Bianca enjoys special set-up

MANILA, Philippines - Bianca King is beaming. And why shouldn’t she be? While other actors don’t have the freedom to work for another network due to a binding contract, Bianca has been allowed to appear on TV5 to play lead in the primetime soap Obsession.

“Lend” is how TV5 chief entertainment content officer Wilma Galvante describes Bianca’s crossover from GMA 7 to TV5. “I would like to thank GMA Network and GMA Artist Center for lending her to us…yun lend because when we presented the concept to them, they saw the beauty in the story and they allowed Bianca to work with TV5.”

Bianca formally signed the per-project contract with her manager Ronnie Henares, TV5 president Noel Lorenzana and Galvante last Monday afternoon, which was witnessed by select members of the entertainment press.

“It’s a dream come true,” Bianca says about getting the opportunity to work in another network “because I grew up with GMA having done my very first project with them. Perhaps, my being an artist and my love for acting have given me an intense desire to try every project that would show my talent more. I want to reach my full potential as an artist. I wanna try everything.”

Bianca, too, appreciates the kindness of GMA particularly AVP for alternative productions Gigi Lara and Ida Henares for making the “network crossover” possible.

Still, speculations about GMA 7 and TV5 having a special arrangement cannot be easily counted out as “the crossover” scenario is becoming too frequent. Some even surmised that it has something to do with the news that circulated days ago that TV5 chair Manny V. Pangilinan has already acquired a major share in GMA.

TV5 president Noel Lorenzana gives light to the issue when asked about it, “It’s really a matter of openness and we’re happy that GMA showed openness and actually agreeing for their talents to appear on TV5. On the other hand, I also think that people appreciate that the shows TV5 are giving GMA talents are actually good projects. So if you’ll appreciate the fact that it’s gonna make good for everybody then why not. I mean people should accept. If it’s good then let’s do it.

“Does it have anything to do with the news that TV5 is buying GMA? The answer is no. This thing has been going on before news came out so there’s no link.”

As for Bianca, Noel shares that he has seen how effective she is in the acting department when he had watched her in an afternoon soap on GMA. He then asked Wilma about the possibility of getting Bianca for their primetime show. Thus, meetings with GMA execs were arranged until, finally, GMA gave the green light for Bianca to work with TV5.

On the other hand, Ronnie reveals that Bianca’s contract with GMA had already expired a few days ago and “so it should be up for renewal. She’s still being handled by Artist Center although the contract is still under negotiation.”

“Bagay sa kanya yung role,” says Wilma about Bianca playing the female lead character Vanessa in Obsession. “I know she’s been wanting to do an intense drama kasi we’ve seen her in many roles — fantasy, support then lead. But, of course, I was also thinking who would be allowed by GMA based on their schedule. But I really zeroed in on Bianca because she fits the role.”

Does it put pressure on Bianca knowing how huge TV5 expects from her?

“Everybody, since I set foot on TV5 property, has made me feel so welcome and everyone is assisting me in everything I do, so no transition or adjustment period for me. I won’t (allow) the pressure (to rule) my feelings right now; it’s really the excitement and the gratitude to be a part of this. I’m just hoping for the best. I really hope that it (Obsession) is one of the shows that will catapult TV5 to newer heights.”

Obsession, to air Thursday nights beginning Jan. 23, is a psycho-drama about a woman named Vanessa who falls in love and eventually becomes obsessed with the man who broke up with her. It will lead Vanessa to turn her love into hatred to the point of scheming a revenge. According to Bianca, there are scenes that she has never done before. “People used to see me in contravida roles then bida. Here, pinag-combine yung dalawa so it becomes more challenging to suddenly shift from a conniving woman in one scene to a good-hearted one in another.”

With the kind of role she will portray in Obsession, Bianca welcomes the idea of starring in another TV5 show if and when given another chance. As an artist, Bianca adds that “you really wanna spread your wings and personally it keeps me on my toes because you are working with other people (outside of the home network). It pushes me to perform much better minus the pressure.”

Asked if there is also the possibility of one day seeing her directing a drama series since she has started “spreading her wings,” Bianca says that her goal is to be able to direct TV commercials. It was last year when she apprenticed for director Erik Matti to gain knowledge about shooting for TV commercials. “Dondon Monteverde, too, is mentoring me for my directing career. I would very much love to try directing for TV but I want to be 100-percent focused on it. Right now, I want to reach my full potential as an actress before I transition into something else.”

Bianca will also guest in Tropa Mo Ko Unli and will play in Let’s Ask Pilipinas and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?.