After starring in the drama series “Magandang Dilag” as the plain-looking and witty Gigi, Herlene Budol headlines another GMA Afternoon Prime series “Binibining Marikit” as the hard-working and cheerful tour guide Marikit or Ikit. It has given the beauty queen, comedienne, host and social media influencer the chance to further learn the ropes of acting from seasoned stars such as Pokwang. The latter can do comedy or drama in one project and even both in another.
“Binibining Marikit” premieres today at 2:30 p.m.
“Madalas po ako yung magtanong sa kanya (I often ask her for advice or guidance),” said Herlene, giving one an idea about the working dynamics between her and Pokwang, also known as “Mamang” to colleagues, in a recent press conference. “Siyempre, kasi si Mamang hindi naman bida-bida na bigla na lang mag-a-advise sa akin (Of course, she’s not the type to offer advice without my asking first). So, ako po yung unang nagtatanong talaga (gaya ng), ‘Mang, tama po ba ito?’ ‘Mang, OK po bang atake ‘to?’ ‘Mang, ganito po ba dapat?’ (I’m really the one asking her if this approach is right or OK and about the way to do it). Laging dapat (ako ang) mag-approach kay Mamang ng mga ganun kasi beterana na po si Mamang (she is a veteran and experienced in this field). I really look up to her.”
So, Herlene values pieces of advice that Pokwang has given her.
Dreaming of one day when she could collaborate with her idol on a project, Herlene shared a fun anecdote about the fulfillment of ticking that off on her wish list. She and Pokwang had a conversation and Herlene expressed her interest in working with the latter. If there was a new project in the offing, she would learn it from her handler. This time around, it was Pokwang, her eventual co-star in “Binibining Marikit,” who revealed the good news.
“Sabi niya sa ‘kin, ‘Nak, ano ready ka na ba?’ Ang sabi ko, ‘Na ano?’ …sa ‘Binibining Marikit (She said, ‘Are you ready?’ And I answered back, ‘For what? And she continued by saying, ‘in ‘Binibining Marikit.)’ So, nung una ko pong narinig sa kanya yun, naiyak pa ho ako (when I first heard it from her, I cried),” recalled she.
“Parang kakabangit ko lang sa kanya na ‘Mang, sana maka-trabaho kita.’ Tapos, nagulat po ako na sa kanya pa rin nanggaling (pa yun). (I just mentioned my wish to her and then the good news came straight from her). Kumbaga dream come true po yung ‘Binibining Marikit’ para sa akin (It was a dream come true for me that she and I are part of the TV series).”
Aside from that, Herlene is also working with actor Tony Labrusca and Kevin Dasom, winner of Manhunt International 2024 and an Irish-Thai model, as her leading men.
Director of “Binibining Marikit” is Jorron Lee Monroy, who was also at the helm of “Shining Inheritance.”
“First and foremost, ‘Shining Inheritance’ was a family drama and a heavy drama. It revolved around the lives of rich people,” said he. “Visually, you would (see the characters in) mansions, modern offices and restaurants. (The setting was) Metro Manila. With ‘Binibining Marikit,’ it is also dramatic and cinematic, but there’s an add-on of romance and comedy. Dun pa lang sa mixture na yun, iba na kaagad yung vibe na binibigay ng show. As shown in the AVP, we would shoot (scenes) on a mountain, cross a river and climb a mountain to form (and tell) this show.” Doing so is given since Ikit, the character of Herlene, is a tour guide and a vlogger.
Since the story is told with the mountains of Brgy. Daraitan in Tanay, Rizal as the backdrop, Herlene, a Rizaleño, was in awe of the beautiful environmental spots that her hometown can offer to locals and visitors. The scenic landscape includes mountains and rivers. It will also be featured in “Binibining Marikit.”
Part of the narrative is a tribe that is on the verge of getting affected by a development project. The show’s message is about taking care and saving the environment, said Herlene, and the beauty of having a harmonious relationship between family, friends and people in the community. “It’s not just about respect to people, but also respect to the environment. You will learn how to love (and learn more about) the child-and-parent love and the love of people for the environment),” she concluded.
Watch “Binibining Marikit” from Mondays to Saturdays on GMA Afternoon Prime.