Just on her first primetime teleserye, Yukii Takahashi is already en route to becoming showbiz’s next big thing. Her growing popularity serves as proof. “I’m very, very happy when people call me by my character name, which is Camille. Parang nafe-feel ko na, ‘Okay, parang nandito na ako sa step na ‘to. Nandito na ako milestone na ‘to. Nasa loob na ako ng ABS-CBN and people do recognize me.’”

Yukii was asked by Hotspot host Dj Jhai Ho about her FPJ’s Batang Quiapo co-stars. She mentioned that she hasn’t acted with most of them, but she’s looking forward to sharing screen with the more senior actors like John Estrada, whom she described as humble. The first time they met was when they shot the ‘motel’ scene of John and Mercedes Cabral’s characters, together with McCoy de Leon. To recall, Yukii and John’s characters almost met in that scene.

She’s excited to act with Cherry Pie Picache as well. The same goes for Charo Santos, though she’s admittedly nervous just thinking about the possibility of acting opposite the influential woman. And when that day comes, she’d feel blessed and honored.

Yukii had nice things to say about Lovi Poe, “I didn’t feel na she was a big artist. Nag-aalok pa siya ng mga pagkain niya.” She shared that Lovi was sweet and humble when they met.

Among the cast, she works closely with McCoy, who plays her boyfriend in the series. And she can vouch for the actor’s big-heartedness, a contrast to his perennially miffed onscreen persona. Asked if she felt awkward with their intimate scene, Yukii answered that she wasn’t, as she’s known McCoy and his partner Elisse Joson before FPJ’s Batang Quiapo. She’s comfortable with him. They would throw lines and talk about their scene before the actual take, and most of the time, Direk Coco would give them advice.

"Kay Direk Coco, sobrang naa-appreciate ko how he helps other artists lalo na ‘yung matatanda na, which I admire kasi there are people pala na mga sikat na pero ganun pa rin ang puso, may puso talaga for everyone,” she talked about their director, whose no-script technique has taught her the essence of acting. “Natutunan ko sa kanila na acting is reacting. Acting is absorbing and listening.”

She still feels the jitters to this day, but she’s very much eager to learn. Yukii hints at more exciting scenes to watch for her character, such as how Camille will introduce David (McCoy) to her family, considering that they come from opposite background.

Catch Yukii Takahashi in FPJ’s Batang Quiapo, weeknights, on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, TV5 and A2Z.