Kick-ass cutie’s versatile fashion

BEA’S cabinet is filled with clothes of various styles.

Onscreen, GMA 7 teen star Bea Binene looks like a dainty and delicate miss. But the wushu champ packs a mean wallop and can be just as unpredictable when it comes to her fashion sense.

The star of the primetime soap “Luna Blanca Book Two” has built quite a collection of clothes and accessories through the years.

The former child star’s bedroom in the family home in Caloocan City looks like a walk-in closet—or more accurately, a fashion warehouse, overflowing with all sorts of girly stuff.

Row upon row of shoes and clothes are crammed in the closets. Accessories are stored in plastic boxes, while designer bags are displayed in a cabinet, along with shades, caps and stuffed toys.

Bea, who recently released a CD entitled “Hey, It’s Me” (PolyEast/Galaxy Records), considers Hollywood pop stars Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez as her ultimate style icons.

“I like the way they dress up. Chic, chill, kick-ass cutie,” quips the B.U.M. clothing apparel endorser.

Recently, she was chosen to be a different kind of pitch person, for the “I’m a Girl” advocacy of Plan International, along with “Luna Blanca” sister Barbie Forteza.

After Haribon and the Kapuso Foundation, Bea says she’s thrilled to get actively involved in a cause that seeks to promote the rights and welfare of young women.

Last year, she launched the Bea Binene Cares Foundation.

Practical shopper

“I like to mix and match,” Bea says. “I like to wear clothes that are unique and will make me stand out in a crowd.”

She admits that she can be thrifty, though.

“I won’t buy anything that’s not on sale,” she confesses. “I’m willing to wait for a discount.”

She advises other young people to be practical shoppers, too: “Always stick to basics. Don’t get carried away by trends.”

She’s equally at ease sporting the rock-star Goth designs of B.U.M., apart from the sleek and Spartan wushu and fuzhuang uniforms, and frilly and fluffy princess gowns.

Bea, who dreams of becoming an action star someday, can also be edgy and eclectic when it comes to sartorial choices.

It’s all about versatility.

Bag lady

Bea is a self-confessed bag lady.

LACOSTE tote from Derrick Monasterio

But most of the designer totes in her closet are gifts.

The Hermes Birkin and Louis Vuitton Speedy are presents from friends.

Her Nine West bag is a gift from a godfather.

An orange Lacoste is a gift from the crew of an old show “Bahay Mo Bato,” while a lavender Lacoste is a present from “Luna Blanca” costar Derrick Monasterio.

She hasn’t used the Lacoste from Derrick yet—making the heartthrob feel dejected.

“I often bring along a sling bag or huge bags that have plenty of space because I need to bring a lot of things to the set,” she reveals.

Imeldific

She’s a budding Imeldific shoeaholic, who’s always on the lookout for size 6 footwear.

Two colorful pairs of Zoo York sneakers are gifts from GMA Films big boss Annette Gozon-Abrogar.

She also has lots of Vans pairs because the shoe company is one of her sponsors. Her Vans family makes sure that she has the latest styles.

She’d rather wear cute Hello Kitty Vans sneakers all the time, but she needs to get used to stilettos and wedges because of her job.

For more sophisticated events, she dons Aldo open pumps.

She has a few pairs from Skechers, Red Logo and Zanea.

She once stumbled on a great find—a pair of killer boots, near the set of her old afternoon soap “Pahiram ng Isang Ina.” “It only cost P500,” she enthuses.

Discounted eyewear

When it comes to eyewear, she goes for aviator and wayfarer types.

The most expensive pair of shades in her stash costs P14,000, but she got it for almost half the price.

“My mom [Carina] usually buys eyewear in China,” Bea says. “She only buys shades that are on sale.”

Like mom, like daughter.

Useful headgear

Hats and caps are perfect for bad hair days.

CAPS from Vans, Bizarre and Lizzie

She puts on caps from Vans, Bizarre and Lizzie and hats from Penshoppe. During a mall show, she lost a favorite hat.

“That was a bummer,” she says.

Another fave is a black and purple cap from Vans.

Nothing flashy

For bangles, bracelets and beads, she avoids flashy and glittery trinkets.

“I prefer neutral colors, black or silver,” she relates.

She had the “B” pendant specially made: “It’s pure gold.”

She owns several gold pieces that her mom chose for her.

“We get to shop when there’s a sale abroad,” Bea points out. Her mom agrees, saying accessories are quite inexpensive in Guangzhou, China.

From the United States, she got three accessories organizers made from old Barbie dolls.

“My accessories organizers were even featured on the TV show ‘Lovely Day,’” she recounts.

Scents collector

THERE are at least 16 different scents on her vanity dresser.

Bea is a serious collector of fragrances.

She has at least 16 different scents on her vanity dresser, making it look and smell like a fragrance counter of a Duty Free shop.

Among her faves are Bulgari, Ralph Lauren, Mont Blanc, Rochas Fleur d’Eau, Elizabeth Arden Green Tea, Davidoff Blue Water, Anna Sui Secret Wish, Gucci Rush, Lacoste, Escada, among others.

She’s not so keen on floral fragrances: “I just want to feel fresh and neat the whole day. Bulgari and Anna Sui are super sweet.”

She keeps at least six bottles of Bulgari Omnia on standby.

Basic cosmetics

She sticks to basics when it comes to cosmetics.

In her makeup kit are the usual job necessities: lip gloss, mascara, foundation, curlash.

Among the brands she swears by are Mac, Suesh, Stila, Shu Uemura, Maybelline, Smashbox, Too Faced.

Stuffed toys

Her fans have showered her with lots and lots of stuffed toys and other mementos. After all, she’s still a kid at heart.

The angel figures are souvenirs from the old QTV show “The Sweet Life.” The teddy bear is a gift from a friend, too.

During a show in Tagum, Davao, a fan gave her the stuffed toy she keeps in her bedroom.

“Our fans are so sweet, they had a pillow made with the photo of (screen partner) Jake (Vargas),” she tells.

According to GMA Artist Center, she will be paired anew with Jake in a forthcoming teleserye after “Luna Blanca.”

Gadget freak

She’s a certified gadget freak.

CAMERAS for the shutterbug and videographer

She can never get enough of the latest gadgets—whether it’s a laptop (Acer), tablet (iPad, Samsung Tab), cell phone (iPhone), camera (Canon S90, Canon EOS 55, Sony Handicam), music player (Samsung S5 MP4) or DVD player (Next Base, Polaroid).

Like most teeners who are hooked on video games, she never leaves home without a Portable PlayStation Slim.

“When I want to buy a new gadget, I sell my old one,” she says. “With the earnings from the old models, I can buy the latest gadget.”

She’s eagerly waiting for the latest iPhone, of course.

(E-mail [email protected])

Photos by Romy Homillada