When Xyriel Manabat and Elijah Canlas were first paired in "Senior High," it was immediately clear that this was a best-meets-best scenario. The buzz was well-deserved, as, despite their young ages, both actors had already garnered significant recognition and numerous accolades for their impressive body of work.
When the sequel to "Senior High," titled "High Street," was announced and began airing, fans eagerly anticipated the return of Xyriel and Elijah's beloved tandem. Known to their fans as RoxChie, after their characters Roxy and Archie, their dynamic is one of the most anticipated elements in the series.
The tandem tells Kapamilya Chat how blessed and grateful they feel to return with the original cast for Season 2. They noted that it's a rare opportunity, as not every teleserye is given the chance to continue with a follow-up.
That’s why they’re giving it their all. The sequel picks up five years after the graduation from Northford High, showcasing their characters' evolution into more mature versions of themselves. Xyriel’s, Roxy, for instance, is now a single mother to a son she shares with Elijah’s Archie. The preparation was challenging, especially for Xyriel, who had to convincingly portray her character's growth over five years. Elijah, on the other hand, could establish Archie's maturity more visibly through physical transformations, such as the mustache he now sports.
The emotional aspect is particularly challenging, as Roxy is now a grown woman who chooses her battles wisely. Xyriel had to refine even her speaking voice and the way she cries, moving away from Roxy's childlike wails in the first series. One of her recent crying scenes with Zaijian Jaranilla, who plays Tim in the story, even went viral. Despite the difficulty she faced during that scene, her performance was so convincing that it’s hard to believe she felt it was an off day. This just highlights her exceptional talent, enabling her to deliver outstanding performances even under challenging circumstances.
For Xyriel, playing the current Roxy requires a perfect blend of maturity and youth. As a young single mom, Roxy's portrayal must strike the right balance. “Kailangan nando’n a rin ‘yung youth ni Roxy but at the same time nando’n ‘yung burden na mayroon siyang nire-raise na human being.” She continued, “Malaking responsibility ‘yun, eh, and malaki rin ‘yung responsibility sa akin as Xyriel kasi kailangan ‘yung awareness, knowledge, at ‘yung masho-showcase ko sa audience, kailangan natututo din sila in a way.”
“Kailangan nakikita nila ‘yung reality na ito ‘yung consequences o ito ‘yung practical living of an unprepared parent. Kailangan makita nila ‘yung struggle.”
As for Elijah, he faced more challenges with physical transformation in “Senior High,” needing to slim down to portray a teenager convincingly. However, in "High Street," he's more excited to delve into what's next for Archie. So far, viewers have seen Archie confined to prison, prompting Elijah to conduct research and watch materials about life behind bars to authentically portray his character's experiences.
When it comes to their on-screen dynamic, Xyriel and Elijah initially harbored concerns about RoxChie drifting apart, fearing it might disappoint their supporters or lead to a decline in their fan base built from the original series. However, Director Onat Diaz effectively conveyed his vision, telling them that the more their characters diverged, the more viewers were captivated. This anticipation stems from the curiosity about what's next for Roxy and Archie. Now, everyone is eagerly holding on, looking forward to the day when these former high school enemies will finally come face to face again.
“Sorry na ito-torture muna namin kayo ngayon na hindi pa kami nagkikita,” Elijah jestingly tells fans. “Pero sana talaga maging worth it siya,” he adds, emphasizing that both he and Xyriel are rooting for the best for RoxChie, especially now that a baby is involved in their dynamic.
And that child is portrayed by the viral "It's Showtime" Batang Cute-po member, Argus Aspiras, who brings a refreshing burst of positive energy to the set. Having a kid in the workplace is always delightful because they bring an abundance of cuteness and good vibes, inspiring everyone to be at their best and healthiest while working.
Xyriel was particularly thrilled to meet Argus, and she couldn't get enough of him on the first day of filming that she enjoyed snapping photos and videos with the adorable kid. Xyriel, a former child star herself, is proud of Argus for being able to pick up instructions, even though he may struggle at times due to his short attention span, which is understandable for a kid and a first-timer in a teleserye. Watching Argus sometimes leads her to reminisce about her own days as a child star.
While Elijah hasn't had the chance to act alongside Argus yet, they met just before this interview. He was immediately taken with Argus's adorable charm, leaving him eager to share the screen with the young talent.
Their on-set family has grown even bigger with the addition of new cast members like Harvey Bautista, AC Bonifacio, and Ralph de Leon, as well as seasoned actors Dimples Romana and Romnick Sarmenta. While they haven't had the chance to work alongside these new cast members yet, Xyriel and Elijah know them behind the cameras and recognize them as wonderful individuals who will add even more depth and intensity to the show's already substantial entertainment value. Here's a little secret: Xyriel admits to considering Romnick her childhood crush, which is why she was almost starstruck when she saw him on set.
In "High Street," Ralph, who portrays Doc Kevin, Roxy's colleague at the hospital, seems to introduce a potential love triangle angle. Speaking about Ralph, Xyriel shared that he easily blends in with everyone on set during breaks. However, once the cameras start rolling, it's a bit disconcerting for her because Roxy might not be accustomed to having a "green flag" guy in front of her.
“Gusto nilang marehistro na pure si Doc. So, medyo nahirapan kami at first kasi iba ‘yung dynamics namin at iba rin ‘yung na-brief sa amin sa taping for a specific scene. Pagdating doon sa set, medyo opposite ‘yung pinapagawa sa amin, so medyo nangapa kami at first. Pero, now, medyo nakikita na namin ‘yung dynamics,” she disclosed.
To wrap up the interview, Xyriel and Elijah shared their admiration for each other's characters. Despite Archie's troubled past, Xyriel sees his concern for his son as a testament to his growth and potential for redemption. On the other hand, Elijah praised Roxy's resilience and unwavering strength. Despite facing numerous challenges, from losing her parents to experiencing heartbreak and single motherhood, Roxy is like a superhero, serving as a relatable figure for many women.
They also fielded questions from fans via the exclusive Super Kapamilya community on YouTube, and one fan inquired about their favorite RoxChie moment. For Xyriel, it’s the ‘car scene’ where Roxy and Archie had a one-night stand, as it marked a significant leap in her acting journey. She thanks Elijah for his support during that scene, believing that if he hadn't been her partner, it might not have been as easily executed. Meanwhile, for Elijah, his favorite moments are the intense RoxChie "bangayan" moments because of the spontaneity and numerous ad-libbed lines they share.
When asked to sum up "High Street" in a few words, they chose "unexpected" and "thrilling." To discover why they describe it that way, tune in to the series airing weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, TV5, and A2Z.