Who Is Mutya Orquia? 5 Facts About the "What Lies Beneath" Actress

The news is true, “all of Sir Chief's kids are gay.” Or at least all of them have officially played queer characters: Jerome Ponce in Ben X Jim, Janella Salvador in Open Endings, and now, Mutya Orquia in the ABS-CBN and Netflix thriller What Lies Beneath.

Netizens were quick to point out the coincidence among the three Be Careful With My Heart actors, who all played Richard Yap’s children in the 2012 hit show, after some recent development in WLB caught the LGBT community's attention. Janella even joined in on the fun by responding to a tweet with “Sir chief’s girls are for the girls.”

The online buzz began when What Lies Beneath’s latest episode revealed a queer storyline between Mutya and PBB alum Kolette Madelo’s character in the series. If you want to know more, you’ll have to see it for yourself. Instead of spoiling you any further, let’s get to know Sir Chief’s youngest daughter, former child star turned rising actress Mutya Orquia.

Born on May 3, 2006, Mutya was only four years old when she first showed up on national television. She played the younger version of Jessy Mendiola in the 2010 romance drama Sabel. This was immediately followed by her debut main role in Mutya, a fantasy series wherein a then five-year-old Mutya played an adorable little mermaid caught in between the troubles of her human mother and her supernatural father.

And she’s just 19 years old! Mutya’s career went full speed ahead after starring in her breakout show of the same name. She became a regular on Goin’ Bulilit in 2012, has appeared in several Wansapanataym and Maalaala Mo Kaya episodes, and has starred in standalone dramas like Bagito, Flordeliza, The Good Son, and the latest iteration of Darna, often playing the main female characters’ younger versions.

It was in Be Careful With My Heart that Mutya’s acting was truly recognized. After her performance as the youngest daughter of Sir Chief, Abby Lim, Mutya won the Best Child Performance and Most Popular Female Child Performer awards at the FMTM Awards for TV Entertainment and the GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards, respectively. She’s also been nominated five times at the PMPC Star Awards for Movies and Television.

The adorable little girl on our TV screens is now all grown up, having adventures on her own. According to Mutya’s Instagram profile, she’s an obstacle course racing athlete, a free diver, and a trail and road runner. You can find her having the best time with her sporty pursuits on her social media, @iammutya_orquia.

In 2025, Mutya joined Estudyantipid on the Knowledge Channel Foundation. This financial literacy series teaches high school students how to be practical with their money through smart money habits and helpful tips. Talented, athletic, and brainy—Mutya’s definitely a triple threat!