''Growing Up'' was a Philippine

teen drama In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super-g ...

series aired on

ABS-CBN ABS-CBN (an initialism of its two predecessors' names, Alto Broadcasting System and Chronicle Broadcasting Network) is a Television in the Philippines, Philippine Commercial broadcasting, commercial broadcast broadcast network, network tha ...

from September 4, 2011 to February 12, 2012 replacing '' Good Vibes''. It is top billed by

Mara Clara ''Mara Clara'' is a Philippine drama television series on ABS-CBN, which aired from August 17, 1992 to February 14, 1997, replacing ''Sebya, Mahal Kita'' and was replaced by ''Esperanza''. The series stars Judy Ann Santos and Gladys Reyes. It w ...

stars

Kathryn Bernardo Kathryn Chandria Manuel Bernardo (; born March 26, 1996) is a Filipino actress and singer. Dubbed as “''Asia's Superstar”'' by various media outlets, People Asia hailed Bernardo as the Box Office Queen of her generation for being the onl ...

Julia Montes Mara Hautea Schnittka (; born March 19, 1995), known professionally as Julia Montes (), is a Filipino-German actress and model. She is one of the most sought-after actresses in the country and has been hailed as the “''Royal Princess of Dram ...

Diego Loyzaga Carlos Diego Loyzaga Manhilot (born May 21, 1995) is a Filipino model, actor and video jockey. He is known as one of the members of the male group ''Kapamilya'' Cuties.Kiray Celis Johanna Ismael Celis (born July 29, 1995), better known as Kiray, is a Filipino actress, comedian and the founder of Chicks and Fins. Career Acting Kiray was first discovered when she joined a contest called ''Muntíng Miss U'' of '' Magandang ...

and

EJ Jallorina EJ may refer to: Businesses and brands * EJ (company), formerly East Jordan Iron Works * eJay, a music software program * New England Airlines (IATA code EJ) * E & J Gallo Winery * Holden EJ, an early Holden car * Subaru EJ engine series, manufac ...

with other teen casts

Daniel Padilla Daniel John Elago Ford (born April 26, 1995), better known by his screen name Daniel Padilla (), is a Filipino actor and recording artist. Padilla made his television debut with a supporting role in the soap opera ''Gimik 2010'' (2010), befor ...

of ''

Gimik 2010 ''Gimik 2010'' is a Philippine television series on ABS-CBN as part of Your Song weekly series. It is a reintroduction of the 1990s series ''Gimik''. Cast and characters Main cast (Season 1: The Reunion) *Judy Ann Santos as Dianne Villaruel ...

'',

Neil Coleta Mark Neilson Mañosca Coleta (born August 4, 1991), popularly known as Neil Coleta, is a Filipino actor and TV host. He appeared in the TV series Growing Up and 100 Days to Heaven. Personal life Coleta graduated from Adamson University. In ...

of '' 100 Days to Heaven'', and

Yen Santos Lilieyen Santos (born November 20, 1992), better known as Yen Santos, is a Filipina actress. She debuted on the reality show '' Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Clash 2010'', and gained mainstream recognition in '' Pure Love'', a Philippine drama adaptatio ...

of '' Good Vibes''. The series is streaming online on

YouTube YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...

Synopsis

Ella (

) and Tammy (

) are childhood best friends who belong to a set of friends that treat each other as family. As such, they have a mother figure in the person of their favorite teacher, Lisa Ortega (

Maricar Reyes Maricar Reyes-Poon (born Maricar Concepcion Pozon Reyes; June 20, 1981), is a Filipino actress. Early life Reyes was born in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. She graduated high school from St. Bridget's School in Quezon City. She finished he ...

), who guides their path in their fragile journey as teenagers. When Ms. Ortega is diagnosed with cancer, Ella and Tammy rally their friends to raise funds for their beloved teacher's expensive medical treatment. They join various contests in a big event in their community, aiming to seize the biggest prizes. But doing so proves to be no easy task, as each of them discover their respective strengths and weaknesses that challenge the way they think, dream, and love, and in so doing become obstacles to their objective. In the end, they manage to reap the reward they worked for, only to find out that it is better than they hoped for.

Cast and characters

Main cast

as Mikaella "Ella" Dimalanta – A 15-year-old middle class student of a modest private school in San Martin, Zambales. She lives with a single mother whom she encourages to stay single to avoid suffering another heartbreak. Her mom's experiences has made her distrustful of men, but her belief is tested when she falls in love with Patrick Rivero, a show-off and rude classmate. *

as Samantha "Tammy" Magtoto – A sweet and hopelessly romantic girl, she is Ella's best friend and classmate in San Martin. They became closer since Tammy's single father is working overseas, entrusting his daughter to Ella's watch. Unlike Ella, Tammy wears her heart on her sleeves, and eventually experiences heartbreak over a young man, Jason Rivero, who has unfinished business with another girl. *

as Peter Romnick "Patrick" Rivero – The younger brother of Jason. He really gets upset when he is always compared by his father to his older brother Jason. He is picking on Ella that made her always mad at him and sometimes say unkind words to him. But truthfully, he likes Ella from the very start ever since he switched schools. He joined their group because of her. Patrick is also kind and caring especially when it comes to his friends and Ella. *

as Christian Mico "Tikoy" Navarro – A repeater who attends the same school as Ella, Tammy and Patrick. He has lived in the house of his stern aunt after his single mom went abroad and seemed to have abandoned him. He may look jolly and funny, but deep inside he is yearning for love. He soon finds one, Cassie, but at the expense of discovering an ugly truth. *

Kiray Celis Johanna Ismael Celis (born July 29, 1995), better known as Kiray, is a Filipino actress, comedian and the founder of Chicks and Fins. Career Acting Kiray was first discovered when she joined a contest called ''Muntíng Miss U'' of '' Magandang ...

as Brigette Honey "Britney" Gunay – Schoolmate of Ella, Tammy, Patrick and Tikoy. Her parents are lower-class workers and she has many younger siblings. She may have a homely face, but among Ella and Tammy, she is the only one with a boyfriend. Funny, loyal, and frank, she soon finds out something about her boyfriend that will challenge the way she loves. *

as William Kingston "Winston" del Rosario – Schoolmate of Ella and company. He loves the arts and often taunted as a geek. He has a long-time relationship with Britney, an experience that eventually leads him to confront his identity after being endeared to another person. *

Diego Loyzaga Carlos Diego Loyzaga Manhilot (born May 21, 1995) is a Filipino model, actor and video jockey. He is known as one of the members of the male group ''Kapamilya'' Cuties.Yen Santos Lilieyen Santos (born November 20, 1992), better known as Yen Santos, is a Filipina actress. She debuted on the reality show '' Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Clash 2010'', and gained mainstream recognition in '' Pure Love'', a Philippine drama adaptatio ...

as Cassandra "Cassie" Montenegro – Cassie is a cloistered daughter who has a transparent relationship with her parents. She is highly idealistic about the concept of love and finding the right man. When she does realize that her long-time suitor, Jason Rivero, is the one for her, she pursues him, but finds out that some things will not follow the way she wants them to be.

Supporting cast

as Lisa Ortega – Ms. Ortega is the adviser of the group and coach of the San Martin Sun Spikers Volleyball team. She is the one training them and acts like an elder sister or second mother to the group. The group realizes that she has breast cancer and looks for a way to help her. * Ron Morales as James Reyes * Angel Jacob as Isabelle Dimalanta * Jeffrey Santos as Henry *

Jenny Miller Jenny Miller (born February 5, 1980) is a Filipino actress. She is known on her role as Beverly Castro in the TV remake of the 1989 film '' Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita'' that aired on GMA Network in 2008 and she is currently a freelance artist ...

as Stella * Gerald Madrid as John * Tess Antonio as Mrs. Gunay * Roden Araneta as Mr. Gunay * Jong Cuenco as Mr. del Rosario * Piero Vergara as Richard *

Tippy Dos Santos Stephanie Denise "Tippy" Dos Santos-Porcuna (born August 16, 1994) is a Filipino American singer and actress. She first appeared on '' Ruffa & Ai'' in 2009. Dos Santos is a member of ABS-CBN's circle of homegrown talents named Star Magic. In J ...

as Michelle *

Jovit Baldivino Jovit Lasin Baldivino (October 16, 1993 – December 9, 2022) was a Filipino singer and actor. He was the first winner of the reality talent competition show ''Pilipinas Got Talent'' in 2010. Early life Jovit Baldivino came from a poor fami ...

as Brando

Special participation

Coco Martin Rodel Pacheco Nacianceno (born November 1, 1981), known professionally by his stage name Coco Martin (), is a Filipino actor, director, and film producer. He is best known for playing the lead roles in ''Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin'', '' Walang H ...

as Asiong

Reception

The show premieres strongly taking over the number 2 spot with a 12.3% behind ASAP Rocks' 12.7% and beating its rival youth program

Tween Hearts ''Reel Love Presents Tween Hearts'' is a Philippine television drama romance series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Gina Alajar, it stars Barbie Forteza, Joshua Dionisio, Bea Binene and Jake Vargas. It premiered on September 26, 2010 ...

.Kantar Media-TNS National Household Ratings (Sept. 2-5): Kapamilya shows rule primetime race; 100 Days To Heaven leads ABS-CBN campaign
retrieved via http://www.pep.ph 09-06-2011

References

External links

Official Site
* * {{twitter, ABSGrowingUp ABS-CBN drama series Philippine teen drama television series Television series by Dreamscape Entertainment Television 2011 Philippine television series debuts 2012 Philippine television series endings Philippine anthology television series Filipino-language television shows Television series about teenagers Television shows set in Manila