So, when one discovers something special about a young actress, one sits up and really listens.
Thus, it was refreshing to find out that there’s more to Kapuso actress Bianca Umali than meets the eye.
The 17-year-old star is a lover of books and with her big, expressive eyes, could go on and on about her favorite author, Neil Gaiman.
“Neil Gaiman is the first author I’ve read and ‘yung style of writing niya ay parang sa kanya ko lang nakikita,” said the lovely actress who turns 18 next month.
“My favorite book of his is ‘Stardust.’ I am not really into romance pero ‘yun lang ‘yung romance na binasa ko, and it was the only one na talagang favorite ko. I have read it a lot of times, three times na siguro,” she added.
During a recent meet up with the Cebu press to promote the teleserye, “Kambal, Karibal” Bianca revealed to the Cebu Daily News team her passion for reading, particularly for Neil Gaiman’s works.
“Neil Gaiman has his own way of writing na hindi lahat makakaintindi. ‘Tsaka pag binabasa mo siya parang ay may sarili siyang style na pag ma-ko-compare ko siya with other writers ay sobrang lalim niya. And ‘yung kanyang use of words ay accurate and unique. ‘Yung words na hindi ginagamit often and ’yung words na parang siya lang ang gumagamit to describe kung ano ang gusto niya ipaparating sa mga tao.”
Bianca, to our pleasant surprise, is old school by heart when it comes to reading.
“Sa family kasi namin we grew up na tinuruan talaga kami na magbasa. Tinuruan kami na magmahal ng libro and it’s so sad na almost lahat ay nasa phone na or electronic. Mas na-a-appreciate ko talaga ‘yung paper,” she said.
She also has set an annual goal for herself.
“Every year, I have a goal to read at least a hundred books. Goal pa lang ‘yun. And right now I am reading a script, week eight na po kami so parang naka eight books na po ako,” Bianca said, with enthusiasm.
And while she is thankful for the opportunity to portray the protagonist in her TV projects, Bianca looks forward to doing something out of the box.
“I want to do dark roles. ‘Yung madilim na parang rebelde. I find psycho thrillers challenging and sa ganoong klaseng characters na pinapanood ko sa movies ay ibang satisfaction ang bigay nito sa akin,” she said.
Any specific films in mind?
“Kagaya nung kay M. Night Shyamalan na ‘Split’ tsaka ‘yung kay Jennifer Lawrence na ‘Mother’,” Bianca said, proving that she is ready to go edgy and offbeat.
Bianca currently headlines GMA Network’s top-rating primetime series “Kambal, Karibal” opposite love team partner Miguel Tanfelix.