Miggs Cuaderno: From Bimby Yap-lookalike to next big actor
Mrs. Judy Chua, mother of Cinemalaya Best Supporting Actor Miggs Cuaderno, vividly remembers how the glitz of the curtain call and the sight of the audience taking photos of the cast lured her then 6-year-old son to try acting.
"'Mommy, gusto ko nang mag-artista kasi ang daming nagpapa-picture.' Maraming tumatawag sa kanya, 'Bimby! Bimby!' ‘Yun lang talaga ang dahilan niya,” she told Yahoo Philippines at GMA Artist Center’s “Bota Para Sa Bata” activity that coincided with the birthdays of four Kapuso child actors, including Miggs who turned 10 on August 8.
Back when he was still playing bit roles in Philippine Educational Theater Association’s (PETA) stage plays “Rated PG” and “Ang Post Office," Miggs was so naive and somehow thankful just being a lookalike of Kris Aquino’s son Bimby.
But that’s no longer the case. Miggs is now 10 years old, with a prestigious acting award and impressive portfolio to boot.
Since 2012, the Kapuso child actor has been a favorite in the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival—having starred in five movies in the last three years.
He was first cast in “Ang Katiwala” in 2012, followed by “Quick Change” and “Purok 7” last year. The just-concluded film fest, however, turned out be the most fruitful for the child star where he starred in “Asintado” and “Children’s Show,” which won him Best Supporting Actor under the New Breed category.
Learning from the expert
Miggs credits his acting wins to director Maryo J. Delos Reyes, who discovered him while he was doing stage plays in PETA.
The veteran filmmaker notable for his prize-winning film (Magnifico) and TV series (Mga Anghel na Walang Langit, Munting Heredera and Nino) about children trained the young actor well. Miggs could attest how tough his director-manager could be, especially during his early years as an actor.
“Sa Munting Heredera po lagi akong nahe-headset… minsan napapagalitan din po. Doon po ako na-train ni Direk Maryo” ('headset' is an acting jargon which refers to an actor’s failure to maintain eye contact).
Life outside showbiz
The young actor either plays Minecraft on his iPad or attends homeschool whenever he’s away from the camera.
Mrs. Chua said the family—her businessman-husband and daughter Julia—are playing support to Miggs’ career. And they would be just as supportive should her son pursue his other dream.
“Kapag tinatanong siya ang lagi niyang sinasabi, ang pinakapangarap niya ay maging presidente. Marami raw siyang babaguhin sa Pilipinas."
