At a glance, it might seem easy to stereotype Criza Taa. But behind all the assumptions is a young woman who has been through a lot yet not just perseveres but also thrives. She is more than what some may say, and it’s something more people are seeing now thanks to her role in the Prime Video series Honor Thy Mother, where she has been turning heads as Georgia Aragon.
A far cry from the bubbly and outgoing personality she often shows in her work, the project is one that highlights how Taa means business as a rising star on the screen and social media. Scroll down to get to know more about the 22-year-old actress.
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She Got Her Start on Pinoy Big Brother
Like many of her peers, Taa’s exposure to the spotlight began with Pinoy Big Brother, as she joined PBB: Otso in 2018. However, as part of that season’s structure, Taa, who was given the moniker “Ang Apo of the Eye Ng Quezon City,” wasn’t selected as an official housemate. Instead, she entered as a Star Dreamer from Camp Star Hunt, where housemates had a chance to join the main competition if they completed tasks, which Taa successfully did.
She quickly made a name for herself with her fun and bright personality. But her outgoing disposition was seen by both viewers and her fellow housemates as being bossy. She was nominated for eviction twice and was eliminated from the show during the third week. To be just a teenager and subjected to public scrutiny like that is not easy on anyone, but Taa has used her time on the show as a learning lesson that has helped her grow and prepare her to handle her showbiz career.
She Got Her Breakout Role in He’s Into Her
While Taa made her acting debut in Kadenang Ginto in 2019 playing Roxanne, it was in 2021 that she got her big break as an up-and-coming actress when she was cast to play Zarnaih “Naih” Marchessa in the series adaptation of the Wattpad hit He’s Into Her. Playing the best friend of Belle Mariano’s Maxpein for two seasons, the show was Taa’s biggest project to date and introduced her to a generation of fans. Considering that the popular series turned Belle Mariano and Donny Pangilinan into overnight stars, it was clear Taa was in good company.
She’s Been Steadily Building Her Acting Career
Criza Taa is no one-hit-wonder. After He’s Into Her ended, the Gen Z actress has been busy as she transitioned into acting with a handful of projects, such as teen-oriented series and primetime dramas, over the past few years. She portrayed teenage Grace Villareal, who was played by Denise Laurel, in the Filipino adaptation of the South Korean TV series Flower of Evil in 2022. She was one of the lead stars of the Kapamilya series Zoomers, where she was paired with Harvey Bautista. Taa has also a couple of MMK episodes in her resume.
But 2026 has been an especially exciting year for the young star acting-wise as she’s a part of the cast of Prime Video’s Honor Thy Mother, which stars Barbie Forteza and Sharon Cuneta. As Georgia Aragon, Taa has been showing a new, fiercer side of herself in her first proper kontrabida role. Already, netizens have been taking notice and appreciating how she can play the mean girl so well and go toe-to-toe with industry veterans and icons despite being only 22.
She’s a Social Media Star
If you haven’t seen Taa in one of her acting projects, chances are you’ve seen her on social media and one of her many viral videos. With over 3.8 million followers on TikTok alone, she commands an impressive platform thanks to her get ready with me videos and content that highlights her confident nature. But more than just giving her take on the latest social media trend, Taa has also been using her platform to inspire others to be themselves and let their real self shine.
“Beauty, for me, is embracing your authentic self,” she told MEGA in an interview in 2024. “Kung ano man ang makakapagpa-confident sa kanila, may it be on how they want to wear their makeup o kung paano nila gustong bihisan ‘yong sarili nila, it doesn’t really matter [Whatever gives them confidence, may it be on how they want to wear their makeup or how they want to dress themselves, it doesn’t really matter]. As long as you feel beautiful, as long as you feel confident, that is what’s important. You define your own beautiful.”
She Considers Her Lola to Be Her Biggest Inspiration
Taa is a lola’s girl through and through. Her Lola Wilma, whom she fondly calls her mama and considers her her parent, raised her and was her biggest cheerleader in life. She credits her lola for making her the person she is today and inspiring her to do what she does. Sadly, her lola passed away in November 2021, which was one of the hardest moments of her life. But Taa found the strength to carry on and, more importantly, honor the memory and lessons of her lola in her life.
Featured Image: CRIZA TAA (via Instagram), Photo by Dave Graciadas
Photos: CRIZA TAA (via Instagram), MEGA Archives, May 2024, Photo by Wilmark Jolindon
Frequently Asked Questions
Criza Taa entered showbiz through Pinoy Big Brother: Otso in 2018 as a Star Dreamer from Camp Star Hunt, earning the moniker “Ang Apo of the Eye Ng Quezon City” before being eliminated in the show’s third week.
Criza Taa’s breakout role came in 2021 when she was cast as Zarnaih “Naih” Marchessa in the Wattpad series adaptation He’s Into Her, playing the best friend of Belle Mariano’s character for two seasons.
Criza Taa plays Georgia Aragon in Prime Video’s Honor Thy Mother, alongside Barbie Forteza and Sharon Cuneta, marking her first proper kontrabida role and earning attention for going toe-to-toe with industry veterans.
Criza Taa has over 3.8 million followers on TikTok, where she’s known for get-ready-with-me videos and content that encourages others to embrace their authentic selves and personal definition of beauty.
Criza Taa credits her grandmother, Lola Wilma, whom she calls her “mama” and considers her parent, as her biggest inspiration. Her lola passed away in November 2021, and Taa has carried her lessons forward since.
