While most of her contemporaries (and even those older) have been doing the “musical chairs” (you know, switching channels at their convenience and for their own gains), Bea Binene has been a loyal Kapuso through thick and thin, contented with how the network has been treating her.
“I’ve been with GMA since I was six years old,” said Bea who was discovered by the network’s talent search StarStruck Kids in 2004. “I’m thankful for what the network has been giving me. For 15 years,” she added more eloquently in Filipino, “dito na ako lumaki, dito na ako nag-dalaga, dito na ako pumayat, dito na ako tumaba, dito na ako yumaman at naghirap. It has been a roller-coaster, bitter-sweet journey with GMA.”
Bea was speaking to some movie writers at the pocket presscon for Ang Sikreto ng Piso, a comedy produced by JPP Dreamworld Productions and MJP Entertainment Productions, directed by Perry Escaño (Ang Guro Kong Di Marunong Magbasa), which is her only project outside of GMA where she does one soap every year.
“I’m not blaming anybody, ha,” she begged your pardon as she talked about loyalty (which is not in the vocabulary of most showbiz denizens), “I am just speaking for myself. While I am happy with my GMA projects, things could be better. I’m sure that the management is giving me projects that fit me; pinag-iisipan kung ano ang maganda para sa akin.”
Between her M-W-F once-a-year taping, Bea said that she managed to do something else such as attending to her business (coffee shop) and taking up a course in film — with enough time for her non-showbiz boyfriend (her last showbiz squeeze was Jake Vargas who is now with Inah de Belen). “It’s hard to have a showbiz boyfriend,” said Bea, “kasi people seem to be always monitoring your movements.”
In the beginning of her career, Bea said that it was “enjoy-enjoy lang,” until she realized that there were bills to pay, family to help support and siblings to send to school.
“Ang hirap pala kumita ng pera,” she sighed. “You save a bit but your savings are soon gone if you don’t have a show because you have to pay for so many things. Between shows, you gain weight and when a project comes along, you shed weight and then regain weight kapag wala ka na naman show.”
According to Bea, working on Ang Sikreto ng Piso (opening on tomorrow, Jan. 30, nationwide) made her realize the importance of the humble peso coin (“It starts with a penny,” so says Richard Quest in a CNN plug).
“I joined the Piso Challenge last year. I would deposit coins in a can (alkansya). The target was to save P50,000 but,” she laughed a bit, “I saved only P1,500.”
Although a comedy (packed full with comedians), Ang Sikreto ng Piso tackles a serious matter.
“The film is inspired by the smuggling of the Philippine peso coins that was exposed in 2006,” said direk Perry. “The coins were sold abroad for hefty amounts and there, the coins were minted and turned into something else.”
Joyce Peñas Pilarsky, the co-producer (JPP Dreamworld Productions) who plays a kontrabida in the movie, has good words for Bea who is cast as the daughter of real-life couple Ariel Rivera and Gelli de Belen (as junk-shop owners).
“She’s a good girl and a good actress,” said Joyce. “I’m glad that she didn’t give up her studies.”
Saludo, an advocacy hero-serye on PTV4
From left: PO1 Willy Quinto, Polo Ravales (who stars as Gen. Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa in the first episode of Saludo aired last Sunday, Jan. 27, on PTV4), PCSupt. Rhodel Sermonia and Leonora Sy
The Philippine National Police (PNP), through the Police Community Relations Group (PCRG) headed by PCSupt. Rhodel Sermonia, has partnered with Leonora Sy’s LSY Productions, Inc. for the production of a one-hour talk show/drama-anthology series titled Saludo (Pagpupugay sa Bayaning Pilipino), airing 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on PTV4.
“Saludo is an advocacy hero-serye presenting least-told inspiring stories about Filipino heroes,” said Sermonia. “It will highlight the good deeds of well-meaning, exemplary police officers, as well as individuals and personalities from among the stakeholders who have committed to make a difference.”
Sy added, “Five ‘gwapulis’ including 2014 Mister International PO3 Neil Perez, ‘dancing cop’ 2016 Gwapulis winner PO1 Willy Quinto, PO3 Alexander Po, PO1 Jeff Payumo and PO1 Richard Pangilinan are in Saludo which shows no barilan or patayan but purely drama and even comedy.”
The first episode aired last Sunday showed the true-to-life story of Ret. PNP Chief, Gen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa with Polo Ravales in the title role and Elijah Baranda as the young Bato.
Hosted by PCSupt. Sermonia and Sy and directed by Onin Estrella and Bahjo Cabauatan, Saludo is airing for one season (13 episodes). Each episode will also be streamed on Saludo’s official Facebook page.
(E-mail reactions at rickylophilstar@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)