Kapuso actress Bianca Umali gave an insightful interview to broadcast journalist Pia Arcangel in her podcast, "Surprise Guest With Pia Arcangel."
The 22-year-old, who's currently starring in the teleserye Mano Po Legacy: Her Big Boss, revealed to Pia that both her parents passed away and she lived with her grandmother, Vicky since she was 10. Bianca shared that she lost her mom to breast cancer when she was 5, while her dad passed away due to a heart attack when she was 10.
Bianca shared, "Looking back, I really couldn't decipher kung ano ba yung mga particulars na pinanghahawakan ko in life kasi bata pa ako. I really did not understand the gravity of my situation at all noong nawalan ako ng Mommy and Daddy and that I was living independently."
"Ngayon na tumatanda ako, ngayon ko lang na-realize grabe pala yung pinagdaanan ko dati," Bianca said. "And I think the only thing that was keeping me strong was the thought of my Mommy and Daddy guiding me. I always thought of them as my guardian angels na palagi silang nasa shoulders ko that they always have my back and they are always protecting me kahit 'di ko sila nakikita."
Even though Bianca lost her parents at a young age, she said that she owes everything to her grandmother. "Malaking factor yung Lola ko," she added. "Even when I left her house, I knew that I owe everything to her. If she didn't take me in, hindi ko alam kung saan ako pupulutin, kung paano ko maitataguyod yung sarili ko. And she raised me very well."
Bianca said that she decided to move out of her grandmother's house due to the showbiz industry's unpredictable working hours. The actress shared that her grandmother has the habit of not going to sleep or resting unless everyone at home is accounted for. Bianca said, "I didn't want to do that to her naman, I know naman that she cares so much for me that she stays up until I get home and napupuyat siya and ayoko ng ganoon."
Pia noted that not all people can live independently at an early age for different reasons. Asking Bianca what advice she'd give to those who are living solo at any age, the actress had this to say: "Stay strong. I know it can be scary and it can be hard 'pag mag-isa ka pero ang pinanghahawakan ko ever since bata pa ako na mantra is to always remind myself that this too shall pass."
"Kung ano yung pinagdadaanan mo, it will only make you stronger. It will not stay that way, matatapos din yan," Bianca continued. "Kaya mo pinagdadaanan 'yan kasi may gustong ituro sa'yo. At kapag na-realize mo kung ano yung lesson na 'yon, worth it pala yung hirap at sakit na pinagdaanan mo."
Listen to Bianca's full interview here: