Actress Mariel Pamintuan knew what she wanted to pursue since she was three: a better life for her family. As young as she was back then, it already occurred to her that stardom was the way to reach such dream—and she was determined to do everything.
That time, possibilities seemed endless, Mariel recalled in an exclusive interview with Traffic Digest.
“I started very young. At the age of three, I joined contests and commercials,” she recounted. “I joined Little Darling where I won, and from there, a talent agent invited us to do VTRs for commercials. Soon, we met talent scouts for TV shows and movies and I got cast as young Toni Gonzaga in You Got Me. The director asked me to cry for a scene and although I never had workshops, I was able to perform it.”
Her journey, however, did not stop on her first wins. Little did the young Mariel knew there was a long and winding road ahead of her; a path that would challenge her in ways she never imagined.
Dreams of a child star
Mariel can still recall how her younger self would aim to become a star not only for herself but for the people she loves: her parents who never get tired of sacrificing for the whole family, her mom who used to dream of becoming an actress.
“At seven years old, my mama enrolled me in ABS-CBN workshops where I learned to act better. I joined Star Circle Quest twice but I only reached till top 20. At nine years old, I got my first major role in Volta series as Ms. Ai-Ai’s daughter, Pepper. My mama would always teach me how to deliver my lines and memorize my script. She saw my potential,” she went on.
Eventually, Mariel felt a different kind of connection between her and acting.
“I was a very shy kid but when I’m in front of the camera I magically transform into this sort of alter ego which I enjoyed. I appeared both in ABS-CBN and GMA TV shows, mostly in dramatic roles,” she looked back.
The spotlight and the challenges of teenage life
Not long after, she began to realize what her showbiz career meant to her and that being an actress was not only her mother’s dream—it was also a destiny she wished to fulfill for herself.
But life is not always a bed of roses, and so is the entertainment industry. Growing up in the limelight, Mariel had to deal with so many criticisms that were way too much for her teenage heart to handle.
“Growing up, I was never confident and it didn’t help that I had acne breakouts during my teenage years, which really affected my self-esteem. I always felt like an outcast because I wasn’t as striking and pretty as the other mestizas,” she shared.
“At 13 years old I learned how to apply foundation and I used to put two layers just to cover my pimples. I wore too much makeup for my age. They would always ask me, ‘Anong nangyari sa mukha mo?’ and ‘Ang chubby ng face mo. Ang laki ng pisngi mo sa TV.’ I felt so shy and ugly that it became hard for me to smile and greet everyone. And then they would tell me, ‘Bakit di ka ngumingiti?’, ‘Dapat mas ma-PR ka,'” she continued.
There was also a time when she had to let go of a lead part because of her acne breakouts.
“There was a time I got a lead role and after a few workshops, I was informed I wouldn’t be part of the project anymore because of my acne problem,” she recalled.
Aside from these physical challenges, Mariel also had to endure rough treatment from colleagues.
“There are directors who are tough and make constructive criticism which I understand and take professionally, but there was an instance when I was 16 years old that I encountered a director who would always yell at me and call me stupid in front of colleagues. He even said my eyes weren’t pretty and expressive unlike the other artist,” she narrated
“It was overwhelmingly difficult for me to process and I was so confused because I felt I was not allowed to complain even though it hurts, I thought I can’t honor my feelings. I can’t show weakness kasi baka matanggal ako sa show. Later I developed extreme anxiety, I would always get nervous to a point that I get acid reflux, I would tremble and stiffen which made my job much harder,” she went on.
Almost giving up
After a few more rejections, she decided to stop acting and pursued her studies, convinced that acting was not really for her.
“I love my job but I needed to heal and fix myself. It was bittersweet,” she said.
Leaving the entertainment industry, Mariel regained her confidence, made friends, and started healing.
Yet, she felt something was missing. In her heart, there was always a void that only acting could fill.
“I was scared of the idea of not fulfilling my mother’s dream, which is also my dream. I was determined to come back to showbiz even though I lost all my contacts because I was out for six years. I wanted to prove myself that I’m better than I used to be. I want to reach the best version of myself no matter what it takes,” the former child star stated.
She then used all the pain, hardships, and heartbreaks to prepare herself, heart and soul, for her showbiz comeback.
For herself.
For her family.
For all the people who believed in her.
Finding her way back
In 2022, Mariel, who was already a college graduate, finally found her way back to the place she once called home. That time, her mother had stage 3A breast cancer, compelling her to push even harder and go out of her comfort zone.
“I was so afraid she won’t be able to see me na sumikat so I thought I need to find a way na mapansin ako ng mga tao at ng mga bosses this time. I reinvented myself through Tiktok, I made funny content to distract myself from life’s challenges, and unconsciously learned how to do comedy,” she recounted.
“There were times I got extremely bashed for my Tiktok content because of my vulgar way of delivering my jokes as Filipinos are more conservative and not used to satirical humor. But it didn’t bother me for too long. I’m gonna get bashed anyway whatever I do so might as well do what I want and express myself as long as I do no harm. If I made a mistake I apologize as I value accountability but I learned that if you stay true to yourself and you know who you are, other’s negative perception of you will never define you. Also, if you want to reach greater heights you must be willing to take risks,” she added.
Pursuing her biggest dream…and some other dreams, too
With her mom getting better, Mariel now focuses not only on her showbiz career but on her other skills, as well; which include painting, fondant artistry, as well as other creative skills.
“I have had an entrepreneurial spirit ever since I was young, helping my parents in their canteen business and selling clothes from our boutique to my teachers in high school. I am also artistically inclined, I paint, draw, and write stories, and songs. I started a cake business, Sweet Home Cupcakes, during the pandemic together with my mother and sister and it really helped us a lot. It paid the bills and even renovated our house from one bedroom to four bedrooms,” she shared.
Undying faith
Over two decades since she started her journey toward her dreams, Mariel takes pride in her ability to surpass every challenge without letting go of her unwavering faith in God.
“No matter where God takes me I only pray for guidance, to be aligned to His values in every decision I make. I pray for genuine happiness. I pray for good health physically and mentally for myself and my loved ones,” she expressed.
And while the road ahead could still be a long and winding one, she has no plan to stop.
“Twenty-three years na since I started. My greatest dream is to make a mark in the industry and become one of the greats. I know I still have a long way to go and so much to learn but that is my dream,” she said. “Hindi ako susuko sa pangarap ko kasi ‘di ko kaya kapag ‘di ko nalaman kung ano ang ending kapag hinusayan ko at pinush ko ‘yong sarili ko.”
Just recently, Mariel has been nominated for the 5th VP Choice Awards, under the Breakthrough Social Media Star of the Year category.
Her advice to all the dreamers out there?
“Kapag may gusto ka sa buhay maging matapang ka suungin lahat ng hamon na ibabato sa’yo. Wag ka magpapadaig sa mga sinasabi ng iba o sa mga negatibong emosyon na kung minsan mararanasan mo dahil lilipas din lahat, ang tanging mapanghahawakan mo lang ay ang determinasyon na ‘wag sumuko. Also find the balance between work and leisure to avoid burnout. After all, what’s important is to appreciate our present life and live in gratitude while securing our future,” she said.
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