Filipino-Canadian actor Manny Jacinto is winning many people’s hearts online with his role in the new sci-fi thriller series “The Acolyte”.
Manny, who was first known for his role in 2016 sitcom “The Good Place”, has started to show out more acting chops and arresting onscreen charisma.
Shortly after the release of Disney +’s “Star Wars” show in June, social media users gushed over Manny as “Qimir”.
Watching The Acolyte for the plot pic.twitter.com/f4v3VWAWbB
— Ashley K. (@AshleyKSmalls) July 3, 2024
A Manny fan edit on X (formerly Twitter) reached over 1 million views.
people just finding out manny jacinto is hot…. where have you been pic.twitter.com/eNgVfaLeqE
— a (@vlezvs) June 29, 2024
With the recognition from more and more audience, some social media users claimed early bird spot to the hunk’s fandom.
on the right side of history (always knowing manny jacinto was hot)
— monica (@waystarroyhoe) June 29, 2024
Another X user remembered a time when Manny joined a climate change protest alongside Jane Fonda back in 2019.
question do you remember glasses climate activist manny jacinto https://t.co/SOtXRuhsQ5 pic.twitter.com/8nzhaIlOxO
— regular meghan 나영지 🫧 (@ruemcclammyhand) June 28, 2024
Manny’s impact even reminded an X user of segregation legislations that brewed after the onset of Filipinos’ labor migration to the United States under the U.S. colonial rule.
Manny Jacinto singlehandedly causing the kind of stir Filipino immigrants caused that led to segregation laws being written just for them
He is from the culture https://t.co/dbTz3jHDkV
— ja-shein, great for the short term (@islandbui) June 28, 2024
The X user was referring to the anti-Filipino sentiments that led to anti-intermarriage legislations lobbied in Washington in the 1930s.
This was following a growing concern of Americans on race purity, economic tensions, and sexual resentment—as Filipino men took on mainly white women for wives.
Meanwhile, a Filipino X user also took part in the Manny fandom whirlwind online, but with more focus in his Filipino parents whom he shared “The Acolyte” spotlight with.
May pakain at pa-tarp sila sa bahay sure ‘yan. https://t.co/QwnkXbfjFj
— JEJOMAR BINI 🇵🇸 (@Watdahel_MarceI) June 29, 2024
During an interview with The Philippine Star, Manny shared how grateful he is with his Hollywood acting career and expressed support to other Filipinos in the industry.
“I am seeing or keeping an eye on Filipino directors and Filipino writers all the time and, possibly, hopefully, fingers crossed, getting to collaborate with them, because I can only do so much as an actor, but there’s so much potential,” he said.
All six episodes of “Star Wars: The Acolyte” Season 1 are currently streaming on Disney+ with one new episode every week.
READ: ‘Star Wars’ show ‘Acolyte’ merges murder mystery with family drama
Manny is joined by other cast members Amandla Stenberg, Dafne Keen, Charlie Barnett, Rebecca Henderson, among others.
