Bea Binene outshines Sam Bumatay

BEA BINENE was just the runnerup to Sam Bumatay in Starstruck Kids 6 years ago. She became a mainstay in the sitcom "Bahay Mo Ba 'To" and a host in "Lovely Dady. Sam has faded away but Bea at 12 is still active as tween star, no longer a child, but not yet a woman. After playing Barbie Forteza's chum in "Dear Friend" last December, she now plays a meatier role in "First Time" on primetime, which is enjoying high ratings. She used to be chubby, but now stands 5 ft. flat and is also slimmer. "I do martial arts, wushu, as my exercise," she says.

How does she find the show's teen leading men, Joshua Dionisio and Jake Vargas (yes, the H was removed by GMA). "Si Joshua po, tahimik. Si Jake, mas alaskador."

Has she experienced puppy love? "Ay, bawal po. Mas marami kong ibang gustong gawin, like I want to win more medals in wushu and I want to win an award as an actress and a TV host. At may warning sa'min si Ms. Wilma Galvante ng GMA. We should do well in our studies at pag bagsak ang grades namin, aalisin kami sa show kaya I always study hard kasi puede namang pagsabayin ang studies at acting."

Bea also helps in the GMA Kapuso Foundation feeding programs and as a Junior Child Ambassador for Conservation of Haribon for environmental protection. In "First Time", she plays Natalie, the sister of a new GMA discovery, Lucho Ayala, and they make life in campus difficult for Barbie and Joshua.