Just six months after she entered showbiz, Bianca Manalo is getting her own launching project, Juanita Banana, which is slated to replace tentatively before October ends. “Sobrang happy kasi parang feeling ko sobra akong blessed kasi may ibang artista mga bata pa lang nagsi-start tapos nung lumaki sila tsaka sila nabigyan ng break. Tapos ako parang kakapasok lang tapos heto agad meron na akong sarili kong show,” marveled the Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2009 representative. The 23-year-old aspiring actress is thankful for the showbiz opportunities even if she did not make it to be a finalist in the Miss Universe competition. “’Di ba parang known naman ‘yung beauty queens ‘yung napapasok sa showbiz ‘yung naging finalist, ‘yung nanalo ganyan so happy ako, sobrang blessed talaga ako.”

Bianca was first seen in the teleserye Magkaribal where she portrayed Gigi, the kikay aspiring model and best friend of Gelai (portrayed by Bea Alonzo). Bianca’s portrayal was so natural that she earned praises from viewers and critics. She also told Push.com.ph that her role in her upcoming afternoon teleserye is pegged after Gigi.

Bianca is aware that others might raise their eyebrows that she did not have to wait too long to get her big break, but she would rather focus on the positive. “Siguro po sabihin ko na lang, eh blessed lang talaga ako kung ito ang binigay ni Lord, kunin ko lang ito,” she said.

When asked what is it she thinks helped her nail it, Bianca replied, “Siguro madasalin po kasi ako. Hindi ko naman ginagawa para sa sarili ko, iniisip ko ‘yung mga tao kasi gusto ko ‘yung nasa-satisfy ko ‘yung mga nanonood kaya sobrang happy ako sa feedback na sobrang natural ‘yung dating para sa akin. Parang siyempre okay ‘yung uma-acting ka tapos iniisip nila natural lang.”

A former flight attendant, Bianca said that she never specifically intended to become an actress but has always been certain that she wanted to be part of the entertainment industry. “Parang iniisip ko I’d die of boredom ‘pag nasa office ako doing paper work.”

Being family-oriented, the beauty queen-actress shared that her family is as happy as she is with how her showbiz career is going. “Sino ba naman ako may mage–end na show tapos may ibabatong bagong show na akong kukunin pwede namang iba na dati pang artista.” As early as now, Bianca said that her family is already teasing her about her upcoming project. “Nagbibiruan sa bahay ang tawag sa akin Juanita na,” she said fondly.