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Viva One star Hyacinth Callado entered the scene in 2023, moving all the way from America to pursue a career in acting. Soon after, she was cast as the cheerleader Elyse in the Wattpad adaptation University Series, debuting in Safe Skies, Archer (2023). A year later, she and her co-star Gab Lagman led Chasing in the Wild, for which she won the Best Drama Series Actress award from the Platinum Stallion National Media Awards.
In 2025, the American-born actress reprised her role as Elyse in the fourth installment of the Wattpad series Avenues of the Diamond and took on the Philippine adaptation of Bad Genius as Grace. These roles not only showcased her acting range but also added to the commercial recognition she has received for her raw performances.
RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Hyacinth Callado and Gab Lagman on Letting Each Other Take Control
An Early Breakthrough
It’s a rare sight for an actress to have a breakthrough so early in her career—even Callado was in shock. “There were so many moments when I felt so surprised with the amount of love I’ve received and the amount of people who have showed up for me,” the actress shared, recalling her first solo gig that was sold out and the mall show attendees. “It feels surreal seeing the amount of people who show up. I’m always surprised, always grateful.”
Amora Elyse Ledesma, her first-ever role in the industry, is a character she holds close to her heart—a fact quite apparent from her first-ever interview with MEGA. Even today, she still relates to her first character. “Out of everything, her confidence is what resonated with me. Because of Elyse, I learned to express myself and my emotions unapologetically,” the actress reflected.
You would think that Callado and Elyse are worlds apart, but at the end of the day, the two are both women who feel deeply—it is through her artistry that the actress feels empowered. It is through her artistry that she feels she can be bold without apology.
Going Bad
That was just the beginning for Callado. As she continues to embody Elyse throughout the University Series’ adaptations, she also juggled her role as Grace in Bad Genius, Viva One’s Philippine adaptation of the critically acclaimed Thai film.
Grace is not far off from Elyse, but still entirely different. Where the Chasing in the Wild character is outspoken and stands for herself, the Bad Genius young girl is at a crossroads—with what needs to be done and who she needs to be.
“I wanted to embody that young 16, 17 year old,” Callado told MEGA. “I cut my hair short, grew my eyebrows out, not caring too much about my physical appearance. I felt like I looked young. But I also had to think about the pressures Grace was going through.”
“When it comes to Grace, I thought about what she represents for young women, dealing with the weight of expectations from her family and school.”
– Hyacinth Callado on how she prepared for her role as Grace
Still new to the industry, the actress is still wading through open waters. “I haven’t done much genres, so I’m open to a lot,” she admitted, having done romance, thriller and horror from Sembreak (2024), and most recently, suspense and thriller from Bad Genius. “I would love to do action and more thriller, as well,” Callado chuckled.
A Role Model
Beyond her artistry, Callado is not afraid to stand up for what’s right, with activism being a prominent ideal in her hometown San Francisco. “Stay true to who you are” is a sentence that she always carries with her. “It’s something a lot of my supporters know that I’m very vocal about—and as cliche as it sounds, it’s true. And no matter what society tells you or the expectations around you, always take good care of yourself.”
“Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable.”
– Hyacinth Callado on her message to her viewers
Hyacinth Callado may be early in her career, but her grit, grace, and authenticity already define her artistry.. Her breakout roles, raw performances, sold-out gigs, small acts of activism—these embody her vulnerability and confidence, shaped by both her upbringing and the characters she’s brought to life. This is only the beginning of a story that promises to be as bold and compelling as the characters she brings to life.
Featured Image and Photos: HYACINTH CALLADO (via Instagram), MEGA ARCHIVES
