Munti no more: “Munting Heredera” star Barbara Miguel is now a pretty 13-year-old

Back in 2011, “Munting Heredera” was a GMA-7 drama series that told a story of a rich old woman looking for her rightful heiress, an heredera, amongst the three children claiming to be her granddaughter. Of the three, child star Barbara Miguel played the role of Calila.

According to PEP report, Barbara was barely eight years old when she started out in showbiz. But after doing regular shows and racking up awards for her outstanding performance as a child actress, Barbara bowed out of the bright lights and focused more on her studies.

“Nagpahinga po muna ako sa showbiz para makapag-concentrate ako sa studies ko,” the 13-year-old explained to PEP during an interview.

“Nasa awkward stage na kasi ako ngayon. Hindi nila alam ang puwede nilang ibigay na roles sa akin. Kaya naging way po iyon para makapag-aral po ako ng maayos,” she said. Now taller and more lady-like but still beautiful, Barbara is currently a first year high school student at Victory Christian International School.

“Pero next year po, gusto ko na pong bumalik sa pag-arte. Na-miss ko na rin po ang umarte kasi,” she happily shared.

After her last regular appearance in 2012, Barbara only played bit roles in a couple of Kapuso series, such as “Genesis”, “Carmela”, “Niño“, “Pari Koy“, “Encantadia“, “Destined To Be Yours”, and recently, “Super Ma’am”.

She clarified that it was her choice to do guestings since she prioritizes her studies, but it looked like she just couldn’t shake off her yearning for showbiz.

“More on guestings lang po ako ngayon kasi mas priority ko po ang pag-aaral. Pero may sinabi na po sa akin sa Direk Maryo [delos Reyes, her manager] na isasama niya ako sa isang teleserye,” she recalled. “Okey lang po kasi na-miss ko na rin ang acting.”

Despite her semi-hiatus, the former child star didn’t forget to hone her acting skills.

“Patuloy naman po ang pag-aral ko sa pag-arte. Nagwu-workshop pa rin po ako at panay panood ko ng mga movies at TV drama,” she added.

And what does she often watch?

“Madalas po mga K-pop drama! Adik po ako sa mga iyon!” Barbara quipped.

The lovely teener also recounted how she kept in touch with her “Munting Heredera” castmates, thanks to social media.

“Sa social media na lang po kami nagkukumustahan. Si Miggs po, pareho kami ng manager. Malaki na po siya. He’s also 13 years old na. Si Mona Louise po, tumangkad na rin siya. Madalas kaming mag-usap sa text or Viber. Pinakamatangkad po sa akin si Kyle. Minsan po nagkakausap din kami,” checking off her batch mates on the show.

Barbara also hoped that there will be a reunion of sorts for the drama series, saying, “Sana nga po magkaroon kami ng reunion with Tita Gloria Romero.”

“Para makita ng mga nanood noon ng Munting Heredera ang mga hitsura namin ngayon,” the pretty lass added.

Indeed, it’s such a treat to see how Barbara is growing up to become a fine, young lady.