(From left) Belle Mariano and Kaila Estrada. Images: Courtesy of Netflix Philippines, Instagram/@kailaestrada
Even though “Can’t Buy Me Love” is heading toward its final episode in May, Belle Mariano and Kaila Estrada believe the friendship that blossomed among the cast members will last “for life.”
Many scenes among the Tiu siblings in the series — comprised of Mariano, Estrada, Maris Racal, Albie Casiño, and Joao Constancia — end up in tense confrontations. But Mariano and Estrada have no problem being “vulnerable” with each other, as they often turn among themselves for comfort.
“[Mamimiss ko] how we bond and talk to each other [at] paano kami mag-asaran, it was helpful na ang daming mabibigat na eksena. We feel so comfortable being vulnerable around each other. Lagi naming sinasabi sa isa’t isa, ‘Uy, for life na ‘to ah,’” Estrada told reporters on the sidelines of a feminine care brand event.
(I will miss how we bonded, talked, and teased each other, it was helpful we had a lot of intense scenes. We feel so comfortable being vulnerable around each other. We always tell ourselves, “This will last for life.”)
On embodying Caroline Tiu
Mariano, who will miss seeing her castmates “four times a week,” said she would treasure the memories of starring as Caroline Tiu, someone worth loving once “you get to know her heart.”
“I remember the first time I [met the directors], I asked how will I do this knowing she’s so guarded,” she recalled. “Even though taping is done, there’s always going to be Caroline in me. You would think she’s too hard, but once you get to know her heart, she’s someone you’d fall in love with.”
Taking on the stance of a supportive ate, Estrada said she’s “so proud” of Mariano for exuding “growth and maturity” behind the scenes.
“I’m so proud of Belle because seeing her from the first day [of taping] to now, she [showed] growth and maturity in her character. It’s hard to play a stoic character. It’s easier to be all-out with your emotions than to temper them. Sobrang hanga ako kay Belle (I really admire Belle for it),” she said.
‘FOR LIFE NA ‘TO AH’
WATCH: Belle Mariano and Kaila Estrada said the nearing finale of “Can’t Buy Me Love” feels “bittersweet” as they’re going to miss spending time with the cast everyday, in a brief chat on the sidelines of a feminine care brand last April 24. | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/evZmdhyKKj
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) April 28, 2024
All love
Throughout the brief chat, a giggling Mariano would say “uy, wait lang” — as if she was holding back her tears — when asked what she would miss about her castmates and working on the series.
“For me, the entire journey of doing ‘Can’t Buy Me Love,’ it made me realize that there’s more than just acting,” she said in response. “You develop something more beautiful which is family and relationships with the cast. It was a big help. I learned so much, and I really loved Caroline.”
READ: Belle Mariano, Donny Pangilinan ‘proud’ of each other’s growth as artists
Estrada, on the other hand, likewise learned a lot from her castmates but noted that she would miss the relationship they developed behind the scenes.
“Other than the growth in terms of the craft, napakahusay ng mga kasama ko. Marami akong natutunan sa kanila,” she said. “It was really the relationship and genuine bond, kahit mabibigat ang eksena. We’re so connected. We’re so bonded that it makes the work so light. There is genuine love.”
(Other than the growth in terms of the craft, my castmates are really good. I learned a lot from them. It was really the relationship and genuine bond even though we had a lot of intense scenes. We’re so connected. We’re so bonded that it makes the work so light. There is genuine love.)
The series also stars Donny Pangilinan, Anthony Jennings, Rowell Santiago, Nova Villa, Agot Isidro, Ina Raymundo, Ruffa Gutierrez, Darren Espanto, Karina Bautista, Alora Sasam, Ketchup Eusebio, and Vivoree Esclito.
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