The Kids of Bahay Mo Ba 'To

Being part of an ensemble cast, it’s hard work to be noticed! Especially when you’re surrounded by veteran comics and actors! So how do Bea Bineneand Gabriel Roxas, both children, handle the pressure of being part of the Bahay Mo Ba 'To ? ensemble? By sticking together and having fun, of course! Interviews by: Connie M. Tungul and Xylen D. Alamo. Text by Jason S. Lim. Photos by Connie M. Tungul On the set of their Tuesday Kili-TV program, Bea and Gabriel are noticeable for being the only two children walking around. Sometimes Gabby is seen playing on his laptop and Bea watches DVDs. Very subdued and unlike regular kids their age, it makes one wonder what else makes them different from the others. And then a shout from the floor director reprimanding a crew member for being too loud is heard. No wonder the two are very quiet. Nobody wants to be yelled at. The two kids have already spent two years together playing brother and sister, and their relationship off-screen is actually akin to real siblings who spend a lot of time apart rather than together. After two years together, a friendship should’ve already grown. Are Bea and Gabby not close off-cam? “Nagtetext ba tayo dati? Hindi naman!” Bea exclaims to Gabriel as he insists that they used to text each other. And after Gabriel answers back that she used to text him all the time, she responds, “Hindi ka naman nagre-reply!” “Syempre wala akong load, (and) minsan low-batt na,” Gabriel retorts. Just like brothers and sisters. But that exchange aside, the two kids do enjoy each other’s company. In fact, they also work together on a Saturday Public Affairs program, Lovely Day. So when we ask them what they think of each other, Bea quickly answers that Gabriel is "napakabait." As for how Gabriel sees Bea? “Minsan po mabait, minsan po may pagka-makulit. Minsan din po may pagkamasungit.” If that’s how they see each other, how would they feel if they really were brother and sister? Gabriel, who has an older sister, replies that he is fine with it, while only child Bea answers matter-of-factly, “Depende po sa mood.” Just before the kids are called back on set, we asked who from the cast do they like working with the most. Both answered that everyone in the cast was funny and fun to be with, even when they make mistakes during takes! “Ako po kapag nagkamali, minsan dinadaan nila sa joke,” Bea says, proud of the adult’s improvisational capabilities. “(Pero) minsan po seryoso sila.” What about Gabriel? “Minsan lang po, ‘yung iba tumatawa.” We let the two kids back to the set, watching them as they give their best, learning the craft beside great actors like Ronaldo Valdez and Tessie Tomas. No matter how different they are on screen and off it, there’s got to be something said about the sibling chemistry they pull off so well. Catch these two adorable kids every Tuesday night right after JuMong!