- Bianca Umali is Sahaya, a Badjao girl who struggles in life but will never throw away the tradition and culture of her heritage.
- Since Badjaos are also known for their swimming skills, the actress had to train for swimming and diving.
- She also started to study the culture and language of the Badjaos.
Sahaya may be one of the most challenging roles, Bianca Umali had to portray. She stars in the series alongside Miguel Tanfelix and Migo Adecer.
This series is directed by indie filmmaker Zig Dulay who already directed several Kapuso shows such as Sa Puso Ni Dok in 2014, Dangwa in 2015 and Sirkus in 2018.
Bianca achieved one of her life-long dreams.
Umali has always wanted to be a mermaid and Sahaya could be the opportunity to achieve that dream.
“Noon pa man po naging pangarap ko po talaga na maging isang mermaid pero never in my wildest dreams na dadating po sa akin si Sahaya na isang Badjao at anak-dagat.”
Bianca trained to be Sahaya.
Since Badjaos are also known for their swimming skills, the actress had to train for swimming and diving. She also started to study the culture and language of the Badjaos.
Umali as a Badjao girl, struggled but will throw away the tradition and culture of her heritage.
Badjaos are widely known as “Sea Gypsies” of Sulu and Celebes Seas. They make their livelihood solely on the sea as expert fishermen, deep sea divers and navigators. Sahaya is a Badjao term for light.
