Every morning, we see her as the bold and selfless Ruth Dimagmaliw who always expresses heartfelt care and concern for the children of Nang Ngumiti ang Langit and does everything to protect them from harm in any way possible. But before she became the kids’ trustworthy, caring and loving ‘tita’ Ruth, Matet De Leon was one of the cutest, most admired child stars in the local showbiz industry.

With her one of a kind charisma and being the adoptive daughter of two of the country’s entertainment luminaries, Nora Aunor and Christopher De Leon, Matet immediately entered stardom when she was only three years old. She became a prominent child wonder of the late 1980’s and the early 1990’s, starring on films such as “I Love You Mama, I Love You Papa”, “Inday-Inday Sa Balitaw”, “Bunsong Kerubin”, “Tatlong Ina, Isang Anak”, “Takbo Bilis Takboooo!”, “Takot Ako Eh!”, and many more.

When she grew up, Matet became one of the most bankable stars in the industry. She appeared on several movies and television shows and was eventually tagged as “Bestfriend ng Bayan” for her many witty roles as confidante to the main characters. Her most remarkable roles include portraying Jean in “Till There Was You” (2003), Zoila in the box office romantic-comedy movie trilogy “A Very Special Love” (2008), “You Changed My Life” (2009), and “It Takes A Man and A Woman” (2013), Gemma in “Till My Heartaches End” (2010), Nancy in Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala (2013), Rowena in The Legal Wife (2014), and Tracy in A Love To Last (2017).

Now that she appears in the daytime drama series titled Nang Ngumiti ang Langit, along with some of today’s well-loved child stars namely Sophia Reola, Miguel Vergara, Heart Ramos and Krystal Mejes, Matet gives them good advice and guides them as their loving ‘tita’. During the show’s press conference on March 2019, she uttered words of wisdom for the said child stars to enjoy their youthful moments in life by saying:

“[Kung may advice akong maibibigay sa child stars,] siguro [‘yong] wag tatanggalin ‘yong pagiging bata nila. Kasi napapansin ko, sa mga nags’start ng maliliit pa, ang bilis nilang magsi-mature… Siyempre kasi puro taping, puro trabaho, ang laro nawawala… Importante ‘yan ‘e, importante ‘yan sa bata.”

True to her advice, Matet herself always loved to maintain a joyful personality by being a little silly once in a while. We can see how much she loves reminiscing her childhood with her throwback posts on her Instagram account. 

In April, she even relived those moments as she took the “Do That Throwback Pose” Challenge on Kapamilya Chat.

WATCH: Matet de Leon takes on the “Do That Throwback Pose” Challenge

Indeed, Matet has that timeless charm and will always have that endearing personality and admirable acting craft. See her most adorable throwback photos in this gallery!