Bianca King, ‘overachiever’

(Published Feb.9, 2008, PDI-Entertainment)
By Oliver M. Pulumbarit
Contributor

Actress-student Bianca King, 22, considers herself an old soul, “a new age, modern hippie.” She juggles responsibilities uncommon to many people her age.

Bianca, who previously appeared in GMA 7 shows “Click,” “Atlantika,” “Mulawin” and “Dyesebel,” is serious about showbiz. Aside from performing, she always dreamt of telling her own stories through film.

A Digital Filmmaking scholar at De La Salle College of St. Benilde, Bianca is in her sophomore year. One of her instructors--after checking her film journal, a scrapbook containing detailed notes, clippings and storyboard sketches--teased her about being an overachiever.

A fan of filmmakers Steven Spielberg, Darren Aronofsky, Alfred Hitchcock and Richard Linklater, Bianca hopes to eventually write and direct films that will deviate from “movies with the same regurgitated content that we’ve been seeing for the past 15 years.”

What was required to get the scholarship?

They really just required a portfolio. I compiled all the magazine clippings and newspaper articles that had me talking about my school, and how much I wanted to write, how I felt that it was my calling. And I had really good recommendation letters from people who really thought that I deserve it.

How competitive was it?

It’s pretty competitive, because there are only a few slots. The only difficult part was when I was going in for my interview. The grants office was asking me, “Why do you want a scholarship? You can afford it.” So that’s where I really had to fight for it. I wasn’t asking for financial support. I wanted the grant to motivate me and to help me get ahead faster in my career. And also, it could help me get a scholarship abroad.

When did you start supporting yourself financially?

Since I started doing bigger commercials… I was about 16 and I stopped asking for allowance. I don’t consider myself a superstar. I don’t have a gazillion endorsements. I earn okay when I have a show, but that’s only for three to four months. The downtime, the lull in between shows, I basically live off my savings.

Now you’re the breadwinner?

It’s just really innate, I guess. My parents didn’t push me. Maybe it’s a Piscean thing. When the going gets tough, I take charge. [Sometimes, I wonder] “Why is life so hard?” or “Why do I have to do these things?” But the notion of giving back makes it okay.

How tough does it get?

I’ve experienced times when it’s enrolment and I think, “Should I spend the last 50 grand I had in my bank for that or should I pay the bills?” I really had to explain in the sincerest manner [to the grants committee] that, if they give the scholarship to me, they won’t be sorry. It’s not only that it would look pretty in my transcript; I need it.

How is life as a scholar?

Lovely! Last term, I took the heaviest load I’ve taken, which is 14 units. I would usually only take 6 to 9 units. I have to maintain a GPA of 2.5. Last term, I got a 3.7, my highest GPA, only .3 less than a perfect score. This was in the middle of two movies and “Dyesebel.”

What do you want to achieve, ultimately?

Lots of things that I want to achieve in terms of acting, in terms of the roles I get. At the same time, it’s not my end-all and be-all.

What advice would you give young fans?

Finish school. It’ll take you places. It’s always helpful to hone a certain skill. If you have an interest in something, work on that. Pursue your passion.