MANILA — Her monologue on the classic "inay, ang pansit" helped Xyriel Manabat get her role on the drama series "Agua Bendita" which catapulted her career in the entertainment industry.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News' digital show "On Cue," Manabat credited her mother for supporting her dreams and helping her during auditions.

"Mahilig po talaga akong manggaya, mag-imitate ng mga napapanood kong commercial, mga nakikita ko pong mga scenes, mga clips, nakikita nina Mama na ginagaya ko po 'yung sinasabi nung sa TV," the actress said.

"Sila rin po 'yung nagpa-practice sa 'kin 'pag may piece ako. Halimbawa po may audition, mayroon akong sasalihan na kiddie contest, sila 'yung magpa-practice sa akin ng piece ko," she added.

"Sumali rin po ako sa SCQ (Star Circle Quest), pinilahan ko rin po 'yun nang sobra-sobrang haba ... ka-batch ko po si Bugoy (Cariño) nun, siya po 'yung grand winner namin. Tapos nag-start po ako, likod lang makikita, buhok lang makikita, katabi lang nung artista, takbo lang, paa lang," she recalled. 

That changed when she landed the role as the young Andi Eigenmann in "Agua Bendita."

"Naalala ko po nun, parang hinabol pa po ako parang tapos na po yata eh ...pang-ilan na po ako nun, ta's wala nang araw. Ta's may bag po ako, 'yun 'yung pinaano sa 'kin na 'kunwari mama mo 'yan, mamamatay 'yung nanay mo'," she said of her audition.

"Usong-uso pa po nun 'yung drama 'inay, inay 'yung pansit' usong-uso po 'yun noon sa mga talent search ... Laging 'yun 'yung entry ko po. Ta's 'yun 'yung pinang-audition ko po sa 'Agua Bendita.' 

"Nagka-conflict pa po 'yun kasi mayroon po akong in-audition-an na commercial tapos tumawag sila, same day 'yung first day ng 'Agua Bendita' taping at saka 'yung commercial. So hindi namin alam 'yung pipiliin and siguro blessing in disguise na ni-reject namin 'yung commercial. Doon kami sa 'Agua Bendita,'" she said.

She was also glad that her stint on the show was extended.

"Dapat po talaga saglit lang po 'yun hanggang sa natuwa po 'yung mga tao, humaba po 'yung exposure ko," she said. 

Manabat, later on, got more projects like "Momay," "Noah," and "100 Days To Heaven," which become a huge hit among TV viewers.