BEA BINENE started as a child star at GMA-7 with Starstruck kids.
As a teen star, she was given lead roles in “Alice Bungisngis” and “Hanggang Makita Kang Muli”. Last year, it was reported her contract as a Kapuso was not renewed.
Now, she has signed up with Viva Artists Agency or VAA. How does she feel about it?
“Siempre, naninibago. Kinakabahan ako kasi ngayon lang ako napalipat. It feels new, with different people, different surroundings, but I’m excited, I feel blessed. I look forward to working with all of them sa Viva.”
She wants to correct the impression that GMA didn’t renew her contract.
“When the pandemic started, it was so scary. Wala pang vaccine, so nakakatakot lumabas as we don’t know what might happen.
"I just stayed with my family at home. I cannot do lock in taping kasi iba ito sa nakasanayang tapings. So napag-usapan namin, since you’re scared to do taping, hindi na muna.
"But I will always be very thankful to GMA. I wouldn’t be here without them. 18 years ako sa kanila. Literal na doon ako lumaki, sila ang naging kasama ko as I was growing up.
"I have plenty of friends with them all throughout my career, so forever silang magiging part of whoever I am now that I'm 24. But siempre, sa ngayon, we go doon sa kunsaan meron tayong trabaho.”
Since she was just at home during the first phase of the pandemic, she went back to studies on line.
“I studied languages like Korean and Mandarin. I also took on line courses with various business schools like Harvard, Northwestern and London.
"I have a coffee shop sa Megamall but we closed it down during the pandemic kasi walang tao.
"But we are now transferring it to my mom’s province in Nueva Ecija.”
She feels she will now have more work opportunities with Viva.
“Kasi hindi sila nakatali sa iisang network lang. Kahit saan, puede ang artists nila.
"So I look at it as part of my growth in my career. Sina Boss Vic, when I turned 18 may offer na pero ngayon lang nangyari. It’s a matter of right timing.”
What kind of projects would she like to do with Viva? Is she ready to be part of the sexy flicks made by Vivamax?
“One thing is for sure. Hindi ko pa po kayang magpa-sexy at this point.
"No offense meant sa sexy stars but kailangang pag-iisipan ko muna kung kaya ko ba.
"Kasi baka pumayag nga ako, tapos, hindi ko naman ma deliver nang maayos if I’m not fully confident about it. Hindi rin naman ako kasing-sexy ng sexy stars nila.
"Viva also assured me na hindi naman lahat ng stars nila nagpapa-sexy so may projects pa rin na wholesome.”
She wants to try other kinds of work, like hosting. “Yes, I want to do a travel show, or a magazine show. Ang dream ko talaga is to be a news anchor, like Tita Mel Tiangco kasi I’ve done ‘Good News’ before as a child newscaster. Kung magpapa-sexy ako, hindi ko na maa-achieve yung goal kong maging news anchor.”
Was it a difficult decision to transfer to Viva?
“Hindi naman, medyo nanibago lang kasi I’m out of my usual comfort zone. But sila sa VAA, they’re very warm, very welcoming so I feel comfortable agad kahit I’m in a new environment.
"But I will never forget yung lumingon ka sa pinanggalingan and I will always be grateful to GMA. Sa Viva kasi, there will be more options as they’re very active online.
"I have my own youtube vlog, but I’m not very active. I can’t upload consistently but with Viva’s help, hopefully maayos ko yun and put in more content.
"Sa movies, I want to try action with fight scenes, yung may barilan or a feel good romcom.”
Who among the Viva artists would she like to work with?
“I’d like to work with all of them. Hindi ako mamimili.
"Kung sino ang tingin ng Viva na bagay ang chemistry sa akin, I will trust them. As of now, wala pang specific projects for me, basta bahala na ang VAA.”
Including Xian Lim who made fun of her before? Has she forgiven him?
“Naku, walang patatawarin kasi wala namang nagkasala. At least, kilala pala niya ako.
"Yung joke naman niya, iba-iba ang opinyon ng mga tao, but for me, I didn’t find is as something offensive.
"He even sent me flowers because of that incident and I really appreciate his gesture.
"Since pareho na kaming nasa Viva, I’m now looking forward to meet him and work with him.”