Czarina Faith Abuso

Kaila, Janella, Sue, and Charlie get candid about their dream kontrabida-bida roles

Article (news)

Rianna Mae Santiago

Duality is no stranger to versatile actresses Kaila Estrada, Janella Salvador, Sue Ramirez, and Charlie Dizon, who are now portraying their intriguing “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/what-lies-beneath" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">What Lies Beneath</a>” characters as the tough Atty. Erica Melendez (Kaila), the soft-spoken accountant Alice Quintana-Miller (Janella), the glamorous influencer Mel Barrera-Montenegro (Sue), and the fierce teacher Beth Sevilla-Mora (Charlie). When asked who their ideal counterpart, or “bida,” would be if they were to become iconic “kontrabidas,” the stars answered with infectious confidence.<div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABq3WIoOiqYo3cUR"></script></div>In just four years, the impressive Kaila has already delivered every acting role of hers with impeccable precision and well-embodied compelling personalities. From Raven Ramones in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/viralscandal/articles-videos/10-scenes-that-show-the-unedited-truth-about-ravens-relationship-with-audrey-in-viral-scandal-16535" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Viral Scandal</a>,” Atty. Sylvia Lualhati in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/linlang2023/articles-videos/10-times-sylvia-showed-love-and-loyalty-to-alex-in-linlang-the-teleserye-version-21719" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Linlang</a>,” Bettina Tiu in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/cantbuymelove/articles-videos/10-times-bettina-showed-anger-and-bitterness-in-cant-buy-me-love-22227" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Can’t Buy Me Love</a>,” and Max Alvero in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/incognito" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Incognito</a>,” it goes without saying that she can easily transform into a ‘kontrabida’ with a commanding presence. For her chosen “bida,” the actress chose the Gawad Urian and FAMAS awardee Janine Gutierrez.“I’ve always wanted to work with Ate Janine Gutierrez, and I think that we would work well together,” Kaila explained. The seasoned actress Sue Ramirez also weighed in, revealing her ideal protagonist: none other than Jean Garcia, a true icon of “kontrabida” acting. Sue can definitely challenge the revered actress, thanks to her trending performance as Lexy Lucero in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/tbmv2022/articles-videos/15-most-hated-scenes-of-sue-ramirez-as-the-mistress-in-the-broken-marriage-vow-16826">The Broken Marriage Vow</a>,” the Philippine adaptation of the British drama series “Doctor Foster,” where she went eye-to-eye with another veteran actress, Jodi Sta. Maria.“Para makaganti naman tayo para sa lahat ng sinampal niya [ni Ms. Jean Garcia]. Charot,” Sue joked. Meanwhile, scene-stealing stars Janella Salvador and Charlie Dizon chose to be the ‘kontrabida’ themselves, delivering a two-in-one performance to the best of their abilities. Janella has already bagged darker and bolder characters, making her more than suitable for the role in question, particularly in her portrayal of the mysterious Emma Bonaobra in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/9/18/is-joshnella-the-multo-that-keeps-haunting-your-fangirl-heart-see-throwback-pics-the-killer-bride-0921" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Killer Bride</a>” and the infamous villainess Regina Vanguardia, a.k.a. Valentina, in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/darna/articles-videos/20-times-janella-impressed-with-her-duality-as-regina-valentina-in-mars-ravelos-darna-18684" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mars Ravelo’s Darna</a>.”“Honestly, gusto ko ngayon mag-bida kontrabida… so, ako na lang din,” Janella shared.With almost a decade in the entertainment industry, Charlie Dizon has also delivered numerous notable performances on television. The ‘kontrabida-bida’ role could easily be hers, as seen in her portrayal of the fierce pirate Marikit in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2024/11/26/behind-the-scenes-pasilip-sa-mga-kaganapan-sa-set-ng-bagani-1624" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bagani</a>,” and Diana Paraiso in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/paraiso2023/articles-videos/10-heartbreaking-scenes-of-charlie-dizon-as-diana-in-pira-pirasong-paraiso-20506" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pira-pirasong Paraiso</a>”“Pangarap ko maging bida-kontrabida also,” Charlie expressed.Catch them in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/what-lies-beneath" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">What Lies Beneath</a>,” weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), A2Z, TV5, and <a href="https://app.iwanttfc.com/dFR6MWHAcVb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">iWant</a>.

The superstar ensemble of the new Kapamilya teleserye, “What Lies Beneath,” share their preferred kontrabida-bida celebrities in a Kapamilya Exclusive interview.

The superstar ensemble of the new Kapamilya teleserye, “What Lies Beneath,” share their preferred kontrabida-bida celebrities in a Kapamilya Exclusive interview.