Since its premiere, Kapamilya series “Dirty Linen” has been receiving raves and 'gigil’ from hooked viewers. Beyond the interesting plot itself, the ensemble cast’s flawless acting in bone-chilling confrontations made the teleserye a huge phenomenon.

From young stars to veterans, everyone has had their share of intense word wars and catfights. But in this Kapamilya Toplist video, we’re putting the spotlight on Francine Diaz and Xyriel Manabat’s arresting clashes as Chiara and Tonet, respectively.

What makes their showdown more entertaining is that they give new flavors to classic teleserye confrontations. They never resort to hysteria. They just have to deliver their lines in a witty and savage manner. Recall the scene where Chiara was making a scrapbook of their recent trip but excluding photos that have Tonet in them. Now, here comes Tonet ready to push Chiara’s buttons by insisting her photos be included in the scrapbook.

Chiara opted to cut the drama and walk away, while Tonet smiled in satisfaction and declared that she always gets what she wants.

In the next scene, though, Chiara proved that she is their clan’s golden child. Tonet confronted Chiara for partying with her original squad without permission. Now it’s about stealing friends and who’s the cool girl between them. Tonet fired the first round of insults, saying that not everyone will like Chiara, not even Nico (Seth Fedelin), and that some people get close to her just because she’s a Fiero. Besides, she pressed, Chiara is too sheltered and a boring companion.

The equally ‘palaban’ Chiara retorted that Tonet isn’t likable to everyone as well. Though there was no hysteria vented out in this showdown, the witty exchange made it too satisfying, with Chiara capping it off by asking Tonet, “At least ako, Fiero. Ikaw, ano nga ulit apelyido mo?”

Apart from their mansion, the campus is their favorite warzone. There was an instance when Tonet called out two of their classmates, her OG best friends, for bullying Nico by putting trash inside his bag. She insinuated that her friends changed for the worse since getting close to Chiara. The latter entered the classroom just in time, and got the message: She was being described as a bad influence. The war of words circled around who influenced who to be bad.

Infuse the rivalry with some ‘boy issues’ and it sure is going to get a lot fiercer. Nico was there to comfort Chiara amid the latter's family drama. Of course, Tonet was jealous, thus she pointed out that Chiara seems to be copying her Kuya Aidan (Zanjoe Marudo), who fell in love with their maid Mila (Janine Gutierrez). Tonet pressed that Chiara became exactly the people she used to insult, bringing up the many times her cousin mocked her mom, Feliz (Angel Aquino), for marrying her poor dad, Ador (Epy Quizon). Funny, she provoked her by saying that their family loves charity cases and “busabos-mayaman” love stories.

Triggered, Chiara replied that Aidan and Mila are not yet married, unlike Feliz and Ador. Chiara failed to control her ego and looked down on Tonet’s “poor” family, prompting the latter to comment, “Welcome back sa totoong matayog at matapobreng Chiara Fiero.”

When news about Aidan’s arrest due to his participation in a fight club spread, Chiara naturally came to his defense. However, Tonet implied that Aidan has had temper issues, which isn’t a secret to their family. Chiara expressed disgust over Tonet tainting Aidan’s name instead of protecting him like what family does.

Well, a family can get uninvited to her own cousin’s party like when Tonet was deleted from Chiara’s guest list. But, she sure knows how to play her cards by stressing that Chiara can’t even win her mother’s love because she’s a brat. Pro 'maldita' tip from Tonet: Wound your enemy's ego through her weakness.

When the big day arrived, Chiara was upset after somebody hacked her laptop to send an email informing her classmates that the party was canceled. Chiara weaved the clues together and concluded that Tonet was the culprit. She confronted her cousin. She must be so mad she declared that they’re not just F.O. as in friendship over, but C.O. as well. Read: Cousins over!

In another clip in this video montage, Tonet teased Chiara for hanging out in a cheap place with Nico. Knowing where the sarcasm is coming from, Chiara tried to provoke Tonet by telling her that she can also bring her ex-friends to the same cheap place so she doesn’t have to feel envious.

The young actresses levelled up their emotions in confrontation scenes that stemmed from their family’s dirty secrets. The unfair treatment toward Ador, who was forced to own up to Carlos (John Arcilla)’s crime, angered Tonet so much that she confronted Chiara about it. The latter tried to speak up, but all hell broke loose because Tonet has had enough of the injustices that her family has unreasonably received just to protect the other side of the clan.

Don’t miss the finale week of Dirty Linen on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, TV5, and A2Z.