Ang Pinaka features 10 Kapuso kontrabidas you love to hate

GMA News TV's award-winning infotainment program "Ang Pinaka" named their top 10 Kapuso female antagonists who never fail to be entertainingly detestable in their kontrabida roles.

GMA News Entertainment reporter Cata Tibayan, GMA Entertainment TV director Mark dela Cruz, and 97.1 Barangay LS Chika Master Chiko Tito joined "Ang Pinaka"  host Rovilson Fernandez as they assessed what it takes to be the "Ang Pinaka: Buwisit na Kapuso Kontrabida."

Starting at number 10, here are the talented actresses who give life to the best Kapuso baddies.

10. Therese Malvar: She can play anything

Therese Malvar

Therese hasn't played any lead roles in a teleserye just yet, but she played antagonist roles in "Magpakailanman," "Rhodora X" and "Haplos." She has also won Best Supporting Actress awards for two films, "School Service" and "Distance."

Direk Mark sees Therese as someone who can play any role. "'Yung nakikita ko sa kaniya, hindi siya pwedeng ma-typecast as kontrabida," he said.

"Pwede siyang umikot kung anumang character ang pwede mong ibigay kay Therese, malalim rin siyang umarte."

9. Kate Valdez: Bringing depth to the role

Kate has played significant kontrabida roles, including Mira in Encantadia. Now she's starring as the spoiled brat, Natalie, in GMA's primetime series "Onanay."

Cata noted that Kate's Encantadia performance was not a two-dimensional one.

"Kita na rin natin ang galing niya sa Encantadia, na ramdam natin 'yung pagiging inggitera niya—hindi lang inggetera, 'yung pagiging longing na magkaroon ng isang nanay," Cata said.

Direk Mark added that Kate is effective with her "mean girl" look.

"Unang tingin mo mukha siyang mananampal, unang tingin mo mukha rin siyang mananakit, 'yung para siyang Mean Girls yung peg niya yun ang unang tingin sa kaniya," he said.

8. Barbara Miguel: 'Kaya ko iyan'

Barbara Miguel

Barbara is no screen neophyte. She's been great in "Munting Heredera" and "Biritera" when she was younger, and has played lead roles in indie films such as "Nuwebe," winning the Best Actress award at the 2013 Harlem International Film Festival in New York.

For Direk Mark, Barbara is an effective kontrabida, saying that her natural high-pitched voice and "mean" eyebrows instantly give off the villain vibe.

"Bata pa siya nakikita ko siya sa Munting Heredera e nakakairita siya e. Naalala ko we were doing 'I Heart you' with Alden parang kinaiinisan siya. Nabasa ko iyon na parang kinaiinisan siya sa social media kasi nga may pagkamatinis yung boses niya e at the same time 'yung itsura, niya 'yung kilay napakasungit, parang nakataas na yung kilay. Mukha na talaga siyang kontrabida," he said.

Cata said despite her young age, Barbara faces challenges head on.

"Kapag sinabi mo sa kanya, kontrabida ka, 'Okay, kaya ko iyan.' Nai-in-vibe agad niya; ganun siya kagaling for a very young person," Cata said.

7. Kim Rodriguez: Perfect kontrabida face

Kim Rodriguez

Kim took a lead role in the 2013 series "Kakambal in Eliana" before getting the kontrabida role as Claire Sandoval-Esguerra in "Hanggang Makita Kang Muli." She currently plays Ericka in "Inday Will Always Love You."

Cata said that Kim has that sexy vibe that may be intimidating—and great for on-screen villainy.

"Si Kim kasi ang perfect picture ng isang stereotype kontrabida: sexy, laging nakasuot ng sexy clothes, naka high heels siya, 'yung laging intimidated na ex-girlfriend kasi maganda siya. Iyon si Kim," Cata said.

Direk Mark thinks Kim's face helps make her a great kontrabida. "'Yung construction ng face niya, ito 'yung sinasabi kong kokontrabidahin ang itsura. Unang tingin mo pa lang, alam mong mataray. Alam mong mananakit. Alam mong mananampal. Alam mong pasugod anytime. So 'yung face niya siguro yung strength ni Kim Rodriguez. Kahit di pa siya magsalita, alam mong maldita siya."

6. Isabelle de Leon: The eyes have it

Isabelle De Leon

Former child actress Isabelle took on her first role as a kontrabida in "Magkaibang Mundo" in 2016 as Sofie Perez. More recently, she played Taylor Garcia, Julie Anne San Jose's opponent in "My Guitar Princess."

For Direk Mark and Chiko, Isabelle's expressive eyes are among her strengths.

"Sobrang laki ng eyes ni Isabelle de Leon, so kapag nagbukas ang mata niya, so matatakot ka sa kanya e, so parang anytime mananakit," Direk Mark said.

"'Yung mata niya nangungusap, lalo na kapag 'yung camera tumutok, nag-close up na sa mata niya nangungusap na. Si Isabelle, mata lang kontrang kontra na, kontrabidang kontrabida na," Chiko said.

5. Rita Daniela: Transformation

Rita Daniela

Rita was launched as the Grand Champion of QTV's "Popstar Kids" and was part of the singing group Sugarpop. As an actor, she had antagonist roles in "Impostora," "Let the Love Begin," and "The One That Got Away."

She is now playing Aubrey in the GMA afternoon series, "My Special Tatay."

Rita also dared to pose sexy and be body-positive, which Chiko thinks is what makes her effective, "Sabi kasi nila ang pagiging kontrabida dapat sexy. 'Yung bida hindi masyadong sexy, actually hindi talaga sexy ang mga bida, losyang manamit, naka T-shirt, naka duster, api-apian, pero ang mga kontrabida kamukha ni Rita Daniela: sexy magdamit at laging superior ang dating. Lipstick, makeup, lahat sexy Rita Daniela."

Direk Mark said that during the times he worked with Rita, he said that she would always say that she couldn't do it, but when the cameras started rolling she would transform into the character.

"Kapag magta-take, she transforms into her character. Nakakalimutan na 'yung Rita Daniela so I guess iyon ang naaalala kay Rita lagi," he said.

"Lagi siyang 'Direk, di ko kaya' pero pak kapag 'Action!', transform. Yes meron siyang ganun. Natatakot siya lagi pero kapag action na ibang character na," he added.

4. Pauline Mendoza: Drama

Pauline wowed with her performance in "Kambal Karibal" as Criselda, the ghostly twin of Bianca Umali.

For Cata, the most striking thing about Pauline is how she blends "drama" into her kontrabida role. "Drama. 'Yun ang pinaka striking kay Pauline is 'yung kontrabida with drama. Hindi lang siya kontrabida na galit. 'Yung kontrabida niya with drama,  may acting," she said.

"Mahirap kayang sumigaw habang umiiyak na kailangan mong i-sustain iyon for the whole time sa show."

3. Thea Tolentino: No words needed

Thea first showed her potential as a kontrabida in the remake of "Anna Karenina."

"Ay aya, talaga, perfect. Alam mo, wala akong masabi diyan kundi magaling siyang kontrabida," said Chito. 

Direk Mark said Thea can convey her character even without talking.

"Kahit kasi di magsalita, 'yun yung mukha ni Thea Tolentino, kahit 'di magsalita parang naiinis na nagagalit na. 'Yun pa lang, solve na," he said.

"Kayang kaya niya 'yung kinaiinisan," said Cata. "At siya 'yung, 'Kahit magalit kayo sa akin, mas gusto ko 'yan!' Ganun siya. Nae-embrace daw niya 'iyon sa mga interviews na sinasabi, kasi ibig sabihin non, effective siya."

2. Lauren Young: A natural

In Direk Mark's words, Lauren is the "complete package."

"I guess iyon ang meron si Lauren Young kasi nga meron siya the face acting sosyal na kontrabida ayun," he said.

Chiko added that Lauren's English speaking skill is another strength.

Cata, on the other hand, said Lauren is a "natural," and never overdoes her roles. She also compared her to Gladys Reyes.

"She can be the next Gladys na kapag nakita mo si Gladys ay kontrabida. Itong si Lauren, kontrabida iyan, magaling na kontrabida iyan, so natural at hindi iyan OA. 'Yun ang maganda sa kanya, kaya favorite ko siya," Cata said. 

"Walang ka OA-OA sa acting niya, natural lang kasi effective. Makikita mo si Gladys na manampal yung words lang niya. Pag-deliver niya ng words all natural na ang galing niya," she added.

1. Kyline Alcantara: Angelic face, devilish deeds

Kyline may be new and young, but she's a highly talented actress. Her multi-layered, multi-character performance has even earned her the "La Nueva Contravida" title.

According to Direk Mark, Kyline will affect you in every scene she takes on. "Napakahusay niyang artista for me," he said. "Effective. Ramdam mo sa puso 'yung galit, 'yung pain, kung bakit niya nagagawa yung eksena."

He pointed out that the contrast between her "angelic" face and her wicked actions makes her an effective kontrabida.

"I guess 'yung katulad ng mukha niya na angelic hindi mo rin alam na gagawa siya ng masama. Kapag gumawa siya ng masama sa ganung klase ng mukha ironically parang effective, so iyon ang nakikita ko at the same time."

Chiko said that Kyline's effortless switching from good to bad and vice versa also makes her an excellent kontrabida.

"'Yung pagiging mabait niya pagkaharap yung mommy at daddy niya at pagiging mean niya at pagiging deceptive mapanlinlang, napakasinungaling niya. Ang galing niyang magpasa ng kamalian, 'yung kamalian na ginawa niya sa iba na ipapasa parang natural na natural ang  pagiging sinungaling niya, pagiging impakta niya. Nakakagigil siya sa totoo lang!" — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/BM, GMA News