Nagbago ng pananampalataya! 15 Filipino stars who converted to another religion
Belief is an individual path that can have an impact on the public sphere, even in the entertainment industry. Many famous people have encouraged their admirers on their spiritual paths by being transparent about how their views have evolved. This article delves into the lives of Filipino stars who converted to another religion.
Source: Instagram
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Filipino stars who converted to another religion
- 1. Christopher Roxas
- 2. Yasmien Kurdi
- 3. LJ Reyes
- 4. Pancho Magno & Max Collins
- 5. Manny Pacquiao
- 6. Regine Velasquez‑Alcasid
- 7. Bettina Carlos
- 8. Snooky Serna
- 9. Robin Padilla
- 10. Kim Atienza
- 11. Rica Peralejo
- 12. Piolo Pascual
- 13. Hayden Kho
- 14. Billy Crawford
- 15. BB Gandanghari
- Which Filipino actress converted to Islam?
- What is Kathryn Bernardo's religion?
- Which celebrities converted to Islam?
- Who converted the Philippines to Christianity?
- Which part of the Philippines has the most Muslims?
- Which celebrities left Islam?
Key takeaways
- Many Filipino celebrities who changed their religion did so as a result of love, personal development, or difficulties in their lives.
- While some converted to Islam or Jehovah's Witnesses, the bulk became born-again Christians.
- Decisions on one's personal life and job are frequently impacted by conversions.
- Fans may be motivated to consider their own values and views by celebrity conversions.
Filipino stars who converted to another religion
Many Filipino celebrities have openly shared how their faith has changed over time. From switching denominations to adopting new religions, these stars’ spiritual journeys reflect their personal growth and life experiences. Here’s a look at Filipino stars who converted to another religion and how these choices shaped their lives.
Name | Age as of 2026 | Profession | Conversion |
Christopher Roxas | 50 | Actor | Iglesia Ni Cristo |
Yasmien Kurdi | 33 | Actress, singer | Husband’s religion |
LJ Reyes | 36 | Actress, host | Born‑Again Christian |
Pancho Magno | 34 | Actor | Born‑Again Christian |
Max Collins | 33 | Actress | Born‑Again Christian |
Manny Pacquiao | 47 | Boxer, politician | Born‑Again Christian |
Regine Velasquez‑Alcasid | 50 | Singer, TV host | Born‑Again Christian |
Bettina Carlos | 38 | Actress, host | Christ’s Commission Fellowship |
Snooky Serna | 55 | Actress | Iglesia Ni Cristo |
Robin Padilla | 57 | Actor | Islam |
Kim Atienza | 53 | TV host | Born‑Again Christian |
Rica Peralejo | 41 | Actress, host | Born‑Again Christian |
Piolo Pascual | 45 | Actor, singer | Born‑Again Christian |
Hayden Kho | 42 | Doctor, media personality | Born‑Again Christian |
Billy Crawford | 41 | Singer, host | Born‑Again Christian |
BB Gandanghari | 46 | Actress, model, LGBTQ+ advocate | Jehovah’s Witness |
1. Christopher Roxas
- Age (2026): 50
- Profession: Actor
- Conversion: Joined Iglesia Ni Cristo. emphasising the actor influenced by his partner
- Status: Alive
Christopher Roxas is a seasoned actor known for his roles in Philippine TV dramas and indie films. Over the years, he has built a strong presence on screen while remaining private about his personal life. He converted to Iglesia Ni Cristo, influenced by his partner, reflecting how relationships can shape spiritual paths.
2. Yasmien Kurdi
- Age (2026): 33
- Profession: Actress, singer
- Conversion: Left Iglesia Ni Cristo for her husband’s religion after marriage
- Status: Alive
Yasmien Kurdi is an actress and singer who gained fame as a finalist on StarStruck. Her performances in drama series and music have earned her recognition nationwide. She embraced her husband’s religion after marriage, showing how personal relationships often guides faith decisions.
3. LJ Reyes
Source: Instagram
- Age (2026): 36
- Profession: Actress, host
- Conversion: Became a Born‑Again Christian in 2015
- Status: Alive
LJ Reyes is an award-nominated actress and host with a strong career in Philippine television. In 2015, she became a Born‑Again Christian, citing a desire for a deeper, more personal connection to faith. Her conversion coincided with a period of personal growth and reflection.
4. Pancho Magno & Max Collins
- Age (2026): Pancho 34, Max 33
- Profession: Actors
- Conversion: Both embraced Born‑Again Christianity as a couple
- Status: Alive
This celebrity couple has made a name for themselves in TV dramas and primetime series. Pancho Magno and Max Collins both embraced Born‑Again Christianity in 2015, emphasising how shared spiritual beliefs strengthen their personal and professional partnership.
5. Manny Pacquiao
- Age (2026): 47
- Profession: Boxer, politician
- Conversion: Converted to Born‑Again Christianity from Roman Catholicism
- Status: Alive
Manny Pacquiao is a world-renowned boxer and politician, famous as an 8-division world champion and Philippine senator. Originally Roman Catholic, he converted to Born‑Again Christianity, attributing his faith to guiding his life, career decisions, and philanthropic work. Pacquiao is one of the famous Filipino Christians in the Philippines.
6. Regine Velasquez‑Alcasid
- Age (2026): 50
- Profession: Singer, TV host
- Conversion: Became a Born‑Again Christian in 2013
- Status: Alive
Known as Asia’s Songbird, Regine Velasquez‑Alcasid is a multi-awarded singer and TV host. In 2013, she became a Born‑Again Christian, explaining that faith gave her strength through personal and professional challenges.
7. Bettina Carlos
Source: Instagram
- Age (2026): 38
- Profession: Actress, host
- Conversion: Joined Christ’s Commission Fellowship
- Status: Alive
Bettina Carlos is a versatile actress and host recognised for her TV and movie appearances. She converted to become one of the Christ’s Commission Fellowship (CCF) celebrity members, highlighting how faith became a guiding principle in her career and personal life.
8. Snooky Serna
- Age (2026): 55
- Profession: Actress
- Conversion: Joined Iglesia Ni Cristo after illness and introspection
- Status: Alive
Snooky Serna is a veteran actress with decades of experience in award-winning films and TV shows. She joined Iglesia Ni Cristo following a period of illness and introspection, sharing that her new faith brought her peace and resilience.
9. Robin Padilla
- Age (2026): 57
- Profession: Actor
- Conversion: Converted to Islam during imprisonment in the 1990s
- Status: Alive
Robin Padilla is one of Philippine cinema’s most famous action stars, also known as a producer and politician. During imprisonment in the 1990s, he converted to Islam, adopting the name Abdul Aziz. His conversion marked a turning point in both the personal and public life.
10. Kim Atienza
- Age (2026): 53
- Profession: TV host
- Conversion: Became a Born‑Again Christian after health challenges
- Status: Alive
Kim Atienza, famously known as “Kuya Kim,” is a TV host and weather presenter with a long-running career in Philippine media. He became a Born‑Again Christian after facing serious health challenges, crediting his faith for renewed perspective and gratitude.
11. Rica Peralejo
Source: Instagram
- Age (2026): 41
- Profession: Actress, host
- Conversion: Became a Born‑Again Christian and later married a pastor
- Status: Alive
Rica Peralejo is a former teen star turned actress and TV host. She became a Born‑Again Christian and later married a pastor, often sharing that faith guides her life, career choices, and parenting style.
12. Piolo Pascual
- Age (2026): 45
- Profession: Actor, singer
- Conversion: Converted to Born‑Again Christianity, influenced by colleagues
- Status: Alive
Piolo Pascual is a leading man in Philippine cinema and a celebrated singer. Influenced by industry colleagues, he converted to Born‑Again Christianity, demonstrating how personal connections and experiences shaped his spiritual journey.
13. Hayden Kho
- Age (2026): 42
- Profession: Doctor, media personality
- Conversion: Became a Born‑Again Christian after public controversies
- Status: Alive
Hayden Kho is a doctor, entrepreneur, and media personality. Following public controversies, he became a Born‑Again Christian, highlighting faith as a path to reflection, redemption, and personal growth.
14. Billy Crawford
- Age (2026): 41
- Profession: Singer, host
- Conversion: Identifies as a Born‑Again Christian
- Status: Alive
Billy Crawford is an internationally recognised singer and TV host. He identifies as a Born‑Again Christian, noting that faith influences both his professional endeavours and personal life decisions.
15. BB Gandanghari
Source: Facebook
- Age (2026): 46
- Profession: Actress, model, LGBTQ+ advocate
- Conversion: Converted with her family to Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1985
- Status: Alive
BB Gandanghari, born Rustom Padilla, is an actress, model, and LGBTQ+ advocate. Raised Catholic, she converted with her family to Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1985, a decision that has shaped her personal and spiritual identity.
Which Filipino actress converted to Islam?
Actress Queenie Padilla leaves the entertainment industry to focus on her faith. Queenie Padilla, an actress from the Philippines, has broken her silence to publicly declare her intention to convert to Islam, which she has described as a path toward enlightenment and personal harmony.
What is Kathryn Bernardo's religion?
Bernardo was raised as a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), but she is now reportedly a born-again Christian. In early 2024, she was spotted attending worship services at Christ’s Commission Fellowship (CCF), an evangelical Christian church in the Philippines.
Her alleged conversion to Christianity occurred in 2016 around the time she posted about proclaiming "God's name with boldness and conviction."
Which celebrities converted to Islam?
Armando Bukele Kattán – El Salvadoran industrialist and religious leader, converted to Islam from Christianity. Hamza Ali Abbasi, a former Pakistani actor, converted to Islam from atheism. Abd Al Malik (born Régis Fayette-Mikano) – French rapper and poet. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr.)
Who converted the Philippines to Christianity?
Christopher Magellan. Magellan and his crew resolved to go to Cebu in order to bring more Filipinos to the priesthood. On Sunday, April 14, 1521, during the Sunday service, the King and Queen of Cebu, along with their subjects, became Catholic, marking the earliest known conversion in the Philippines.
Which part of the Philippines has the most Muslims?
Some of the Philippines' most Muslim-populated areas are Mindanao, Palawan, and the Sulu archipelago in the south. Muslims of the Bangsamoro or Moro ethnic groups, whose ancestral homeland is Mindanao, make up a large portion of this population.
Which celebrities left Islam?
Trie Utami is an Indonesian singer who renounced Islam following a tumultuous divorce in 2005 but has remained mum about her new faith. Wesley Snipes is a multi-talented American who has worked in film, martial arts, and acting.
The religious journeys of these celebrities demonstrate that personal growth and introspection can change lives. Their conversions to new religions and denominations show how spirituality shapes values, choices, and public image. Filipino stars who converted to another religion show that faith can change and inspire regardless of status or job.
Review disclaimer: This list is based on publicly available reports and interviews. Only confirmed conversions are included, and the list is not exhaustive.
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