Grit Grace Bianca Umali
Speed Philippines|July 2019

We were setting up for the photo shoot when my phone rang. It was my contact from GMA Artist Center, informing me that Bianca Umali was already in the area looking for a spot to park her car. I dashed out of the home studio of our photographer, Doc Marlon Pecjo, to assist Bianca.

Grit Grace Bianca Umali

From across the street, I saw her maneuvering a white sedan into the available parking space. “You’re driving!” exclaimed Doc Marlon, who was standing beside me at the front door, while we watched Bianca step out of her ride and cross the road. He tried to recall the last time he saw Bianca, and wondered aloud if she’s already of legal age to drive. “I’m already 19 years old,” the young actress said with a laugh.

I was thinking the same thing. When did Bianca grow up and turn into a fine young woman? It seems only yesterday when she was a teenager who was captivating us with the way she portrayed her characters on TV.

But all that’s in the past. Bianca has indeed blossomed—and during our interview we tried to unravel the things and experiences that brought her to where she is now. It’s quite amazing, really, to know her story and discover who she is behind the scrutinizing lens of the camera and the public eye.

GIRL WITH GRIT

When asked if it’s always been her dream to become an actress, Bianca couldn’t really answer. It’s just that showbiz has always been there; she started appearing in commercials when she was two and had her first television show when she was nine.

The 19-year-old shares how she and her nanny would travel all the way from their Parañaque home to the GMA studio in Quezon City—via public transportation—to go on auditions. She was around seven years old then, and she’d line up along with other aspiring kid actors for hours.

This story is from the July 2019 edition of Speed Philippines.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the July 2019 edition of Speed Philippines.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM SPEED PHILIPPINESView All
MacBook Pro with M1 Pro and M1 Max
Speed Philippines

MacBook Pro with M1 Pro and M1 Max

LUDICROUSLY POWERFUL

time-read
1 min  |
November - December 2021
Nokia G50
Speed Philippines

Nokia G50

AFFORDABLE 5G

time-read
1 min  |
November - December 2021
Speed Philippines

Huawei nova 9

FLAGSHIP-GRADE CAMERA

time-read
1 min  |
November - December 2021
START YOUR FITNESS GOALS NOW WITH THE REDMI WATCH 2 LITE
Speed Philippines

START YOUR FITNESS GOALS NOW WITH THE REDMI WATCH 2 LITE

Redmi Watch 2 Lite Get fit, start now

time-read
1 min  |
November - December 2021
Speed Philippines

MOBILE WORK MUST-HAVE Mobile Pixels Duex Plus 13.3 monitor

Road warriors, remote workers, and students hungry for screen real estate have a precious few options, especially if they are working in a limited space.

time-read
2 mins  |
November - December 2021
Speed Philippines

Infinix Hot 115

HOURS OF FUN AND GAMES

time-read
1 min  |
November - December 2021
Speed Philippines

Google Pixel 6, 6 Pro

BETTER PERFORMANCE FOR LESS

time-read
1 min  |
November - December 2021
Acing education through esports - MAYKEL GONZALES
Speed Philippines

Acing education through esports - MAYKEL GONZALES

In this era where creating the perfect balance between gaming and studying is deemed impossible, one collegiate esports player is winning at proving otherwise.

time-read
3 mins  |
September - October 2021
A NEW FOLD AND A FLIP
Speed Philippines

A NEW FOLD AND A FLIP

Samsung seems determined to push forward with foldables. It has released the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G and the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G, the third respective generations of their folding smartphone flagships.

time-read
2 mins  |
September - October 2021
HEART EVANGELISTA BEYOND FASHION-FORWARD
Speed Philippines

HEART EVANGELISTA BEYOND FASHION-FORWARD

Her name is synonymous with beauty, elegance, and the limelight. Heart—or Love Marie Ongpauco-Escudero in real life—started her career in showbiz at 13 as a commercial model and as the kikay character Missy in ABS-CBN's youth-oriented show G-mik.

time-read
3 mins  |
September - October 2021