Bianca: 18 and in control

MANILA, Philippines — Bianca Umali has officially stepped into womanhood after turning 18 last March 2. She is now an adult and, therefore, that one-liner ‘hindi pa pwede yan, minor pa yan,’ she would often hear from older companions, is no longer applicable to her. Of course, Bianca also now has the absolute freedom to do everything she pleases.

However, Bianca has already been in control of her life — making decisions big and small — with the guidance of her paternal grandmother. Her parents died when she was very young. That’s why, Bianca has learned to live independently even though she has older half-siblings from her parents’ respective past relationships.

“Ever since, I’ve been in charge of my life like I do the budgeting, taking care of the expenses and I think I am doing everything right,” said Bianca who spoke with finesse, occasionally giggling while fielding questions from the press. “I still have my limitations of course, kumbaga ‘yung mga limitations ko nung minor pa ako, I still have them and I am not really looking forward to anything because I just want to go with the flow na kung papaano tatakbo yung buhay ko now that I’m 18.”

One restriction she set on herself is about going sexy. Bianca smiled when reminded how many people were surprised on her recent Instagram post which showed her on a beach in Sorsogon clad in a black two-piece swimwear. The said post earned over 269,000 likes and positive comments from both Bianca’s fans and celebrity friends.

The GMA Artist Center talent cleared that it was not her intention to flaunt her curves just because she’s already of age but “because it is normal for us to post our pictures and that one I really found beautiful so I posted it. I had fun reading comments like ‘yung kay Bea (Binene) kasi kahit sila they’re not used to seeing me like that pero hindi po s’ya something as if telling that I’m ready to go sexy. I am not ready, wala pa po sa plano ko.”

Bianca, too, is not yet comfortable with love scenes. Her Kapuso production family also understands what she can only do onscreen. The actress is grateful to them for always considering her thoughts on doing a love scene. “They always ask me before they make me do things like that and I make it a point to tell them what I can and cannot do.”

Asked if she’s ready to tackle mature roles in future projects, Bianca said that she would welcome every acting assignment as long as the role does not require her to go beyond her limits. 

These days, Bianca is busy with Kambal Karibal which she topbills with onscreen partner Miguel Tanfelix. The primetime series is said to be doing well in the TV ratings game. Bianca revealed that when she agreed to do the project, she didn’t expect anything knowing how stiff the competition is among shows on the primetime block. “Basta ang mindset ko ay to work hard and give my best to the role without expecting high ratings because you never know at ayan na nga ang ganda na.” 

It truly works to her advantage, she added, when she takes things one step at a time. That way, she is able to weigh all the pros and cons before committing herself to anything. “Mindset ko ngayon is self-improvement not just with my work but also in all aspects of my life.”

Apart from being an actress, Bianca takes pride in being an advocate for education. It was stated in the press release that she had an advocacy with Miguel dubbed as Pass A Book Ni BiGuel in 2016. They invited their followers to donate pre-loved books that were then given to their chosen public schools in the country. In 2017, Bianca was hailed as the World Youth Vision Ambassador for Education. Although she started early in showbiz, Bianca never set aside the value of education as she tries to find time for school in spite of her showbiz commitments.

Now that she has entered adulthood, Bianca is all the more ready to make her future brighter. “I have goals that I want to achieve and I am excited to discover more of myself as I accomplish each of them.” Among her goals is to travel outside of the country particularly Japan, Greece and the US.

Bianca will be celebrating her milestone with a debut party on March 17 at the EDSA Shangri-La Plaza with family and friends from in and out of showbiz. Dubai-based Filipino designer Fay Reyes created the two gowns she will wear at the party.

As to her party’s theme, Bianca said, “There is no such theme because everything is based on what I want kumbaga mahirap po s’ya i-describe basta it’s about me — Simply Bianca.”