Bianca Umali challenged in her first major soap, Agustin dela Cruz’s 'Mga Basang Sisiw'

Kapuso teen actress Bianca Umali was all smiles during the press conference of the newest GMA Afternoon Prime show, Agustin dela Cruz’s Mga Basang Sisiw. Umali plays Faye in the drama series.

Mga Basang Sisiw is inspired by the 1981 film of the same title, directed by Agustin dela Cruz. The story revolves around the lives of happily married couple, Froilan (Raymond Bagatsing) and Olivia (Lani Mercado). They have five kids: Faye (Bianca Umali), Justin (Renz Valerio), Shine (Kimberly Faye), Cha (Hershey Garcia) and Mickey (Miko Zarsadias).

Things go haywire for the family when Olivia catches Froilan with her cousin, Vicky (Maxene Magalona). Olivia leaves Froilan and takes her kids with her. Unfortunately, their plane crashes and only the kids survive. As authorities search for Olivia, an accident renders Froilan incapacitated and bedridden. Vicky takes charge as Froilan’s partner and the kids’ guardian, driving the kids to leave home and roam around the streets. Unbeknownst to them, Olivia is still alive in a far-flung island, looking for her kids as well. Will the kids reunite with Olivia? Will their family have a chance to be complete again?

GMANetwork.com caught up with Bianca Umali during the press launch of her show. When asked to describe her role, the Tropang Potchi host replied, “Ako dito si Faye. Since she’s the eldest, she’s a mom-like ate. Idol na idol ni Faye dito ‘yung mom niya. She’s spoiled, but she’s smart and responsible even though she’s really sheltered.”

Umali revealed that her character, Faye is her opposite in real life. She shared, “Talagang magkaiba kami ni Faye. I mean, I don’t have a car. Sumasakay ako ng jeep, tricycle, MRT, and nagbu-bus pa rin ako sometimes. Si Faye, siya ‘yung mayaman, siya dito ‘yung tipong maiwanan lang sa gitna ng kalye, takot na takot na, so medyo challenge din kasi hiwalay siya sa buhay ko in real life, but it’s also nice kasi na-eexplore ko ‘yung craft ko.”

In order to get into character, Umali stated that she always prepares for any role before taping even starts. “‘Pag dumating sa akin ‘yung script, babasahin ko agad, lahat aaralin ko. Also, we had a 3-day workshop before we started taping,” Umali said.

The newest Kapuso drama actress is also excited to be working in the midst of veteran actors like Raymond Bagatsing, Lani Mercado, Gardo Versoza and Caridad Sanchez.

“Since this is my first major soap, masaya kasi big stars din ‘yung kasama ko. Talagang it’s a new environment. Kumbaga, sometimes, nakakastarstruck na katabi mo nalang sila. Hindi ko inimagine ‘yung sarili ko na makakaeksena ko sila ng ganito,” shared Umali.

She also enjoys working with her younger co-stars. “With the kids, they make it fun. Even though na mabigat ‘yung scene, ang nangyayari is we keep on laughing with each other. Kapag work, we do work and kapag playtime, we play with them. Parang as an ate, I also want to make them feel comfortable, so they could understand everything,” stated Umali.

Catch Bianca Umali in her first drama series, Agustin dela Cruz’s Mga Basang Sisiw on GMA Afternoon Prime. --Text by Samantha Portillo, GMANetwork.com