Bea Binene returns to school this pandemic

MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-four-year-old actress Bea Binene enters a new chapter in her career as she recently signed a management deal with Viva Artists Agency (VAA), after her contract with the Kapuso network expired more than a year ago.

At present, Bea’s projects with Viva are still being talked about. She admits she can portray more mature roles in her forthcoming Viva projects. However, going the sexy route, like perhaps what Julia Barretto did in director Jason Paul Laxamana’s recent romance-drama, Expensive Candy, is not just yet in Bea’s plan.

“That’s what I told Viva when we first had a meeting,” Bea disclosed. “Hindi ko talagang kayang magpa-sexy (I really can’t go sexy). Hindi naman lahat siguro ng ibibigay nila sa akin, pa-sexy or daring. I’m sure I can do other projects. Hindi ko talagang kayang maghubad.

“When they say daring, hindi naman kailangan maghubad or show some skin. It also depends on the project, the story, the opportunity. Lahat naman napag-uusapan. Pros and cons, kaya ko ba? Am I confident enough to do it? Am I confident to take a risk?

“We’ll keep you updated about my forthcoming projects with VAA in this new journey of mine. As soon as there are concrete plans and specific projects, I will share in my social media accounts. Hopefully, I’ll be more visible.”

Bea is looking forward to working with a number of contract stars of Viva. “Anyone whom Viva feels has the right chemistry with me or can work well with me, okay ang working relationship with me, I will work with anyone,” Bea said.

This pandemic, Bea does not deny she and her family have been affected, just like everyone else. She closed her coffee shop (at Megamall) which struggled to stay afloat.

“I guess it was a blessing in disguise because we were able to transfer the coffee shop to my mama’s province in Nueva Ecija,” Bea shared. “We will be opening that very, very soon and we’re all busy to have it finished.”

The initial phase of the pandemic was frightening for Bea. “Nakakapanibago at nakakatakot,” she recalled. “I still feel privileged because I was able to stay home with my family.

“Of course, hindi naman natin alam ang mangyayari. I took it also as my time to have a break. Since I started in showbiz in 2004, tuloy-tuloy ang work. I was able to rest.”

She actually enrolled in an online school and learned Korean and Mandarin. “At first, it was all Netflix at the start of the pandemic at home. Then, I watched a lot of K-dramas.”

Eventually, Bea took online courses at Harvard Business School, Northwestern Kellogg School of Management and London Business School.

“Naging productive naman ako this pandemic,” she said. “I was able to accomplish a lot of things. I’m even about to finish culinary school soon.”

Bea said she will always be very thankful to GMA, where she started her showbiz career. “I wouldn’t be here without them,” she said. “For 18 years, sila ang kasama ko. Literal na sa GMA ako lumaki, tumaba, pumayat. Sila ang kasama ko.

“Even now that I’m being managed by VAA, I will stay being a Kapuso. My friends are all there. Kasama ko silang naka-trabaho. Ang dami kong tita at tito all throughout my career. They will forever be part of who I am.”

Now that Bea has wider opportunities after signing up with VAA, she is looking forward to appearing on the streaming platform, Vivamax. “Hindi nakatali ang Viva with any network,” she pointed out. “Independent siya. As long as there’s work, we’re okay.”

“Viva can help me strengthen my online presence through its streaming platform. But if there are good projects that I can do with GMA, I am always open. We can always talk about my projects and their decisions. They will forever be a part of me.”

Bea, nevertheless, still wants to become a news reporter or a news anchor in the mold of veteran Kapuso broadcasters Mel Tiangco or even Vicky Morales. “I grew up with GMA News and Public Affairs,” she said.

“I’ve been active with volunteering for Kapuso Foundation. As long as that dream is still there, hindi ko kayang maging very daring. We can talk about my projects.”

Bea simply prayed for the right timing to resume her showbiz career.

“I’m very grateful that VAA is there to welcome me. I just took a rest this pandemic. I think everyone else did because we were just all at home,” she said.

“Pero nakaka miss din mag-taping. ‘Yung mapupuyat ka. I miss seeing the fans who will go to every mall show or taping. Going back to showbiz is not something I did na biglaan lang. I also needed to work. I just waited for the blessings.

“I realized a lot of things. You should always appreciate everything that you receive, even the little things.”