By Manila Bulletin Entertainment
Published Oct 2, 2025 12:18 am
Ornella Briana
A Swiss-Filipina rising star in Philippine theater, Ornella Brianna, carries the legacy of her artist mom.
She was born in Hong Kong, and her life has always been surrounded by creativity, culture, and performance. The eldest of three siblings, Ornella grew up watching her mother perform in various events in Hong Kong while taking musical and dance classes at her mother’s own studio. She is the daughter of international stage performer Tricia Canilao, who performed Kim in Miss Saigon (Netherlands) and Gigi and Ellen in Miss Saigon (Asia and UK), and in Hong Kong Disneyland.
She confessed, “I really want to play Kim one day! Miss Saigon is one of my favorite musicals, especially when I got the chance to watch it when it was here in the Philippines, so it’d be great to play Kim.”
Making a name for herself.
When her family moved back from Hong Kong in 2016, Ornella took her very first theater workshop with Repertory Philippines, under the mentorship of Ayam Barredo.
There, she stepped into her first leading role as Ariel in The Little Mermaid. It was an experience that sparked her love for musical theater. Just a year later, she appeared in A Christmas Carol with 9Works Theatrical.
Now, as a teenager, she makes her highly anticipated return to musical theater in Alice in Wonderland. It’s a moment that feels like “coming back home” to the stage that shaped her.
As an artist herself, she doesn't care what kind of roles would be assigned to her.
“I don’t really mind what roles I’m assigned, even if I have my preferences. I see every role as an opportunity to learn and grow.
“Being in the ensemble teaches teamwork and discipline, supporting roles allow me to develop character work, and lead roles challenge me to carry the story with confidence.”
For her, even if she’s not being cast, it teaches resilience and humility.
“I truly believe in the saying, ‘there are no small roles, only small actors’ because theater isn’t just about being in the spotlight, it’s about collaboration and storytelling. Every role, big or small, helps me become a stronger and more versatile artist.”
She’s her mom’s daughter, no matter what.
There is no denying that she looks up to her mother.
“One of the most important things my mom always told me was to give 120 percent in everything I do. She explained that if I only give 100 percent and I fall short, I might end up at 80 percent or 90 percent. But if I push for 120 percent, then even on the days I don’t feel at my best, I’ll still be giving 100 percent.”
“Another piece of advice she gave me was that talent isn’t the only thing that matters. What’s just as important is being a good person, because people will only want to work with you if you’re kind and respectful.
“I’ve always admired her as an artist because when she performs, she has the ability to capture the attention of an entire room. I only had the chance to see her perform a handful of times since most of her shows were either before I was born or when I was too young to remember, but the moments I did witness, and especially the times I was able to perform alongside her, showed me how kind, cooperative, and inspiring she is to work with.
“As a mother, she has always been supportive of me and my brothers, doing anything she can to help us achieve our dreams. She is the strongest and most caring person I know, which is why I look up to her so much.”
“At the same time, she has never wanted me to simply become a ‘mini her,’ especially when it comes to performing. She always told me that she tries not to interfere with my voice or acting, so that I wouldn’t just copy her, but instead grow into my own kind of artist.”
She knows what she wants as an individual.
Although Ornella is Tricia’s daughter, Tricia consistently encourages her to be independent.
With her mother’s legacy as inspiration and her own fearless determination as fuel, Ornella Brianna is stepping into her own spotlight — not as someone’s daughter, but as an emerging artist boldly carving her own path.
Ornella is a determined individual who confidently pursues her own path. She is a singer, dancer, and actor, and has also excelled as a competitive ice skater, earning gold medals in the Philippines and internationally.
Her creativity extends to drawing and painting, but she feels most inspired by musical theater.
Besides Kim, she has many dream roles such as Maggie or Connie in A Chorus Line, Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Eurydice in Hadestown, Cinderella or the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Elphaba in Wicked, and even Angelica or really any role from Hamilton.
As a teenager who dreams of finding a space in a competitive world of theater, she’s mature enough to provide a sound advice for aspiring theater artists, “Stay open to every opportunity, never stop working hard, and remember that each experience, whether it feels like a success or a setback, can teach you something valuable that will help you grow both as a performer and as a person.”
Catch her in Repertory Philippines’ production as Tweedledee, which opened on Aug. 23 till Dec. 14 at Rep Eastwood Theater.
In the production, she has a partner named Tweedledum; their characters are from the English nursery rhyme "Tweedledee and Tweedledum" and Lewis Carroll's 1871 book Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There. The names have since become synonymous in Western popular culture slang for any two people whose appearances and actions are identical. (Contributed by Jude Cartalaba)
.webp)
