Kapuso actress Bianca Umali has spoken out regarding rumors that she allegedly requested higher billing over National Artist Nora Aunor in their upcoming horror film ‘Mananambal’.
The issue was raised during the film’s press conference on Thursday, February 6, at Viva Café.
Entertainment editor Jun Lalin brought up the rumor, asking Bianca for her side of the story to clarify the matter. Bianca appeared surprised by the question but insisted on addressing it herself.
“May I speak first na po?” Bianca said, before continuing, “I am shocked by your question po, but I would like to handle it as professional as possible. I believe po the question is inappropriate for the event and also… hindi ko po alam kung ano ang nararamdaman ko because that is… I do not have any idea about that.”
The actress expressed concern about how the rumor could be perceived. “I am worried about how people in this room might take it, hearing it from the representative from the press,” she said.
Jun explained that he wanted to give Bianca a chance to address the issue directly. He shared that Bianca’s talent manager Tracy Garcia from Sparkle GMA Artist Center had already denied the rumor.
“What I am after is maging malinaw, kasi kanina nilinaw na ni Tracy. Kasi nu’ng Monday, may kumakalat na ganyang isyu. So, sabi niya, tanungin daw si Direk [Adolf Alix],” Jun said.
In response, Bianca maintained that she had not made any such request. Instead, she highlighted how honored she felt to work with Nora Aunor.
“Pasensiya na po, pero I would just like to clarify also na the opportunity to work with the Superstar, with our National Artist, is already a blessing. And it is an opportunity that I already knew na hindi ko po palalampasin,” Bianca explained.
@lionheartv Issue sa billing with Nora Aunor, pinalagan ni Bianca Umali! “I am shocked by the question…” #BiancaUmali #NoraAunor #Mananambal #EntertainmentNewsPH #TiktokTainmentNewsPH #TiktokTainmentPH #BestOfTiktokPH #NewsPH #LionhearTV #RAWRNation
“Being with her on set was a masterclass for me and was a dream I never thought I would achieve this early in my career. Kaya po yung makasama si Miss Nora is already enough,” she added.
Regarding billing, Bianca said it was not a priority. “Ako, bilang isang aktor and the love that I have for my craft, and the respect I have for myself and the industry, billing is not really… it’s a bonus. It is something… I don’t know internally, but ito pong question is something that I am not aware about and bonus na lang po yun,” she said.
Director Adolf Alix Jr. also addressed the issue, dismissing the rumor and affirming Nora Aunor’s position as a revered figure in the industry.
“I think it would be unfair… Yung idea po of billing with anyone, na artista po for that matter, siguro alam naman po nila na si Ate Guy deserves all the rightful billing being she’s an icon in the industry. Wala naman po sigurong magko-contest,” Alix said.
He emphasized that the poster and promotional materials were designed with fairness and respect for the cast’s contributions. “Kami po ng producer namin, when we were designing the poster, alam naman po namin kung saan ilalagay at kung para kanino ang nararapat na tamang billing,” he explained.
‘Mananambal’, a horror film distributed by Viva Films, is set to premiere on February 19, 2025. The movie stars Nora Aunor and Bianca Umali, alongside Kelvin Miranda, Edgar Allan Guzman, Jeric Gonzales, and Martin Escudero. Directed by Adolf Alix Jr., the film marks Nora Aunor’s return to the big screen after a long hiatus.
