Xyriel Manabat traumatized by comments on her `grown-up’ looks

The last memory most people had of Xyriel Manabat before she made a hiatus from showbiz was that of a perky child actor in TV series like "Agua Bendita," "Rubi", "Noah," and "100 Days To Heaven."

So it's not surprising that the same people who admired her talent back then would react differently upon seeing her now that she's all grown up.

But there are limitations to how these amused netizens should comment online. Especially with regard to her looks.

The 19-year-old star of "Dirty Linen" admitted she underwent mental struggle after encountering these lewd, profanity-laden comments on her pictures.

"Binabastos, ino-objectify, sine-sexual assault in a way." she said. "Ginagamit nila yung picture ko. Tapos ie-edit nila na parang nakahawak sila sa private part ko, ganon."

Manabat was recalling those experiences during a YouTube vlog of Star Magic last 28 April.

She said netizens singled out the one she posted in 2020 where she was wearing an undersized white t-shirt. Manabat was only 16 back then.

It elicited comments like: "Bold star, sobrang laki ng boobs, kamanyak-manyak."

"And minsan yung mga comment dun parang bina-validate na, 'E, kasi ganyan naman ang suot, e.' E, dyina-justify na, 'E, kamanyak-manyak naman kasi talaga, e,'" Manabat said of the comments.

Manabat said she had since learned to let those comments slide. But not without undergoing therapy. Her family also sought legal advice regarding cyberbullying and took legal action against it.