Some actresses excel in specific roles – either as protagonists evoking sympathy, or as villains provoking anger. But some can do both. There are female stars who are so fierce and multifaceted that they can play both good and bad in a single character in a teleserye. They are the 'bida-kontrabidas.
Marvel at the brilliance and versatility of the actresses featured in this edition of Kapamilya Time-List.
We begin the list with Optimum Star Claudine Barretto, who dazzled as Catherine Ramirez in the 2008 drama "Iisa Pa Lamang." Claudine masterfully portrayed a vengeful woman determined to punish those who caused her pain. This TV series was a tribute to female strength and power, made even more impressive by the fact that Claudine filmed it after giving birth in 2007.
Talent truly runs in the Barretto family. Claudine’s niece, Julia Barretto, likewise showed her range by playing both the sweetheart and the mean girl in the 2015 afternoon drama “And I Love You So.” Julia’s character, Trixie, was a certified evil stepsister to Joanna (Miles Ocampo) but a loving daughter to her parents.
Angelica Panganiban has cemented her status as one of the entertainment industry's most flexible talents. Renowned for her beauty and quick wit, she adeptly brings to life bida-kontrabida roles in teleseryes. A standout example is her version of the titular character in the 2010 Philippine adaptation of the 2004 Mexican drama, "Rubi." The story was about a woman striving to escape poverty by any means necessary, even it means destroying the lives of the people around her.
Dubbed as the “Queen of Revenge Drama,” Maja Salvador likes her teleseryes dark, intense, and powerful. One of her standout performances as a bida-kontrabida was in "Wildflower" (2015), where she breathed life to Lily Cruz/Ivy Aguas. In the series, her character courageously battled the notorious and corrupt Ardiente political clan, proving that she's evem scarier than the most powwerful family reigning supreme in their town.
In a departure from her usual roles, Teleserye Quenn Judy Ann Santos owned Atty. Teresa "Tere" Dichaves-Manalo in the 2029 primetime series “Starla”. Tere was depicted as a tough, hotshot lawyer, who harbored resentment towards her father. Gregorio "Mang Greggy" Dichavez (Joel Torre). Starla was significant milestone for Judy Ann and her fans as it marked her teleserye comeback since her last appearance in the 2013 series “Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala.”
Next on our list is the incomparable Jodi Sta. Maria of “Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin” (2020). With her innate elegance, she brought depth to the role of Marissa Pineda, who returned with a payback plan after serving time in jail for her best friend Ellice Cenidoza (by Iza Calzado)'s crime, bent on stealing everything from Ellice as revenge, including her company and her husband.
Erich Gonzales also made a lasting impression with her acting in "La Vida Lena" (2021). The story began with Magda (Erich), a poor woman with a scarred face, whose life turned into a living hell when she clashed with the Narciso clan by refusing to sell them her beauty soap formula. Frail yet headstrong, she vowed to make her enemies pay as she returned as the beautiful and powerful Lena.
Janella Salvador amazed viewers with her duality in “Mars Ravelo’s Darna” (2023). Audience lauded her for being effective as the mortal with a broken soul, Regina, and at the same time, as the sinister Serpent Queen Valentina. The character of Regina wasn’t your ordinary villain since she had a good heart and worked hard to keep it. All she wanted in the beginning was to be exalted as the hero. However, jealousy and rage pushed her to love than despise the snakes on her head. And with her venom and desire for vengeance, she spread terror around Nueva Esperanza, clashing with the town’s superhero, Darna (Jane de Leon).
Born with the ability to portray a scene’s emotions only through her eyes, or the ‘mata-mata’ acting as they call it, Janine Gutierrez seamlessly knitted the character of Alexa Salvacion to her own flesh. In the revenge saga “Dirty Linen” (2023), Alexa embodied a woman capable of not only enduring pain but also mustering up the nerve to fight for truth as she resolved her mother and her friends’ relatives’ mysterious “disappearance” all the while exacting vengeance on the Fiero clan.
Joining the ranks of these multifaceted actresses is Elisse Joson. She is hands down one of the most stunning faces in showbiz. As she continues to improve in her craft, she demonstrates that she’s one of the most talented as well. Just last year, she earned plaudits from fans for her performance as the funny yet bad girl Hilary Abiog in “Pira-Pirasong Paraiso”. She made viewers disdain Hilary’s ‘maldita’ ways but there were also moments when Hilary’s painful and hard life evoked sympathy – a true bida-kontrabida indeed.
These actresses have proven time and time again that they have the range and versatility to tackle bida-kontrabida roles with depth and nuance, leaving a lasting impact on audiences with their memorable performances.