BIANCA UMALI has gone a long way. From the child actress, model, endorser we knew her off, she began the long and arduous road to becoming a television star.
After all her years of hard work, she finally reaps the fruit of her labor. From playing a young version of the main lead now becoming the lead actress herself in Kambal Karibal and Sahaya, she is now set to play the Muslim wife of Dennis Trillo in the show Legal Wives.
Let us look back at the career and journey of one of Kapuso’s promising lead actresses – Bianca Umali.
EARLY LIFE
Bianca was born Maria Isadora Bianca Soler Umali on March 2, 2000 in Parañaque, Philippines. Bianca is the only child to both of her parents but has half siblings from both of her parents’ part relationships. Her mother died of breast cancer in 2005, and her father due to heart attack in 2010. Growing up, she was mainly raised by her paternal grandmother.
She studied high school at the formerly Veritas Parochial School, now Veritas Catholic School, which is also in Parañaque City.
CAREER BEGINNINGS
Bianca began her career as an endorser and a commercial model. At a young age of 2, she was seen as a commercial model for baby diapers. From there, she did commercials for an ice cream brand. She also endorsed products from Natasha and other clothing brands.
Her first non-commercial television appearance was with the show Tropang Potchi, where she functioned as a host in 2009. That same year, her talents and potential were noticed and she got signed in as an exclusive artist with GMA Network.
SIGNING WITH GMA
Her signing with GMA Network proved to be a great career move. After signing, she landed a role in the television series Kaya Kong Abutin Ang Langit, playing the younger version of Nancy Rosales in 2009. She also made a cameo appearance in the 2009 version of Darna.
In 2011, she played the role of Dina in the drama fantasy comedy television series directed by Joel Lamangan – Magic Palayok. She continued her appearances in drama fantasy series in the show Paroa: Ang Kuwento ni Mariposa who stars Barbie Forteza as the lead role.
BREAKTHROUGH
She began playing lead and main roles in the 2013 television series Mga Basang Sisiw, which was directed by Ricky Davao. Bianca continued to land roles in various television series in GMA such as Unforgettable (2013), Niño (2014), Dading (2014), Once Upon A Kiss (2015), Wish I May (2016), Mulawin vs Ravena (2017), Kambal, Karibal (2017-2018) and Sahaya in 2019.
ANTHOLOGIES
Bianca firmly planted herself in television programs, landing roles left and right. This include appearances in various anthologies since 2013. She started with Maynila (Best Bet ng Puso episode) and Magpakailanman (School Bullying Caught on Cam).
From then on, she had appeared in Love Hotline, Seasons of Love Presents, Dangwa, Wish Ko Lang, Alamat, Usapang Real Love, Dear Uge, Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, and Tadhana.
FILMS
Bianca’s film debt was in the movie Yaya and Angelina: The Spoiled Brat Movie, appearing as a cameo. In 2012, she played the role of young Isabel Reyes (Rhian Ramos) in the movie My Kontrabida Girl. The following year, she appeared as Bea (Zachs younger sister) in the film My Lady Boss.
She played the role or Miley in Barbi D’ Wonder Beki in 2017. Bianca was also in the 2019 films Banal and Family History.
To be acting alongside the veterans – Alice Dixon, Dennis Trillo, and Andrea Torres is such as wonderful opportunity for Bianca. She steadily transitions into mature roles that would definitely help her in her career and acting portfolio. It’s exciting to see how the series unfolds, am I right? Let me know what you think of the series, and her acting too!
