Kit Thompson

Keith San Esteban Thompson (born 1997), known professionally as Kit Thompson, is a Filipino-New Zealander actor and model who first rose to prominence as a teenage housemate on the reality television series Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition 4 in 2012.^[1] Thompson has since appeared in numerous Philippine television productions and films produced by ABS-CBN, including supporting roles in the romantic comedy The Hows of Us (2018) as Darwin and the drama Belle Douleur (2019) as Josh, the latter earning him the Remi Award for Best Actor at the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival.^[1][2] His career faced a major setback in March 2022 when he was arrested in Tagaytay City and charged with two counts of violating Republic Act No. 9262, the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act, after allegations from his then-girlfriend, actress Ana Jalandoni, that he had physically assaulted and detained her during an argument fueled by jealousy; Thompson was released on bail and lost several acting projects as a result, though he resumed work later that year.^[3][4][5] Jalandoni later expressed forgiveness toward Thompson as part of her personal healing process, and the pair have reportedly maintained amicable relations since, with no public record of a conviction in the case.^[6][7]

Early life

Background and entry into modeling

Keith San Esteban Thompson, known professionally as Kit Thompson, was born on February 15, 1997, in Angeles, Pampanga, Philippines.^[8] His mother is Filipina, while his father hails from New Zealand, conferring Filipino-New Zealander heritage.^[9] Raised in the Philippines, Thompson grew up in a provincial setting that shaped his early aspirations toward entertainment.^[10] Thompson entered the modeling industry as a teenager, working as a commercial model prior to broader public exposure.^[11] Standing at 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm), he was nicknamed "Kid Tangkad ng Pampanga" (Tall Kid of Pampanga), highlighting his physical stature as a marketable attribute in local media.^[12] In interviews, he recalled beginning to pursue such opportunities around age 14, drawn by family influences and local prospects in the Philippine entertainment scene.^[10] This early modeling phase established Thompson's initial visibility through print and commercial gigs, capitalizing on his mixed heritage and youthful appeal without formal training.^[11] His work in this field laid preparatory groundwork, focusing on visual presentation in advertisements and campaigns tailored to the domestic market.^[13]

Career

Debut in entertainment

Thompson entered the acting scene in 2012 shortly after his stint as a housemate on Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition 4, securing his first television role as Alberto "Ambet" Espiritu, a supporting character, in the ABS-CBN drama series Kahit Puso'y Masugatan.^[14] The series, which aired from September 2012 to April 2013, focused on themes of friendship and heartbreak among young characters, providing Thompson an entry point into scripted television amid a competitive Philippine industry dominated by established networks like ABS-CBN.^[15] That same year, he made a guest appearance in an episode of ABS-CBN's long-running drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya, further establishing his presence in supporting capacities on the network.^[9] These early television roles, often secondary to lead actors from major talent agencies, reflected the typical pathway for reality show alumni transitioning to acting, where initial opportunities were limited to ensemble casts rather than starring parts.^[14] Thompson's film debut followed in 2013 with a supporting role as Nicco in Must Be... Love, a Star Cinema romantic comedy directed by Dado Lumibao and starring Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, which explored teenage infatuation and family dynamics. The following year, he portrayed Ping in the independent film #Y (also known as Hashtag Y), directed by Gino M. Santos, a coming-of-age story about young adults navigating social media and relationships that marked his initial recognition within Philippine cinema circles.^[16] These projects highlighted his shift from modeling and reality television visibility to on-screen performances, though early typecasting as youthful sidekicks persisted due to his post-PBB image and the industry's preference for versatile but non-lead newcomers.^[17]

Rise to prominence

Thompson's breakthrough came with his portrayal of Ping in the 2014 film #Y, a youth drama that marked his initial foray into lead supporting roles and garnered attention for his on-screen presence as a relatable teen character.^[18] This performance opened doors to television opportunities, including a recurring role as Julius in the ABS-CBN series Forevermore (2014–2015), a popular teleserye focused on romance and personal growth themes appealing to younger audiences.^[19] Building on this momentum, Thompson took on the role of Martin Gonzales in Born for You (2016), an ABS-CBN musical drama that highlighted his range in blending acting with lighter, ensemble-driven narratives.^[20] These mid-2010s television appearances established him as a versatile actor-model, often cast in roles emphasizing youthful energy and emotional depth, which aligned with the demand for fresh faces in Philippine youth-oriented programming. A pivotal escalation occurred in 2018 with his supporting role as Darwin in The Hows of Us, a Star Cinema production starring major draws Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla.^[14] The film, exploring long-term relationship dynamics, achieved unprecedented commercial viability, surpassing ₱600 million in domestic gross within weeks of release and ultimately exceeding ₱800 million, solidifying its status as a box-office phenomenon driven by strong ensemble chemistry and broad appeal.^{[21] [22]} This high-profile collaboration with established stars enhanced Thompson's industry standing, positioning him as a reliable contributor to projects blending dramatic tension with marketable star power.

Career challenges and resurgence

Following the March 2022 arrest of Kit Thompson on charges of physical assault and illegal detention stemming from an incident with his then-girlfriend Ana Jalandoni, the actor faced immediate professional repercussions in the Philippine entertainment industry.^[23] Thompson was recast in at least two announced projects, including the digital series Ang Babae sa Likod ng Face Mask, where Joseph Marco replaced him as the lead opposite Herlene Budol; teasers initially featuring Thompson were edited to remove him prior to the series' June 2022 premiere on Puregold Channel.^{[24] [25]} He was also substituted by JC de Vera in another undisclosed project, reflecting broader industry caution amid the ongoing legal proceedings.^[25] Thompson later acknowledged losing multiple opportunities due to the scandal, attributing the fallout to damaged public perception.^[4] Thompson's professional recovery began in late 2022 with a supporting role as Dan in the Vivamax film Showroom, released on November 11, which depicted real estate intrigue and marked his return to on-screen work despite the prior year's disruptions.^[26] The project, directed by Carlo Obispo, signaled initial industry willingness to re-engage, as Thompson expressed gratitude for the opportunity amid his efforts to rebuild.^[4] By 2023, he secured representation with Cornerstone Entertainment Inc., which facilitated steady bookings in television and film, including roles in ongoing series and independent productions.^[1] As of 2025, Thompson maintains an active schedule without reported major interruptions, evidenced by participation in the September 24 premiere of the adventure-comedy The Ride alongside Piolo Pascual and Kyle Echarri, directed by Thop Nazareno.^[27] Cornerstone announced his involvement in the upcoming MAVX Production film Common with Empoy Marquez, alongside teasers for the piso serye My Secret Self released in July and August, focusing on themes of self-discovery.^{[28] [29]} These engagements, combined with Thompson's public social media presence—including posts on personal home renovations—underscore sustained market demand and agency support, contrasting the acute setbacks of 2022.

Personal life

Relationships and family

Kit Thompson was born to a Filipino mother and a New Zealand father, reflecting his biracial heritage, with his mother influencing his Filipino roots and his father contributing New Zealand ancestry.^[30][10] No public information details siblings or extended family influences on his personal life. Thompson's most prominent romantic relationship was with actress Ana Jalandoni, which began in late 2021 and was publicly confirmed through social media posts of their first date on December 18, 2021.^[31] The couple made joint public appearances during this period, including instances of professional collaboration in entertainment projects.^[32] Their relationship ended in early 2022.^[33] Following the breakup, Thompson and Jalandoni maintained contact and described themselves as being on good terms by May 2024.^[7] Rumors of reconciliation surfaced in 2024, including speculation tied to social media activity, but both parties denied any rekindling, with fact-checks confirming no evidence of reunion.^[34][35] As of 2025, Thompson's relationship status remains undisclosed, with reports indicating he is single.^[33]

Legal controversies

2022 assault allegations

On March 18, 2022, actress Ana Jalandoni alleged that her boyfriend, Kit Thompson, physically assaulted her inside a hotel room in Tagaytay City, Cavite, following a misunderstanding.^[36][5] Jalandoni claimed Thompson struck her repeatedly, causing visible injuries including bruising and swelling to her face, which she documented in photos shared publicly shortly after the incident.^[37] She further stated that Thompson detained her against her will during the altercation.^[38][39] Jalandoni reported the incident to authorities via an emergency call, leading Tagaytay police to intervene and rescue her from the location.^[40] Thompson was arrested on site that same day and placed in custody on initial complaints of physical injury and illegal detention.^[41][42] In subsequent statements, Jalandoni expressed determination to file formal charges under Republic Act 9262, the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act, emphasizing Thompson's long-standing anger management problems as a contributing factor, which she said he had previously acknowledged.^[43][44] She described the assault as not the first instance of such behavior in their relationship.^[45] No immediate public response from Thompson regarding the allegations was reported at the time of his arrest.^[36] Jalandoni's account highlighted her intent to seek accountability, stating that while she still harbored feelings for him, the pursuit of legal action was necessary for justice.^[46][47]

Case proceedings and outcomes

The Philippine National Police filed two counts against Thompson for violating Republic Act No. 9262, the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, specifically for acts of physical violence including causing physical harm.^{[48] [49]} Thompson underwent inquest proceedings on March 18, 2022, following his arrest.^[36] Thompson posted bail amounting to P72,000 on March 22, 2022, and was released from detention the same day.^{[50] [51]} No public records indicate a trial conviction or final resolution as of October 2025, with the case appearing unresolved in reported judicial outcomes or potentially subject to private settlement, as inferred from Thompson's subsequent return to professional projects without legal impediments.^[50] Jalandoni initially expressed determination to pursue the charges, including potential additional counts for frustrated homicide, but by June 2022 stated she had forgiven Thompson as part of her personal healing process.^{[52] [53]} Media coverage and public discourse following the charges emphasized presumptive narratives of guilt based on allegations alone, often sidelining requirements for evidentiary proof in due process under Philippine law, which presumes innocence until conviction.^[36] Thompson faced immediate professional repercussions, including lost endorsements and project suspensions from networks citing zero-tolerance policies on violence allegations, though he later secured second opportunities in independent productions.^[50] Rumors of reconciliation surfaced in 2024, fueled by social media interpretations of Jalandoni's posts, but both parties denied rekindling a romantic relationship, with Thompson clarifying in September 2024 that they maintained cordial but separate lives amid ongoing personal tensions.^{[34] [54]} This absence of verified resolution underscores the distinction between unproven claims and legal findings, where charges do not equate to substantiated abuse without adjudication.^[34]

Filmography

Television roles

• Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition 4 (2012): Himself (housemate).^[14]
• Toda Max (2011): Kit (guest role, 105 episodes).^[55]
• Hearts on Fire (2012): Alberto "Ambet" Espiritu (supporting role, 150 episodes).^[55]
• Maalaala Mo Kaya (2012–2019): Various roles including Joni (2012), Billy (2019), and others across multiple episodes.^[18]
• Galema: Anak ni Zuma (2013): Dean Evangelista (supporting role, 130 episodes).^[55]
• Forevermore (2014): Julius San Juan (supporting role, 148 episodes).^[18]
• Fight for It! (2014): Enzo Valdez (guest role, 274 episodes).^[55]
• Born for You (2016): Himself (guest role, 65 episodes).^[55]
• Pamilya Ko (2019): James Carvajal / Ferdie Quisumbing (supporting role, 135 episodes).^[55]
• La Vida Lena (2020–2021): Miguel Villarica (main role; Season 1: 10 episodes, Season 2: 100 episodes, Season 3: 60 episodes).^[18]
• The Kangks Show (2021): Gary Salazar (supporting role, 8 episodes).^[55]
• Ang Babae Sa Likod Ng Face Mask (2022): Sieg (supporting role, 13 episodes).^[55]
• Ang Himala ni Nino (2024): Young Mars (supporting role, 140 episodes).^[55]
• My Secret Self (2025): Jake Zamora (main role, 40 episodes).^[55]

Film roles

Thompson's breakthrough film role was as Ping in #Y (2014), a youth-oriented drama that introduced him to wider audiences in Philippine cinema.^[16][18] In 2018, he portrayed Darwin, a supporting character in the romantic drama The Hows of Us, which became one of the highest-grossing Filipino films of its year with over 800,000 tickets sold in its opening weekend. Thompson took on leading roles in 2019, including Josh in the drama Belle Douleur (also known as Beautiful Pain), centered on themes of loss and recovery, and Marco in the anthology MOMOL Nights, exploring modern relationships.^[56] His 2021 credit was as Yael in Sarap Mong Patayin, a thriller involving themes of revenge and morality.^[19] In 2022, amid personal legal issues, Thompson appeared as Dan in Showroom, a crime drama about ambition and ethical compromises in real estate sales.^[57] He also played Elliot in Moonlight Butterfly that year, contributing to its ensemble cast in a story of family and redemption.^[56]

Awards and nominations

Thompson received a shared Special Citation for Ensemble Acting at the 2014 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival for his role in #Y.^[9] At the 4th GEMS Hiyas ng Sining Awards on February 13, 2020, he won Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for Mea Culpa: Sino Ang May Sala?.^[58]