Meet the adorable Kids of the World winner JJ Rivera Ahaja

June 28 ------ Adorable and talented kids are part of the local entertainment landscape. They star in educational, family comedy, and talent programs. They can also hold their own in a drama. And one of them is Jayferson “JJ” Rivera Ahaja, the Kids of the World 2026 Grand Winner, Little Mister Category. At the pageant held recently in Bali, Indonesia, he also won the Top Model and People’s Choice awards.

Select print media, including this paper, had a brief chat with JJ, who has appeared in shows like the weekend drama anthology titled “Tadhana,” and the weekday game show, “Family Feud.” Away from the klieg lights, the kid artist is a grade three pupil. “I like computer class (and) science class. I also like history class, math class, GMRC (Good Manners and Right Conduct) and English,” said he of his favorite subjects. In his free time, JJ would watch dance videos and listen to songs on YouTube and considers doing vlogging. He also likes the children’s show, “Coco Melon.”

During the Kids of the World, he showed his knack for dancing and liked the talent segment. Among today’s stars he looks forward to meeting actor-director Coco Martin. The child actor said that he wants to see him in person and say, “Hello.” JJ has worked with actress Glaiza de Castro and Juancho Triviño in the “Tadhana” episode titled “My Husband’s Wedding.” He played the son named Jayjay to Glaiza’s mom character Grace.

In a radio interview with “Showbiz Pulis,” JJ said he found Glaiza caring and recalled that the director would tell him the lines. Before coming to the set, he also practiced the dialogues in a workshop. He added that the veteran stars also told him to listen to his parents and not trust anybody he doesn’t know that much. He also said that he’s into acting, singing, and dancing. To further enhance his talents, the kid actor attends workshops and will be part of a movie, according to his management team. The newbie talent is under the Kids of the World Philippines organization.

JJ is lucky to have supportive parents, who nurture his creative and pageant pursuits. “As parents, sinusuportahan namin siya kung ano ang gusto niya in a good way,” said Dad Lans Ahaja. “Andyan kami lagi sa side niya, basta kaya niya at gusto niya.” They would accompany him in his pageants, and the family was present. They would also support him during filming a series, a TV guesting and print media interviews. Doing so is like family bonding to them.

As for his advice to JJ, who has begun a career in showbiz, Dad Lans said, “Be humble, especially marespeto ka sa nakakatanda sa’yo… kung may nag-hi, mag-hello ka. ‘Pag may matanda, mag-bless ka.” “His schooling is a priority,” said the father. “Doing (showbiz) is just a second option (or secondary). Dad Lans said that his son is an honor student.

Asked about his dream for JJ, the dad said, “Gusto namin na siya ang mag-manage ng negosyo namin ‘pag tanda namin (we want him to manage our business when we get old). We’re in construction, yun ang negosyo namin. Sabi naman niya gusto niyang maging engineer (He said he wants to become an engineer).”

Source: philstar.com