Bianca’s second wind

MANILA, Philippines - Just when Bianca King thought that she’s completely out of the showbiz radar, ABS-CBN’s latest afternoon drama series Pusong Ligaw comes along and swings her back into the acting scene.

“I’m excited and this is like a second wind for me,” says Bianca whose last TV acting appearance was two years ago. “Honestly, I thought my time in showbiz was over but I’m very thankful that Star Creatives offered me this project.”

Bianca is pertaining to her grey-shaded character in Pusong Ligaw. She plays Marga who, at the beginning of the story, is a 16-year-old aspiring beauty queen determined to succeed in life. She shares the same goal with her best friend Tessa (Beauty Gonzales) who dreams about becoming a fashion designer. They promise to stick together until they both succeed. But Marga is secretly in love with Tessa’s boyfriend Caloy (Joem Bascon). She betrays Tessa and sleeps with Caloy.

Bianca relates that she didn’t think long and hard about accepting the role which she describes as totally different from all her past portrayals. Besides, she adds, starring in a Kapamilya soap is a realization of her dream.

“But I chose not to tell about it to any of my friends the first time I learned that I would be working here in ABS because there was this fear that there might be still changes in the story or casting, na baka mapalitan pa ako or the show will not air yet so I really kept it like a deep dark secret,” she tells.

It took months when Bianca finally shared the good news to her friends, first and foremost to Iza Calzado “but I cannot tell what we have talked about because it’s very personal basta she’s happy for me and I think it was a very good mindset for me to go into ABS with the beginner’s mind. Everything is new to me.”

The 32-year-old actress finds her co-stars and the soap’s production team a breeze to work with. The cast initially had an acting workshop and Bianca instantly hit well with Beauty. “We really, really became close to the point of going out together when there’s no work or we go to each other’s houses. We even traveled together in Bangkok last week.

“With Sofia (who plays her teenaged daughter Vida), part of my preparation was to become close to her so months before taping, I would always invite her out, chika to my house or eat out together,” reveals Bianca who admits that it is important for her to get along well with the people she works with.

“It makes the work experience more enjoyable and easy kasi syempre if you’re not okay with your co-workers then everything feels heavy. And it is always nice — especially for me who is new here in ABS — to have a real and sincere relationship with everyone you’re working with.”

The drama series Obsessions aired on TV5 was her last heavy drama project. Hosting for events and writing stories for publication and for her travel blog kept her busy when acting offers began to dry up. No wonder, Bianca initially had her doubts and worries during the first week of taping of Pusong Ligaw. She had to convince herself that she can still act. There were also times when she was clueless on what to do. Good thing, directors GB San Pedro and Henry Quitain were always there to point out the right acting approach.

“To be honest, I was initially terrified of the idea of finally setting foot here; it was surreal but all my fears banished because of their guidance. Of course, I am thankful to all the staff and my co-stars who did just not make me feel welcome but they also made me feel like their family and friend right away.”

She continues, “Direk Henry is very patient, actually all of them, they inspire you to give your best na kahit one month na natapos yung shoot ng scene but they noticed that you can still give the best performance, then we will do the scene again. Their attention to details is amazing and for an actor, it’s flattering to know that you are part of the show where everyone gives his/her full attention so it’s such a blessing to be part of a project na binubusisi talaga.”

Bianca considers the heavy drama scenes that televiewers are about to see in the pilot week starting today, as the most challenging part of her role. She accidentally had a cut on her knee and some bruises on her body while doing one confrontation scene.

What does she find attractive with her role?

“It’s the journey of the character kasi sa pilot week pa lang, you’ll see that she will gradually age and as an actor, I need to let the audience see her transformation — from a 16-year-old lass until she reaches the age of 30 who is already a mom to a teener. So ako iniisip ko talaga kung ano ang kilos dapat ng 16, 18, 20, 26 until 30 plus years old. It really keeps me on my toes how to portray this character.”

(Pusong Ligaw also stars Diego Loyzaga, Raymund Bagatsing and Enzo Pineda.)