Yes, Filipino-Canadian Manny Jacinto is in Manila.
Manny, best known for his roles in “The Good Place,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” and “The Acolyte,” among others, returned to his birthplace just days before turning 38 on August 19.
He was all smiles as he met his fans during his first-ever fan meet in the Philippines. The event was held ahead at the SM Mall of Asia on Tuesday, August 5, ahead of the Philippine premiere of “Freakier Friday,” where Manny plays a key role in the new Disney film.
READ: Manny Jacinto to grace red carpet premiere of ‘Freakier Friday’ in Manila
Upon arriving at the venue, Manny appeared in awe of the sea of Filipino fans, whom he warmly greeted and charmed.
“Kumusta po kayo?”
Filipino-Canadian actor Manny Jacinto greets fans at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Tuesday, August 5, ahead of the Philippine premiere of “Freakier Friday.” #FreakierFridayPH @interaksyon @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/ivSeiKaGvi
— Rosette Adel (@rosette_adel) August 5, 2025
“Maraming maraming salamat,” Manny said.
“Sobrang excited to be here… And yeah, this is so much love. It, it really means the world.
Thank you for waiting and, and for, for hopefully getting to watch,” he told the fans who have supported him since Day 1.
‘Like a dream’
Manny shared that returning to Manila to promote his film was “like a dream” for him.
“Honestly, I never would have thought that I’d be, you know, I, I was born here, so like, a local boy that gets to act opposite Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis is, is wild to me,” the actor said.
“I never would have thought, but here we are,” he added.
Manny joins a star-studded cast that includes Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan, Julia Butters, Sophia Hammons, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Rosalind Chao and Chad Michael Murray in the sequel to “Freaky Friday,” “Freakier Friday,” now showing in cinemas.
For the sequel directed by Nisha Ganatra, Manny plays Eric Reyes, the chef-fiancé of Lindsay’s Anna Coleman, whose family faces another unexpected body swap, this time involving the next generation.
The film is based on Mary Rodgers’ 1972 novel, “Freaky Friday.”
The fan event was followed by the Philippine premiere of “Freakier Friday,” which Manny also briefly attended.
When asked how it felt to walk into a room full of people about to watch him on screen, Manny responded, “It’s cool walking into a theater where people look like me.”
Manny brings Filipino representation to “Freakier Friday,” giving Filipinos the chance to see one of their own on the big screen.
The fan event and movie premiere were made possible by Globe Telecom, in partnership with SM Mall of Asia and SM Cinema.
