On November 25, Kapuso actress Bianca Umali said she dreams that the HBO Asia series Halfworlds would open up international opportunities for her.
During the media conference for her contract renewal with GMA Network, Umali excitedly discussed the possibility that her role in Halfworlds Season 3 would help her get noticed internationally.
“Yes! Yes of course. I am absolutely dreaming and hoping for that. Sana po eh, mapansin din ho ng mga writers, ng mga directors ng industriya sa ibang bansa. Kasi, malay ho natin, mabigyan pa tayo ng opportunities, para maipakita po natin kung ano kaya natin mga Pilipino.”
She then gave an update about the possible premiere of Halfworlds in the third quarter of 2022.
“We’ve finished shooting na po. We shot it for a year and a half. Pero, all in all, the series has been in the making for five years already, ever since they started writing the script. And another year for editing, for post-prod. And hopefully, maybe by third quarter next year sana ay may maipalabas po kami.”
Umali also revealed that her other Halfworlds castmates also feel excitement for the season three premiere of the HBO Asia series.
“Honestly, kaming lahat po that are part of the production and part of the show, kapag nagkita-kita kami, kapag po napag-uusapan namin, we actually are excited and longing for it to actually show. Kasi ang tagal na rin ho eh, because the pandemic happened, so wala naman tayong magagawa doon, pero malapit na siya.”
She then shared that season three of Halfworlds would focus on Philippine folklore.
“It’s shot in a different country per season. And, it’s called Halfworlds because it focuses on the folklore in each country it’s shot in. So kung dito ho sa atin, sa Pilipinas, kung ano po ‘yung folklore natin dito, meaning may mga aswang, may mga tikbalang. ‘Yun po ang takbo ng story ng Halfworlds.”
Umali also described the difference between working in a Filipino production and a Hollywood production set.
“It’s was such a wonderful and unique experience na sana ma-experience din ng iba pang actor kasi ang sarap. For me, I describe it as parang, pinagsama-samang teleserye, commercial, at pelikula. Iba ‘yung sistema kumbaga kapag Hollywood system ang sinusunod, iba ‘yung oras, iba ‘yung preparations. You have so much time to study, and you have so much time to prepare, and to plan what you do.”
As for her career, Umali started in showbiz in 2009 in the TV series Tropang Potchi and then she worked on various projects under the Kapuso Network, such as Mulawin Vs. Ravena.
She then became the ‘epic-serye princess’ after starring in the cultural dramas Sahaya and Legal Wives. Additionally, she stars in the upcoming third season of the international HBO Asia series, Halfworlds.
