Bea’s Fujifilm experience: Smile, you’re on camera!

MANILA, Philippines – Bea Alonzo thrives in tearjerkers that deal with romantic and family relationships. She immerses in the moment, tapping the being of the character with grit.

Then, Bea is off to deliver emotion-filled dialogues like “Sana ako pa rin. Ako na lang. Ako na lang ulit,” which could be the perfect hugot lines for romantics, giving love a good fight. Moviegoers have seen it before in One More Chance with perennial onscreen partner John Lloyd Cruz and recently in the record-breaking A Second Chance, again with John Lloyd.

With her undeniable onscreen chemistry with John Lloyd and their undeniable ability to essay reel characters into something real, Bea and John Lloyd are considered to be this generation’s Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon, who have made a career blueprint for stars dreaming of that longevity in acting.                    

“It is very flattering to be compared to them,” replied Bea, endorser of Fujifilm, when asked about that comparison made by showbiz watchers. “For me, it’s tough to be compared to them and live up to that name or category. I think I would want to make a name for myself or to have my own category. So I wouldn’t get pressured with the next projects I would do. I appreciate it and it is overwhelming.”

Although the tag may be too much to handle for Bea, who has just made a foothold in the biz, it only tells her that drama is her department. 

‘After years of traveling, I realized that I should have a camera that would really capture the beauty of what I see.’

“Maybe it is my strength but I would love to explore other areas (of acting),” she said. “I cannot just put myself in one box or maybe I have a box but I always have to enlarge that box and offer something else.” As a performer, Bea added that she doesn’t believe in structures and categories.

Thus, acting is acting to Bea, regardless of genres and narrative structures. “A story is a story,” she said. The actor’s primary role is to provide the emotions needed in every scene and in each storytelling, which also differs in every project. Bea will try to star in and portray as many varied stories and roles as she can. 

“Now that I’m getting older, I want to do more quality (films) like the ones that I have done in the past,” she shared. “Maybe I’m growing up and I’m learning a lot of things about this job and about my craft, mas siguro pagtutuunan ko ng pansin yung exploring other areas (of acting) and characters.”

With that, Bea considers acting as a calling and snagging an acting trophy as an icing on the cake, so to speak. 

“Whenever I create a character and do certain projects, (getting an award) is never my goal. My goal is not to impress or to win. To me, winning is just a validation of your work. It makes you feel you’re doing something right. To me, as cliché as it may sound, this is my calling, and I think there’s a greater purpose why I’m doing this, which is to touch lives. Para sa akin kasi ginagawa ko ito dahil, biruin mo ang hirap ng buhay sa Pilipinas, para manuod ka ng isang pelikula at maalis ang problema mo for two hours, para sa akin achievement yun. (But if I ever got an award,) I would be thankful.”

After A Second Chance, which is now on its third week of screening and has raked in almost P500M at the tills, Bea said she will do another movie to be shown middle of next year and a teleserye to be premiered in the latter part of that year. The Kapamilya actress, however, deserves a break away from the klieg lights.

“I travel,” Bea said. “I find it therapeutic and it makes me breathe in. Para maghugas nung character, para makalimot, para magkaroon ng fresh start. I accept projects that challenge me. They are food for my soul. If the character I portray challenges me, I don’t get weary. You get tired only when you don’t love what you do. Maybe it is about choices. If you choose something you don’t really love or you choose something out of money or for the sake of doing something, dun ka lang mabu-burn out. If you believe in something that you do, then mas magtatagal yung love mo sa craft mo at sa industriya na ito.”

Speaking of recharging batteries, Bea can’t live without a reliable and handy camera like Fujifilm in trips abroad.

“When I started traveling before, I didn’t realize that I needed a good camera to take pictures of my travels. Before, I was a believer of savoring the moment. I didn’t take pictures. I believed you should be enjoying the moment and not distracted by taking pictures. After years of traveling, I realized there were travels I forgot and I couldn’t remember them. I realized that I should have a camera that would really capture the beauty of what I see. Hindi talaga na ca-capture the way I see it, the background, lights, the scenery, the food that I eat.”

And Bea’s first camera was FUJIFILM X-A2. She learned about it by checking out some models in the Internet. Her search included reading reviews. “The reviews were all good about X-A2. True enough, I enjoyed (using) it much. I like its wi-fi feature and mode wherein you can transfer the photo straight from your camera to your phone and post it to your Instagram or to what social media account you have, it is very convenient for me.”

Aside from X-A2, Bea said she also enjoys Instax, instant camera, especially when she is hosting a party, where taking pictures with friends is a form of entertainment. “They bring the pictures home; the pictures also serve as giveaways after the party. I think it is a good gift this Christmas.”

As a pleasant surprise, Fujifilm cameras were also used as props in A Second Chance. “Nagkataon lang, baka meant to be kami ng Fujifilm,” Bea said in jest. According to some source, the camera model Instax Mini 25 used by characters Popoy and Basha in the movie is now sold out in the stores. There are other Fujifilm models that anyone can purchase.

With a successful movie and an upcoming small-screen project, Bea said she is in the lookout in ways to enrich herself.

“They would always ask me, especially this season, about my New Year’s resolution,” she said. “I tell them, I don’t want to make any resolutions anymore, kasi normally di ko naman natutupad. I will only make goals, sabi ko i-enrich ko na lang sarili ko sa ibang bagay. Kumuha ng ibang facets aside from acting para di rin ako ma-burn out, siguro I will study photography or make it a hobby. Maybe I will do it.”

And who knows? Bea might play a photographer — enthusiast or professional — in her next project. She will give in since she has the muscle memory to do it.