We may have only recently seen him in mainstream entertainment, but Brent Manalo’s onscreen charisma has already made him a standout among his peers. Following his remarkable “PBB” win in 2025, he has been everywhere—from creating online content and guest hosting on “It’s Showtime” to taking on projects that showcase his acting skills.
Now, as Brent takes his talent further into comedy with the iWant Original microdrama “Half Sisters,” we’re set to discover another side of him. Before his much-anticipated portrayal, let’s look back at his beginnings in showbiz in this Kapamilya Spotlight feature.
Brent first made his mark as a model while balancing his academics. Shortly after graduating from college, he landed a campaign with an international fast-fashion brand, giving his modeling career even greater momentum. From there, he was invited to audition for acting roles and participate in workshops, all while continuing to build his fashion and lifestyle content.
He officially made his acting debut in 2020 through the iWant Originals “hugot” anthology series “Ampalaya Chronicles,” where he portrayed Jeric. He appeared in the pilot episode alongside Khalil Ramos and Elisse Joson. That first project pushed him out of his comfort zone and allowed him to fully immerse himself in his character.
In 2022, Brent joined the cast of the hit drama “The Broken Marriage Vow” as Miguel “Migs” Ilustre, the younger brother of David (Zanjoe Marudo). He served as his brother’s confidant, particularly as David faced financial and marital problems in the latter part of the story.
That same year, he played Jayson Coral in the iWant Original comedy-drama “Beach Bros.” As one of the five core members of the “Baler Boys,” Jayson is a free-spirited character, making Brent a natural fit for the role.
A pivotal moment reshaped Brent’s journey when he joined the historic “Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition.” Dubbed the “Gentle-linong Heartthrob” inside the Bahay Ni Kuya, he gave viewers a deeper glimpse into his life as he opened up about his struggles, aspirations, and determination to grow. He ultimately emerged as the Kapamilya Big Winner, opening the door to even greater opportunities ahead.
His victory soon translated into bigger opportunities. Brent starred as Shawn Dela Fuente in the film adaptation of the Wattpad hit “The Four Bad Boys and Me.” He later became part of the award-winning 2025 MMFF entry “Call Me Mother,” where he portrayed Marco, one of the boarders living with Twinkle (Vice Ganda) and Angelo (Lucas Andalio).
Brent then returned to the teleserye scene in the suspense series “The Secrets of Hotel 88,” alongside his fellow “PBB” alums. He portrayed Gio Cabrera, the unpredictable half-brother of Martin (Ralph de Leon) and Kiko (Will Ashley), adding another memorable character to his growing list of roles.
This time, Brent will unleash his comedic flair in iWant’s newest vertical series, “Half Sisters.” Joining him are Esnyr Ranollo and Bianca de Vera, who play half-siblings Ramon and Emily. The two hilariously discover that they are manananggal, bringing together comedy, spooky twists, and bite-sized storytelling in this unique vertical series.
As the siblings navigate their newfound mythical identity, Brent steps into the role of security guard Pancho, who plays a key part in fueling the rivalry between Ramon and Emily. Things take an unexpected romantic turn when both siblings find themselves falling for him.
In the official trailer, viewers already get a glimpse of Pancho’s dynamic with the siblings, highlighted by Brent’s undeniable chemistry with Bianca and Esnyr. See how Brent dives into the series’ campy, kilig-filled moments as he brings the charming Pancho to life.
“Half Sisters” is now streaming, with all episodes available exclusively on iWant. Viewers can stream all its episodes through iWant subscription plans starting at P35 per month in the Philippines, and USD 4.99 per month in the United States* (*promo price until October 31, 2026) and for the rest of the world.
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Bianca and Esnyr go twinning as manananggal in iWant's new vertical series “Half Sisters”
Brent Manalo’s painfully relatable ‘hugots’ on “It's Showtime”
Brent Manalo and the tracks that jazz up his personal life
Brent Manalo’s zodiac sign, favorite viand and more fun facts you may want to know
How newcomer Brent Manalo prepared for his first acting gig in The Broken Marriage Vow