025). "Awra Briguela sa yate nag-birthday party, umani ng reaksiyon". Balita. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  5. ^ Llanes, Jonathan; Catajan, Maria Elena; Alimondo, Lauren (July 15, 2016). "Basil: Ang success sa Ang Probinsyano". SunStar. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  6. ^ "Sweet victory! Awra Briguela recounts struggles, congratulates self in graduation message". ABS-CBN. July 5, 2020. Archived June 29, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  7. ^ Santiago, Ervin (July 6, 2020). "Awra: Sobrang dami kong hirap na pinagdaanan…pero kinaya ko!". Inquirer Bandera. Archived June 29, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  8. ^ Bravo, Frances Karmel S. (October 21, 2024). "Awra Briguela embraces her senior-high schoolgirl era". PEP. Archived June 29, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  9. ^ Kang, Kristine (July 15, 2025). "Awra Briguela completes senior high school: Pinili kong lumaban". GMA Network. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  10. ^ Mallorca, Hannah (July 15, 2025). "Awra Briguela graduates from UE senior high school". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived July 16, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  11. ^ Acierto, Drew (November 3, 2025). "Awra Briguela explains why she's taking up Psychology in college". ABS-CBN Corporation. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  12. ^ The Amazing Showbiz Journey of Breakout Child Star Awra Briguela Archived August 6, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. ABS-CBN Entertainment. Published on July 21, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  13. ^ Buan-Deveza, Reyma (May 18, 2015). "Coco to star in TV remake of FPJ's 'Ang Probinsiyano'". ABS-CBN News. Archived May 22, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  14. ^ "'Ang Probinsyano' ni Coco tatagal pa hanggang 2017 – Bandera" (in Filipino). Bandera. August 22, 2016. Archived January 13, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  15. ^ "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. January 20, 2016. Archived from the original on January 25, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  16. ^ "Record-breaking rating of 'FPJ's Ang Probinsyano'". The Standard Showbitz. February 13, 2016. Archived from the original on March 20, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  17. ^ Escuadro, Kiko (November 7, 2016). "Vice Ganda shares more about his new movie "Super Parental Guidance"" (in Filipino). Push. Archived from the original on November 11, 2016. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
  18. ^ "Coco Martin, Vice Ganda team up in 'The Super Parental Guardians'". Rappler. November 20, 2016. Archived November 23, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
  19. ^ "Coco, Vice sport new looks for upcoming movie". ABS-CBN News. September 14, 2016. Archived October 5, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
  20. ^ "Meet the 8 cuties of 'Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids'". ABS-CBN News. January 7, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  21. ^ "Gender group slams Makati police chief". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 2 July 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  22. ^ Ranara, John Patrick Magno (2 May 2024). "Awra Briguela on why she doesn't take hormone treatment: 'I love both my masculine and feminine side'". Philstar Life. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  23. ^ Purnell, Kristofer (March 14, 2024). "Awra Briguela celebrates father finishing MBA, 5 years after graduating college". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  24. ^ Ramos, Kayla (March 14, 2024). "Awra Briguela's Father Oneal Brian Earns Master's Degree". When In Manila. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  25. ^ Serato, Arniel (February 28, 2025). "Awra Briguela calls out netizen for "Bronny James" comments". PEP.ph. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  26. ^ Serato, Arniel (July 15, 2025). "Awra Briguela calls out netizen for "Bronny James" comments". PEP.ph. Archived July 16, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  27. ^ Batallones, Jeck (June 29, 2023). "Awra Briguela arestado matapos masangkot sa kaguluhan sa Makati" (in Filipino). ABS-CBN. Archived June 29, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  28. ^ "Awra Briguela: The events leading to her arrest and legal woes". Archived July 9, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  29. ^ Cerezo, Anna (July 1, 2023). "Awra Briguela nakalabas na ng kulungan" (in Filipino). ABS-CBN. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  30. ^ Awra Briguela - Clap Clap Clap Awra (Official Lyric Video) Archived May 2, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Star Music on YouTube.
  31. ^ Villano, Alexa (February 27, 2023). "MMFF Announces 8 Films for the Summer Film Festival". Modern Parenting. One Mega Group Inc. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  32. ^ "Get to know Awra Briguela, the 'breakout child star' of his generation". CNN Philippines. May 5, 2017. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  33. ^ "WATCH: Full trailer of 'Lyric and Beat' launched; trends on Twitter". ABS-CBN News. July 13, 2022. Archived July 14, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  34. ^ Awra wins big on ‘Your Face Sounds Familiar – Kids’ Archived October 12, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Manila Bulletin. Published on April 10, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  35. ^ PMPC names nominees for 33rd Star Awards for movies Archived May 28, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. inquirer.net. Published on July 18, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.