Bea Binene

Using more of their homegrown talents in their shows has become the thrust of GMA Network. Thus, more shows are developed to carry this goal to fulfillment and one such show is “First Time” which showcases most of their young talents.

The young cast though has been forewarned by the network’s Senior Vice President for Entertainment Wilma Galvante – they shouldn’t fail!

“I don’t like that to happen and I will not fail,” expressed Bea Binene. She is one of the young stars cast in the series as Natalie Dimaculangan.

“I love acting and if you love what you do you’ll take care of it and I’m really going to work hard in this show,” she added.

Bea joined showbiz via the Kapuso Network’s “Starstruck Kids” six years ago. Afterwhich she was cast in “Bahay Mo Bato” as the daughter of Wendell Ramos. Then she shifted to the Network’s News and Public Affairs Department’s show entitled “Lovely Day.”

“I was in the show as one of its segment hosts and I could say I grew up in that show,” she shared. “And I’m so happy because the show taught me a lot of things. I learned and experienced a lot which I wouldn’t have if not for that show.”

Bea’s knack for hosting or even acting was honed by joining an acting workshop by Trumpets which she attended even before her stint with “Lovely Day.” She even did the stage play “Annie” playing the role of Molly at Trumpets Playshop. Another experience on stage was with Ayala Malls when “Lilo and Stitch” toured all Ayala Malls in the country. She played Lilo then.

Looking back, she felt that everything she went through her young showbiz career were little steps for more challenging jobs in the future like “First Time.” It is the first time too that she is cast in a daily soap opera which she calls a dream come true.

Joining the popular love triangle of Barbie Forteza, Joshua Dionisio and Jhake Vargas, Bea as Natalie is a “queen bee” which is notoriously known to look down on people and her mischief. In the story, she would always call Cyndi (Barbie) or Lukas (Joshua) “losers” among others.

So how did she feel when she heard she’d be in “First Time?”

The young actress who is now 12 years old said that she heard stories that she would be in a soap opera. But until she got confirmation, she didn’t get her hopes high yet.

“One time they told us that we were meeting director Andoy Ranay. After our meeting I was told that I was already in ‘First Time.’ I’m very blessed because even if ‘Lovely Day’ ended I still did guest appearances in different GMA-7 shows. I also now have ‘SOP’ and now this… I’m very happy to be working again with Barbie whom I worked with in ‘Dear Friend: Christmas List.’ I’m so proud and happy that GMA-7 gave me this opportunity,” she replied.

She added that part of their preparation was to attend an acting workshop headed by veteran actor Pen Medina. During their workshop, she felt that the cast bonded more and the tips that Pen gave them about acting contributed well in polishing their still raw acting skills.

So has Bea already experienced falling in love for the first time?

“No, not yet. I don’t have a boyfriend because I’m still young. I still want to achieve a lot in my career. I want to win the Best Actress/Host/Reporter awards… I also want to bring home more Wushu trophies.” Bea has been practicing the Wushu martial arts for a year already. “I think my first time to fall in love will happen in the series so people should watch out for it!”

Aside from acting and dancing, Bea is active with the charitable works of the Kapuso Foundation like their feeding program she’d take part with. She is also one of the Junior Child Ambassadors for the Haribon Foundation.

Another driving force in Bea’s budding showbiz career is her “First Time” director Andoy Ranay’s reminder that “First Time” can either make or break them. And this is one challenge she would like to face and succeed.

That said, Bea Binene is one of GMA Artist Center’s exciting young actresses to watch out for because she is ON THE RISE!