CHILD wonder Simon Pineda, who plays “Onyok” in the hit prime-time series “Ang Probinsyano” on ABS-CBN, has graduated from junior nursery with honors.
In a photo posted by Coco Martin on Instagram, Pineda also received awards during his graduation at the IRC Children’s Learning Center in Sta. Cruz, Laguna recently.
His awards were “Mahusay sa Pagbasa,” “Mahusay sa Pagtula,” “Mahusay sa Pag-Awit,” “Mahusay sa Pagsayaw,” at “Magiliw,” according to a report by the late-night talk show “Tonight with Boy Abunda.”
Asked by Martin what gift he wanted for graduation, Pineda said: “Gusto ko ng baril sa ‘Star Wars’.”
Pineda, 6, started on television as a contestant in the “MIni-Me” segment of Kapamilya noontime show “It’s Showtime” where he performed as the mini version of Filipino rock icon Bamboo.
Martin recalled in a recent interview with “TV Patrol” news program how Pineda was discovered.
“Nag audition s’ya para sa isang role. Nung pauwi na s’ya sabi n’ya sa amin, ‘Kunin n’yo ko ha!’ Nung nilagay na namin s’ya sa kamera nakita na namin ‘yung pagka brilyo n’ya. Tapos kung magsalita s’ya para s’yang matanda,” he said.
Pineda said that he wanted to become a full-time actor. Asked why, the boy said: “Kasi po masaya mag-acting.”
The child star also said that he wanted a car if Martin would give it to him as a gift. Changing his mind, he later said that he would save money to buy one.
“Pero ako na lang po ang bibili pag may pera na po ako,” Pineda said.