Bianca Umali has shown elegance and exhibited confidence as she expressed her readiness to play the titular lead role in GMA 7’s latest teleserye, ‘Sahaya’.
The Kapuso network, which is broadcasted through GMA Pinoy TV across the United Arab Emirates, continues to show to the world that Filipino teleseryes can be an avenue to promote the multicultural diversity found in the Philippines, as they give highlight to the culture of the Badjaw for this teleserye.
Umali responded positively to the questions given by The Filipino Times through Kapuso PR Girl’s “Press Play” when asked about the role that ‘Sahaya’ as a teleserye plays for the Filipino masses. “Ang purpose po ng teleserye namin is to spread awareness and to show the people kung ano, sino at paano ang kultura ng mga Badjaw. Ang Sahaya ay para po ipakilala sila,”
The young actress also said that the teleserye will highlight the cultural experience of the Badjaw community and as such, it’s not only Sahaya (Umali) herself who will be the star of the show – but the entire community who will play a vital role to shed light on the lives of the Badjaws back in the Philippines. “Mga dapat abangan nila abangan – maraming marami po yan (kabilang) ay yung story namin, yung mga karakter – kung ano ang mga mangyayari at kung papaano namin mabibigyan ng hustisya ang aming sinet na standard which is yung pagiging Badjaw hindi lamang ni Sahaya kung yung buong komunidad nila,” said Umali.
Immersive cultural experience
While Umali admits that she has yet to visit an actual Badjaw community as of press time, she shared that the production team had the chance to do so. “I was trying my best and I still am na makapunta doon sa Tawi-tawi na isa sa mga authentic na Badjaw communities pero sa ngayon wala pa po akong oras but then the production was able to immerse,” said Umali.
She likewise shared that the main Badjaw community that they formed for the teleserye is situated in Calatagan, Batangas with many beautiful, custom-made equipment that they will be using to give the show more substance for the entire production of the show. “Hindi po ako makapag antay na makita ninyo at mapanood niyo po yung mga hitsura ng ginagawa namin kasi hindi lang po yung Badjaw community yung napakganda na set up ng Sahaya.
“Sana po ay samahan ninyo ako at subaybayan po natin, mahalin at abangan si Sahaya dahil magandang, magandang kwento po ang kanyang ihahatid,” shares Umali as she hopes that Filipinos abroad would appreciate and learn more about the Badjaw community from “Sahaya”.
Sahaya is now showing via GMA Pinoy TV.
Watch her complete interview here:
