# Awra Briguela

Awra Briguela (born March 26, 2004) (Tagalog:), is a Filipino actor and comedian who gained recognition after starring in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano (2016–2019), personally chosen for the role by the show's lead actor Coco Martin. Briguela's life was featured in a titular episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya in 2016. In 2017, Awra was declared champion in the first season of the Filipino version of Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids.

## Career

Briguela started her career off as an internet celebrity. Briguela became known to her parents for impersonating actresses like Sarah Geronimo and Sarah Lahbati. She was discovered by actor Coco Martin, who saw her potential in the primetime television series FPJ's Ang Probinsyano (2016–2019), a remake of the 1997 film of the same title and name. Briguela gained widespread for her role as "MakMak" and the series was produced by Dreamscape Entertainment Television, who created many successful pictures such as Doble Kara, Ina, Kapatid, Anak, and Till I Met You. Briguela starred in the series opposite Coco Martin, Susan Roces, Maja Salvador, Bela Padilla, Albert Martinez, Arjo Atayde, Eddie Garcia, Agot Isidro, Jaime Fabregas, and Simon "Onyok" Pineda, who played the role of Onyok. Briguela won a 3rd Aral Parangal Awards for Best Child Performer, which she won twice, for the primetime series.
Her life was featured in an episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya, playing as herself alongside Aleck Bovick and Janus del Prado who played her mother and father respectively. She made her feature film debut in the Super Parental Guardians (2016) where she portrayed the role of Megan Gaspar alongside fellow Ang Probinsyano actors Coco Martin, Onyok Pineda and Vice Ganda. Briguela later participated as a contestant in Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids (season 1).

## Personal life

Briguela is fond of impersonating Filipina actresses like Sarah Geronimo, Sarah Lahbati, and her idol Maja Salvador, who was one of her co-casts in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano. She popularized her screen name "Awra" upon achieving mainstream recognition as an actor and comedian.
Raised as a boy, her parents said that she has already shown signs of "being gay" since she was three years old for expressing preference for Barbie, Hello Kitty and skirts. However by 2023, she reportedly identifies as a trans woman.
Briguela financially supported her father Oneal Brian's five-year graduate education after having completed college in 2019. Brian earned his Master of Business Administration degree from Philippine Christian University.

### Legal issues

On June 29, 2023, Briguela was arrested for inflicting physical injury following an altercation at a bar in The Bolthole Bar, Poblacion, Makati. According to witnesses and CCTV footage, Awra took exception when a male guest refused to take off his shirt. Awra was later released on July 1 after posting bail.

## Discography
### Singles

| Year | Track | Album | Details | Ref. |
| 2017 | "Clap Clap Clap Awra" | — | Words and Music by: Jonathan Manalo & Roque "Rox" Santos Mixed, Mastered and Arranged by: KIDWolf Vocal Supervision and Produced by: Roque "Rox" Santos Published by: Star Songs | |

## Filmography
### Films

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2023 | Here Comes the Groom | Whitney | Supporting role |
| 2021 | Big Night! | Galema | Supporting role |
| 2019 | Familia Blondina | Mondesto | Main cast |
| 2017 | Ang Panday | Diego | Supporting cast |
| 2016 | The Super Parental Guardians | Melvin "Megan" Nabati | Supporting cast |

### Drama series

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2023 | Comedy Island Philippines | Awra - The Influence | Main role |
| 2022 | "Suntok sa Buwan" | Orange | Supporting cast |
| 2022 | Lyric and Beat | Unique | Main role |
| 2019 | Mga Batang Poz | Chuchay | Main protagonist |
| 2019 | "Past, Present, Perfect?" | Bembem | Main role |
| 2017 | Wansapanatym: Amazing Ving | Ving Cristobal | Season 7, Episodes 364–373, Main protagonist |
| 2016 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Fifty Pesos | Herself | Biographical film, Season 24: Episode 47 |
| 2016–2019 | Ang Probinsyano | Macario "Mak Mak" Samonte, Jr.† | Supporting, recurring role / Protagonist |

### TV shows

| Year | Title | Notes |
| 2023 | Emojination | Herself/Host |
| 2022 | All-Out Sundays | Guest Performer |
| 2020 | Yes Yes Yow! | Host/Performer |
| 2017 | Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids (season 1) | Contestant, Grand Winner |
| 2016 | ASAP | 2016–present, recurring guest and performer |
| 2016–2020 | Gandang Gabi, Vice! | 2016–present, recurring guest |
| 2016 | It's Showtime | 2016–present, recurring guest and performer |

### Online shows

| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| 2021 | Your Face Sounds Familiar: KaFamiliar Online Live | Herself | Substitute host | |

## Accolades

| Year | Award-giving Body | Category | Work | Result |
| 2016 | 30th PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Child Performer | FPJ's Ang Probinsyano | Won |
| 2017 | 3rd Aral Parangal Awards | Best Child Performer | FPJ's Ang Probinsyano | Won |
| 2017 | 3rd Platinum Stallion Media Awards | Best Film Child Actor | The Super Parental Guardians | Won |
| 2017 | 33rd PMPC Star Awards for Movies | New Movie Actor of the Year | The Super Parental Guardians | Nominated |
| 2017 | 33rd PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Child Performer of the Year | The Super Parental Guardians | Nominated |
| 2018 | 3rd Illumine Innovation Awards for Television | Most Innovative TV Child Star | — | Won |