A guy who wants to court Bianca must first get on her grandmother’s good side.
BIANCA Umali was pleasantly surprised when informed she’d be part of the big-budgeted GMA series, “Legal Wives” that now airs on primetime.
“They just told me about it when I renewed my contract with GMA,” she says. “Ako raw ang gaganap na third wife ni Dennis Trillo. Of course, nagulat ako, hindi pa nag-sink in agad sa akin. Sabi ko, ano pong third wife? But after they explained the show to me, tuwang-tuwa ako. This is my most mature role to date kasi misis ang role ko as one of the wives of Kuya Dennis. I’m so happy that after doing a cultural drama like ‘Sahaya’ na Badjao ako, here am I playing another ethnic character na Maranao naman.”
In “Legal Wives,” she plays Farrah, the daughter of Maricar de Mesa and Bernard Palanca.
She got raped then got pregnant and to save her and their family’s honor, Bernard asks Dennis, his best friend, to marry Bianca so she’d become one of his three wives.
Bianca says doing this show helped her understand better the Muslim culture and religion.
“I have no misconceptions about them as I don’t basta judge any culture or religion,” she says. “But I learned a lot about Muslims while taping for this show and taking all the briefings from our Muslim consultants. They’re really a peace-loving people at mataas ang pagpapahalaga nila sa pamilya.”
In real-life, would she agree to be one of the wives of her husband? “Ayoko pong magsalita nang tapos kasi baka in the future, ma-in love ako sa isang Muslim, hindi natin masasabi.
But I guess it will depend on how much you love that person. I know it will be a difficult situation but I think, if my heart would be willing to try it and if it’s really worth it, bakit naman po hindi?”
It’s common knowledge she and Ruru Madrid, who’s now taping his own show, “Lolong,” are playing beautiful music, but what will be her requirements for any guy who wants to get her heart?
“Naku, marami,” she laughed. “I think, number one is kailangang makuha muna niya ang puso ng Lola kong nagpalaki sa akin after my parents died. ‘Yun po talaga ang una, magugustuhan siya ng lola ko and she’ll tell me na mahal din niya ang magiging partner ko. Then I want him to be God-fearing, with good, well-grounded values in life.”
***
Ricky Davao was last seen in an acting role in TV5’s “Paano ang Pangako,” which he also co-directed. Now, he’s back with GMA directing the new afternoon series, “Nagbabagang Luha,” based on the hit 1988 film of National Artist Ishmael Bernal.
It stars Glaiza de Castro in the role originally played by Lorna Tolentino, Rayver Cruz (Gabby Concepcion before), Mike Tan (Richard Gomez before) and newcomer Claire Castro (Alice Dixson before). How did he adapt the film for TV?
“Siempre, we have to expand the material kasi the film is just two hours long, while the series will run for one season of 13 to 15 weeks,” he said. “We gave the characters of Glaiza as Maita and Claire as Cielo back stories nung bata pa sila. Their parents are Jaclyn Jose and Allan Paule. Jaclyn left their family and Glaiza became the very caring Ate of Claire, na naging sobrang pasaway naman noong lumaki. But the core of the story remains the same and nandun pa rin ang iconic scenes, like Cielo saying ‘Mamamatay ako’ and Maita answering ‘Ipalilibing kita’.”
Claire Castro is the daughter of former teen stars Diego Castro and Raven Villanueva. Did he personally get her for the show?
“GMA had an audition. Maraming nag-audition at si Claire ang napili nila. She surprised us as she’s good, hindi nagpalamon kina Glaiza at Rayver who are more experienced actors than her.”
“Nagbabagang Luha” will start airing on August 2. Direk Ricky said they have had two lock-in tapings for the series. After this, he has an offer to do a film abroad with foreign actors.
“I’m excited. It will also be filmed abroad and their market is also abroad. But no details yet. They’re now writing the first draft of the script then we will have a pre-production meeting. Sana, matuloy.”
***
Congressman Alfred Vargas just got his master’s degree from the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance and he had his virtual graduation last Sunday.
“It was a big challenge to finish my masters considering how busy I am, but bawat segundo ng buhay ko inilalaan ko talaga sa important things sa buhay ko,” he said. “Nahirapan ako but nagli-leave of absence ako sa work every now and then for my studies. It took me about four years to finish this academically.”
So after a masteral degree, he now intends to pursue a doctorate degree in urban planning.
“Dapat kasi talaga, tuloy-tuloy ang learnings mo, not only in school but also outside through actual experience. One of the best sources of knowledge when it comes to public administration is NCPAG. After I graduated at the Ateneo, dapat I will take up law kasi ‘yun ang request ng mom ko, dumiretso ako sa pag-aartista. Nagalit ang mom ko. But later, when she saw me sa ‘Encantadia,’ she said, sige ok lang, but basta pursue graduate studies. So, heto graduate na ko sa M.A. and this is a promise fulfilled to my mom. Sa graduation ko nga, I remembered and felt na sana, nandito siya.”
He and Dennis Trillo belong to the same Star Circle Batch 10 launched in 2001, along with Bea Alonzo. All of them are now with GMA-7 and Alfred plays a supporting role as Dennis’ ill-fated older brother in the current hit drama series, “Legal Wives.” So is he now satisfied with playing short supporting roles?
“Part time lang talaga ako puede sa showbiz, kasi sobrang busy ako with my work sa congress,” said Alfred. “Pinipili ko na lang talaga ang gusto ko. Hindi rin ako puede sa lock-in taping na one month kayo sa location. Sa ‘Legal Wives,’ bale three days lang ako. Wife ko rito si Alice Dixson, but I die in a clan war so, si Dennis, bale he inherits my wife na nabiyuda. Ngayon nga may other offers but priority ko ang public service, lalo na ngayong panay ang ulan, we monitor sites sa district ko na binabaha.”
