COVER GIRL

INTERVIEW PAT CALICA | PHOTOGRAPHY MARLON PECJO | MAKEUP TING DUQUE |

HAIR RJ DELA CRUZ | STYLING JOHN PAUL DIZON

96 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.

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.

Grit

Bianca Umali

Grace