Kaira Venus Ebora Capito (born December 7, 1994) better known by her stage name as Kayley Carrigan, is a Filipino stuntwoman and actor. She made her screen debut in GMA Network's Encantadia (2016), and some of her most notable stunt works including BuyBust, Maria and FPJ's Batang Quiapo. In 2024, she starred as one of the Police Death Squad in the hard-action film Topakk.
Early life and education
Kaira Venus Ebora Capito was born on December 7, 1994, in Sta. Cruz, Manila. She is the youngest of four siblings. Her father is a retired employee, and her mother teaches nursing. At the age of 6, she discovered her first love of dancing.
Carrigan studied high school at Juan Sumulong Memorial Junior College and graduated in 2011. During high school, she doubted joining the Taekwondo club, despite having taken lessons in Physical Education since grade school and even having participated once in an inter-school sports competition in Rizal. However, after giving it some thought, she followed her passion and joined the JSMJC Theater Arts (now known as the Sumulong Dance Company).
Carrigan graduated from ICCT Colleges with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree in 2014. She became a member, dancer, and choreographer of the ICCT SIBOL Theatrical Group (SIBOL acronym as Saliw ng mga Istilong Bago at Orihinal na Likha/transl. Accompaniment of New Style and Original Creation).
Career
Dance
Carrigan pursued her passion after graduating from college and joined IOX Entertainment (formerly known as Powered iOX). She performed in various events and competitions across the province in the Philippines. At the age of 21, having developed professionalism as a dancer, she took a long hiatus.
Stunts and Acting
While participating as an extra on TV5's drama fantasy anthology series LolaBasyang.com (a modern adaptation of Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang). Carrigan was noticed by veteran stuntman and fight director, Benzon Dalina. Her athletic physique and dancing skills impressed him, leading him to offer her the opportunity to train in stunts and cinematic fights.
Carrigan on her first acting experience as the Carcero warden in Encantadia (2016).
After a few months, she received an opportunity to kickstart her career in stunt and acting in the entertainment industry. Her first project was the 2016 TV series Encantadia. She then went on to work for other TV shows such as Maynila, Mars Ravelo's Darna, Voltes V: Legacy and FPJ's Batang Quiapo. She also worked in several films like BuyBust, Maria, Day Zero, Shake, Rattle & Roll Extreme and Topakk.
Carrigan became an action choreographer for Chocolate Factory's music video "Paglipad" (transl. 'Flight') featuring Gloc-9, which was released on their YouTube channel. On the 14th Anniversary of It's Showtime's Magpasikat 2023, she worked as a stunt choreographer for Team KALM. Where Karylle had a fight performance along with her fellow main cast members of Encantadia (2005 TV series). The big reunion of the original Sang'gres became trending on social media.
In August 2024, Carrigan and her fellow stunt performers started their action design company called Elite Action Design.
Wrestling
Carrigan as Jorelle Liwanag in 2018.
In 2018, Carrigan underwent intensive training in wrestling and became one of the rosters in the Manila Wrestling Federation under the name Jorelle Liwanag. Her wrestling persona was a combination of a priestess and a white lady based on a well-known ghost story in the Philippines, which lent her performances an eerie and captivating presence to wrestling and horror fans.[1][2] She stated that she is a big fan of Jeff Hardy, John Morrison, and Finn Balor.
Music
Carrigan produced her EDM/Deep House songs in 2014 and published them on her SoundCloud account under the name KVeC (an acronym of her real name). Later, she changed her genre to Lo-Fi and released her songs under the name WELCOMETOTHENEXTLEVEL in December 2020. She named herself after the slogan from the Sega Genesis video game console.
Personal life
In July 2024, Carrigan went viral after being bashed from an anonymous Facebook page's post regarding a behind-the-scenes video of FPJ's Batang Quiapo. She was seen as a stunt double of the actress Kim Domingo, where Domingo was rehearsing their fight scene alongside actor and director Coco Martin. Followed by other netizens and trolls engaged in negative reactions and comments specifically targeting Carrigan's facial and physical appearance, leading her to address the issue on her Facebook account. Many online users, even her family, friends and co-workers in the showbiz industry supported her as they highlighted her unwavering commitment to professionalism on set, performing cinematic fight scenes and risky stunts, especially doubling various actresses including Julia Montes, Cristine Reyes, Iza Calzado and more. Some of her closest friends and colleagues describe her off-screen persona as "kind-hearted, friendly, and genuinely good person".[3][4][5] A few days later, in a recent Facebook post from Carrigan, she shared her gratitude for the increasing number of followers on her social media. Expressing gratitude to her bashers, as well as her friends, family, colleagues, and supporters who have shown love and support for her.[6]
