Bamba Leelin Cruz (born Marvee Lou Basa Leelin; August 8, 1979) is a Filipina former child actress and entrepreneur. She rose to fame in the 1980s as one of the country’s most beloved child stars, winning the

FAMAS Award The Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards, or simply the FAMAS Awards, are the annual honors given by the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS), an organization composed of writers and movie columnists, for achieveme ...

for Best Child Actress for her role in ''Moomoo'' (1985). After retiring from the entertainment industry, she pursued studies in

production design In film industry, film and television, a production designer is the individual responsible for the overall aesthetic of the story. The production design gives the viewers a sense of the time period, the plot location, and character actions and ...

and later built a career in fashion and jewelry entrepreneurship.

Early life and education

Leelin was born in

Manila, Philippines Manila, officially the City of Manila, is the capital and second-most populous city of the Philippines after Quezon City, with a population of 1,846,513 people in 2020. Located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay on the island of Luzon, it is ...

, to Pascual Tancioco Leelin Jr. and Violeta Basa Leelin. She is one of three full siblings: her sister Lana Leelin Reyes and brother Benjo Leelin. Her family is linked to the founding lineage of

Goldilocks Bakeshop Goldilocks Bakeshop is a bakery chain based in the Philippines, which produces and distributes Philippine cakes and pastries. History On May 15, 1966, Chinese Filipino sisters, Milagros Leelin Yee and Clarita Leelin Go, and their sister-i ...

, one of the Philippines' most iconic food chains. Her father, Pascual Tancioco Leelin Jr., is the younger brother of Milagros Leelin Yee and Clarita Leelin Go, the original co-founders of Goldilocks in 1966. Leelin studied at OB Montessori and

Colegio San Agustin – Makati Colegio San Agustín – Makati, also referred to by its acronym CSA or CSA-Makati, is a private, Catholic, co-educational basic education institution run by the Augustinian Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus of the Philippines of the Or ...

, and completed her degree in

Production Design In film industry, film and television, a production designer is the individual responsible for the overall aesthetic of the story. The production design gives the viewers a sense of the time period, the plot location, and character actions and ...

De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde The De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde (; ), also known as DLS-CSB or Benilde, is a private, Catholic secondary and tertiary education institution established by the De La Salle Brothers, located in the Malate district of Manila, Philippin ...

Career

Leelin began acting at the age of 4, first appearing in ''Little Miss Philippines'' on ''

Eat Bulaga! ''Eat !'' (; stylized as ''Eat... Bulaga!'') is a Television in the Philippines, Philippine television variety show broadcast by Radio Philippines Network, ABS-CBN, GMA Network and TV5 (Philippine TV network), TV5. Originally hosted by Tito S ...

''. Her breakout role in ''Moomoo'' (1985) led to her receiving a

at age six. She went on to appear in numerous fantasy and comedy films throughout the late 1980s and became one of the most recognizable child stars of the era. She also appeared in the drama series ''

Gulong ng Palad ''Gulong ng Palad'' (International title: ''Stand for Love'' / ) is a 2006 Philippine television drama broadcast by ABS-CBN. Directed by Erick C. Salud and Jerome Chavez Pobocan, it stars Kristine Hermosa and TJ Trinidad. The series is based ...

'' and joined the Tuesday group of the teen variety show '' That's Entertainment'' on

GMA Network GMA Network (an acronym of its legal name, Global Media Arts and commonly known as GMA) is a Television in the Philippines, Philippine commercial broadcast network, serving as the flagship property of publicly traded GMA Network (company), ...

Business ventures

After her showbiz career, Leelin partnered with her sister Lana to launch a clothing brand, which was carried by select SM department stores. In the 2020s, she founded The Tatted Jeweller, a fine jewelry label marketed on Instagram, known for its storytelling-driven gold pieces and custom designs.

Personal life

Leelin married Jesus “Jay” Tan Cruz in 2005. They have one daughter, Jaela. She remains known for her grounded and creative personality, maintaining strong family ties and continuing to influence fashion and design circles.

Public image and legacy

Leelin is considered a defining figure in the “Golden Age” of Filipino child stardom. Her performances have been celebrated in pop culture retrospectives, and she was profiled by Philippine

Tatler ''Tatler'' (stylised in all caps) is a British magazine published by Condé Nast Publications. It focuses on fashion and lifestyle, as well as coverage of high society and politics. It is targeted towards the British upper and upper-middle c ...

in 2016 for her transition from showbiz to entrepreneurship.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and honors

for Best Child Actress – ''Moomoo'' (1986)

References

External links

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The Tatted Jeweller on Instagram

Philippine Tatler Profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bamba Leelin Cruz Living people 1979 births Filipino child actresses Filipino television actresses Filipino women in business 20th-century Filipino actresses Actresses from Manila Filipino film actresses