Annika Co
Born (2016-09-23) September 23, 2016 (age 9)
Muntinlupa, Philippines
OccupationActress
Years active2023–present
AgentViva Artists Agency

Annika Co (born September 23, 2016[1]) is a Filipino child actress.[2] She became known to the public in 2023 after appearing on the variety show It's Showtime.[3] Following her television appearance, she began a career in film and is currently managed by Viva Artists Agency.[4]

Career

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Early work

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Co's parents, Adrian and An Co, initially enrolled her in acting workshops under Star Magic to help build her confidence.[2] She also appeared in videos on her family's YouTube channel and was featured in a vlog by broadcaster Bernadette Sembrano.[2]

Television breakthrough

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In July 2023, Co participated in "Mini Ms. U", a segment for young girls on the ABS-CBN program It's Showtime.[3] During the competition, she performed an improvised acting skit with host Vice Ganda.[5] In the scene, she comforted the host who was pretending to have stage fright.[6]

Her dialogue in the skit, where she stated that one should be "the best version of yourself", received significant attention on social media.[7] The performance drew an emotional reaction from co-host Anne Curtis, who praised the child's kindness.[4] Co was named the daily winner of the segment by judges Janice de Belen, Gladys Reyes, and Niño Muhlach.[3]

Acting career

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Following her appearance on It's Showtime, Co signed a management contract with Viva Artists Agency on August 8, 2023.[6] By 2025, she began appearing in film projects.[8] She was cast in the film Sunshine, directed by Antoinette Jadaone and starring Maris Racal.[9]

In August 2025, Co starred in the short film Blooming!, which was an entry in the SineKabataan film festival.[8] In this project, she played the role of Nena, a Grade 5 student.[8]

Personal life

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Annika Co is from Muntinlupa, Philippines.[3] She is homeschooled, with her mother acting as her teacher.[9] In a 2025 interview, Co stated that she hopes to study at the Juilliard School when she reaches college.[9]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2023 Penduko Yap Yap Directed by Jason Paul Laxamana [10]
2024 Sunshine Girl Directed by Antoinette Jadaone [8]
2025 Blooming! Nena Short film (SineKabataan) [8]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2023 It's Showtime Herself Contestant (Mini Ms. U) [3]
2024 Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa Fatima Aguirre / Fatima Dela Cruz [11]

References

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  1. ^ "Annika Co". Viva Artists Agency. September 23, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Geronimo, Mika (August 10, 2023). "Remember Annika Co from 'It's Showtime'? She's now under Viva Artists Agency". Rappler. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e Calanog, Dale (July 5, 2023). "Anne Curtis gets emotional over 'Mini Miss U' skit". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  4. ^ a b "'Mini Ms. U' contestant Annika Co joins showbiz". ABS-CBN News. August 9, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  5. ^ Arceo, Therese (July 4, 2023). "Anne Curtis naiyak dahil sa Mini Miss U contestant: It was so innocent and pure" [Anne Curtis cried because of Mini Miss U contestant: It was so innocent and pure] (in Tagalog). Bandera Inquirer. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Ramos, Kayla (August 9, 2023). "'Mini Miss U' Contestant Annika Co Joins Viva Artists Agency". When In Manila. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  7. ^ de Leon, Richard (August 9, 2023). "Trending Mini Miss U contestant Annika Co Viva artist na" [Trending Mini Miss U contestant Annika Co is now a Viva artist] (in Tagalog). Balita. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  8. ^ a b c d e Posadas, Andrea (August 13, 2025). ""Sunshine" Breakout Star Annika Co Is Back for a New Short Film—Here's Why You Should Support It". When In Manila. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  9. ^ a b c "'Tao Po': Annika Co puspusan sa pag-aaral kahit pumasok sa showbiz" ['Tao Po': Annika Co working hard on studies despite entering showbiz] (in Tagalog). ABS-CBN News. November 12, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  10. ^ "WATCH: Trailer for Matteo Guidicelli's movie 'Penduko'". ABS-CBN. October 20, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  11. ^ Mislang, Irene (June 5, 2023). "Kapatid afternoons become more intense with Carlo J. Caparas' Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa". Pikapika. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
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