As the premiere for ABS-CBN’s all-new gag show nears, the girls of Banana Split are all excited with their newest project. During a pocket press conference last September 25, Angelica Panganiban, Cristine Reyes, Dianne Medina and Princess Ryan gamely faced the press to talk about working together.
Other cast members that were noticeably absent were Roxanne Guinoo who was busy taping for Ligaw Na Bulaklak and Wowowee co-hosts Valerie Concepcion and RR Herrera who were doing the noontime variety show during that same time.
After spending just a short time bonding with each other, the girls admit that they have yet to really get to know each other. “Kinikilala pa rin naming yung isa’t isa ngayon so hindi pa rin namin alam kung sino ang ka-match namin ng ugali,” Angelica says.
Cristine, on the other hand says that the good vibes on the set makes it almost impossible for anybody to cause friction with someone else. “Pag nandun ka na sa set ng Banana Split, mawawala talaga yung pagod niyo, promise. Kasi masaya talaga kaming lahat pag magkakasama. Lahat kami naglolokohan. Tatlong beses pa lang kami nagte-taping so hindi ko pa masabi, wala pang time uminit ang ulo ko. Siguro naman sa set hindi kami magkakainitan ng ulo, plastikan na lang. (laughs). Wala pa talagang ganung incident na nangyari,” she stresses.
Even Princess Ryan agrees with the two. “Feeling ko matatanggal yung init ng ulo pag nasa set ka na kasi lahat masaya. Parang nakakahawa talaga yung positive vibes, yung saya sa studio,” she shares.
Cristine also clarifies the issue that she requested to have her own dressing room while the other Banana Split girls have to share with each other. Kasi yung dressing room ko maliit, ang kasama ko talaga dapat sa dressing room si Valerie. Eh since galing si Valerie sa Wowowee dressing room, ako nalang mag-isa dun,” she explains.
Angelica also helps clarify the situation. “Ang alam talaga namin, sila Cristine at Val talaga ang magkasama. Kaya lang si Val at saka si RR giniginaw, kasi malamig dun sa dressing room namin, hindi nahihinaan ang aircon. Eh dun sa dressing room ng Wowowee puwedeng patayin yung aircon, so doon silang dalawa. At saka andun na lahat ng gamit nila, so para hindi na sila naglilipat ng gamit. So si Cristine, naiiwan siyang mag-isa,” she states.
Angelica also admits that the size of their dressing rooms is actually ideal for just one person. “Kami ni Roxanne yung magkasama. Pero kasi maliliit yung mga dressing room talaga, kung kaya nga na isang tao lang, isang tao lang dapat. Tsaka gamit pa lang namin, puno na yung dressing room. Pero nag-ru-room to room talaga kami, promise yan walang plastikan. Dinadalaw ko si Cristine kasi mag-isa lang siya, nakikipagtsikahan na ako lalo na pag sawa na ako kay Roxanne (laughs). Tapos pag sawa na ako sa kanya, lipat naman ako sa iba. Ganun lang,” she says.
A visibly happier Cristine, who had to be hospitalized last week due to over fatigue from taping three shows, expressed how Banana Split is always something she looks forward to taping the most. “Sobrang bonding kami kapag may taping. Kasi hiwa-hiwalay kami ng dressing room, so minsan ako nanga-nga-pitbahay kila Angelica at saka kina Roxanne. Kumukuha ako sa pagkain nila kasi ang dami nilang pagkain dun! Pag nasa set, tawa lang kami ng tawa, ganun,” she happily admits.
Angelica also adds on to her sentiment, “Once nandun ka na sa set, yung energy ng lahat ng tao. Ang saya-saya, full of energy talaga sila dun. Ang mga extra energy nila nado-donate nila sayo,” she exclaims. Even former Wazzup Wazzup tadjock Dianne Medina says that there is no rivalry among her castmates. ”It’s not an insecurity, its more of paghanga dun sa mga kasama mo. Lahat naman po sila sexy, magaganda. So it’s more of like si Cristine hahanga ako na maganda yung katawan niya,” she comments.
Even Angelica couldn’t help but gush about how she envies her Banana Split co-star. “Ang lakas-lakas niya kumain tapos hindi pa rin siya tumataba! Ang ganda talaga ng katawan niya, kung ako yung babae, puwede akong makipagpalit ng katawan sa kanya. Ang ganda ganda talaga ng katawan niya tapos ang ganda ng tiyan niya. Kasi ako kahit wala akong tiyan, wala akong shape. Sa kanya, ang sarap titigan, ganun, nakaka-tomboy! (laughs)” she says in jest.
