8 Of The Best Pinay Kontrabidas Then And Now
Because where would our bidas be without them?
We love our Pinoy movies and teleseryes; they help us forget about our real-life problems by shifting our full attention to the struggles of our favorite bidas. But TBH, without the Clara’s and Sasha’s of primetime television/movies, there would be no #plottwist or character development, and our bidas would just not be the same. So here, we list down the meanest, the vilest and bestest kontrabidas we’ve all come to hate on-screen and sometimes, IRL.
Gladys Reyes as Clara in Mara Clara
Gladys Reyes as Clara is what likely made the actress a household name in the 90s. Gladys took on the role of a spoiled brat who actively made Mara’s (Judy Ann Santos) life as miserable as possible. A little trivia, their catfight scenes were so convincing because they actually had to do it; “Pag sinabing ‘Action’, rambulan talaga kung rambulan!” she once told Pep.ph. In real life though, Gladys and Judy Ann are good friends.
Photo via Mara-Clara.wikia.com
Jean Garcia as Claudia Buenavista in Pangako Sa’Yo
Jean Garcia as bida is great, but as a kontrabida, she’s even better. After all, her big acting break came from playing the evil and aristocratic Claudia Buenaventura. The lines between her and Amor Powers, and that sampalan (Claudia’s left hand meets Amor’s backhand) scene were among primetime’s most unforgettable scenes.
Photo via Pep.ph
Cherie Gil as Lavinia in Bituin Walang Ningning
The iconic line “You’re nothing but a second-rate, trying hard, copycat,” might not have been as iconic if it not delivered by Cherie Gil’s Lavinia. Cherie, who portrayed an aristocratic and matapobre diva, was Sharon Cuneta’s character’s worst nightmare. The actress was so convincing and effective that her scene has been immortalized in so many comedy sketches. And yet, no one has been able to say it as scathingly as Cherie did.
Photo via Spot.ph
Celia Rodriguez as Valentina in Lipad, Darna, Lipad
If looks could kill, Celia Rodriguez’s sheer stare would have killed us all. Though she really did as Valentina, the Medusa-inspired villain to Vilma Santos’ Darna. Celia played the role so well that her character has become quite the iconic villain and at the same time, made herself the ultimate kontrabida.
Photo via Darna.wikia.com
Princess Punzalan as Selina in Mula Sa Puso
Princess Punzalan as Selina is probably one of Pinoy TV’s most wicked characters. Who could forget her evil laughter as Via’s (Claudine Barretto) bus exploded? We can still hear her cackle in our heads. Princess is probably among the few villains that make us angry but terrify us all at the same time. She was that good, she bagged the best actress award in ’98.
Photo via Youtube.com
Bella Flores in Everything
The late Lady Dean of Contravidas Bella Flores is the kontrabida who has famously and viciously, terrorized generations of bidas, from Maricel Soriano to Sharon Cuneta and Vilma Santos. Perhaps it was her evil eye, hoarse voice or wicked acting chops that intimidated viewers; the same qualities that laid ground for what makes a truly effective villain.
Photo via Spot.ph
Angelica Panganiban in Rubi
Many of us remember Angelica Panganiban from her child star days. But since taking on more mature roles, most notably as bida-kontrabida Rubi, Angelica has proven herself a versatile actress. “Alam mo kahit kasing laki mo pa yang pintong ‘yan, kayang-kaya kitang patumbahin,” is one of her famous lines in the serye that tells us, Rubi/Angelica is not someone to be messed with.
Photo via Pep.ph
Maricar Reyes Poon as Sasha in Sana Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon
Maricar Reyes Poon’s Sasha may have a face that can do no wrong. But once she puts on her signature dark lipstick and see through her angelic façade, you'll realize she has a cold, cold heart. The kontrabida to Bea Alonzo’s Rose, Sasha does everything in her power to take everything away from Rose, including the love of her life. If that's not pure evil, we don't know what is.
Photo via Philstar.com
Remember that in Seryes as in real life, none of us can shine as bright without some help from own kontrabidas.
