Charles Teves
Bianca Umali shared how the pandemic has affected her life while “thankfully surviving the new normal.”
The young actress told LionhearTV that the public health crisis has given her more time to work on her “fitness” and made her discover a new passion for being a “plantita.”
“It makes you discover things na hindi mong inakala madiscover mo.
“I have more time to focus on my fitness. My newly found hobbies like my plants, and redecorating my house. Officially a plantita,” she said.
The plantita is one of the most popular trends amid the pandemic. People who have all the time in the world while staying at home to avoid contracting the deadly disease have resorted to gardening.
“I wasn’t really into plants before. I think it was for a time naging trend sila, and that was what triggered my curiosity.
“My very first plant was given to me as a gift. Inaccept ko siya at mula non naparami na ako ng naparami ng mga alaga na plants,” she said.
Being a plantita taught her how “be patient at all times”, pointing out that plants take quite some time to grow.
“Malaking bagay yung patience sa buhay. No matter where you are planted on, you will always glow and grow beautifully,” she said.
Her projects in the show business have come to a temporary halt due to the pandemic except for a Wish Ko Lang taping.
“Working from home. Nag continue ako ng studying for my projects that are on pause because of the pandemic.
Shooting for TV shows has been quite challenging since she is still adjusting to the constant observance of health protocols.
“Sobrang hirap. Sobrang ibang-iba sa kung ano yung nakasanayan nating lahat na normal na pamumuhay natin sa araw-araw.
“Nakakgulat kasi meron akong instinct na kailangan malayo ako sa mga tao. May praning feeling and yung pag-isip mo talagang di mapakali kasi feeling mo hindi ka safe.”
The physical distancing, wearing of PPEs have also affected communication, but the 20-year old has learned to “deal with the changes.”
“Hindi madali mentally for me but GMA made sure naman na everyone will be safe and everyone will be secured. Lahat kami nag undergo ng swab tests para makapunta kame dun.”
“But at the same time nag enjoy ako kasi I miss working so much. Namiss kong umarte
“Lahat. I had to go to work without my driver. Lahat ng mga gamit dinidisinfect ko. Usually wala akong bitbit going to the set pero ngayon meron na akong isang bag na punongpuno ng mga panglinis ng mga ano-ano siguro dahil sa kapraningan rin.
“Nakakatuwa. Parang mixed emotions yung unang beses going back to work on location,” she said.
Bianca will be appearing in Legal Wives, the first-ever Muslim television soap opera on the GMA Network, where she plays the role of the third and youngest wife of actor Dennis Trillo. Unfortunately, taping halted thanks to the pandemic.
This is the first time she’d be playing a wife in her acting career.
“We were supposed to start shooting May, then the pandemic happened and we were all under ECQ, so na pause lahat ng ginagawa kong trabaho.”
“As of now, our goal is to be able to start working on the show by November,” she said.
She sees the role as an “upgrade” and is hoping to learn more about the Muslim culture.
“Nung inannounce sa akin yung role, meron akong shocked feeling na sobrang laki ng role. Somehow upgrade rin siya kasi naconsider na ako sa role na ganon.
“I’m excited to do it. Excited ako na mag-aral ulit ng bagong kultura.
“Sobrang ganda ng kwento. Ako yung pangatlong asawa. I’m the youngest wife,” she added.
The shooting for the third season of HBO Asia’s Halfworlds has also been postponed, a thriller wherein Bianca plays a half-human and half-engkanto.
The unconventional way of shooting was a challenge according to Bianca, but she is looking forward to doing more on her part.
“It wasn’t easy shooting, especially yung mga ishushoot pa namin talagang…wow. I never thought na makapag shoot ako ng mga ganung eksena sa buong buhay ko.”
She mentioned that she will forever be a “Kapuso.” The network has had her back since she started, and her loyalty to GMA cannot be denied.
Bianca also wants to make her grandmother even more proud, which is why she will never stop working and improving herself.
