Yukii Takahashi talks about working with Charo, Cherry Pie, McCoy in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo”

Being new to the eyes of Kapamilya viewers, not to mention her striking beauty and impressive acting prowess, many were indeed curious about up-and-coming actress Yukii Takahashi, who plays the character of Camille in FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.

We may not have seen her a lot yet throughout the one-year-run of the well-loved primetime action-drama series, but most of her scenes arguably created a mark because of how she nailed her performance as a battered girlfriend of David, one of the irksome antagonists compellingly portrayed by McCoy de Leon.

Just in case you’re one of those who wish to know her a bit more, ent.abs-cbn.com recently had the chance to catch up with Yukii, wherein she got to react to some of her scenes in FPJ’s Batang Quiapo and even enthusiastically talked about her experiences on being part of it.

First was the intense scene wherein the hot-headed David physically abused the pregnant Camille after she insisted on checking his cellphone to find out who he was talking to. This absolutely got audiences mad at David because of how he forcefully hit Camille, but Yukii revealed that not all of it was true. Although she requested their directors for McCoy to really slap her, they disagreed because she would be hurt for real. Nonetheless, she still felt dizzy and her cheeks hurt afterward after being held tightly by McCoy on her jaw.

“Si McCoy, very professional siya. Very professional and he really loves his job. Tsaka mahal na mahal niya si David. So, talagang he puts more, more effort in understanding the script. Sometimes, I do learn how to deliver lines with his character,” she said when asked to describe how McCoy is as a co-actor.

Her inclusion in FPJ’s Batang Quiapo is “biglaan” and “unexpected” according to Yukii. She recalled receiving a call from a staff, who notified her that she’s being cast after seeing an audition clip of her from a previous acting job. She immediately received a call back the following day and was supposed to be just a guest cast, specifically in the “school era” of David. But after trending on social media, she completely became a part of it.

Second is the heartwarming scene wherein Tindeng (Charo Santos) gave Camille a pep talk while confined in the hospital after she almost had a miscarriage. “Lola Tindeng hits different. Whenever she speaks, it’s very loving,” she commented after watching the clip, expounding that listening to the veteran actress-turned-TV executive speak feels like a motherly embrace.

It was their first-ever scene together and Yukii found it funny that she was already touched by everything Charo was saying – to the point that she had to control herself from shedding a tear – since the reels were not rolling yet and the latter was just rehearsing the delivery of her lines.

“Sobrang kinabahan ako kay Ma’am Charo, pero, at the same time, I was so happy, so fulfilled, and super thankful kasi nagkaroon ako ng opportunity to act with Ms. Charo. She’s super nice, that she inspires me to be nicer to everyone,” she said about talking with the veteran actress.

Charo has also imparted a lot of life and career lessons to her, but the one that stands out the most is when she reminded her to learn to put her ego on the side in order for her to grow and acquire new learnings both as an individual and as an artist.

Third is the scene wherein Camille commended the beauty of Marites, played by Cherry Picache, to which she laughed as she remembered the funny moment they had while doing it. Aside from being fun to be with, Yukii admires Cherry Pie as well for being the “mother-type” at work who gives “tough love”.

She also confessed how “super kabado” she was at first to work alongside some of the veteran actors in the local entertainment scene. She related how superbly amazed she is at how they’re able to switch on emotions of their respective characters or of a certain scene in just a snap.

With regard to the preparations she undertakes everytime she has to do scenes with the veterans, she conveyed, “Mas lalo kong kinikilala si Camille kasi ang laging sinasabi nila, if kilala mo ‘yong character mo, alam mo kung ano ‘yong ire-react niya, alam mo kung ano ‘yong sasabihin niya, alam mo kung ano ang mararamdaman ng character mo. So, talagang mas kinikilala ko si Camille – ‘yong traumas niya, ‘yong issues niya, ‘yong uncomfortability na nararamdaman niya sa bahay na magulo.”

The fourth and last scene was when the parents of Camille brought her to the police station to report the physical abuse inflicted on her by David. While her performance here was impressive, Yukii confessed that she’s actually quite disappointed about it since she wasn’t able to give her all in this scene. Yet, she’s still happy as she considered it a learning experience and promised to do better next time.

Probably just like what other actors do, she internalizes by setting aside Yukii and embodying Camille more in order to fully exude the emotions required in a particular scene, since she hasn’t experienced yet her character’s predicaments.

Nevertheless, Yukii is still able to identify with Camille with regard to how both of them went through hard-hitting ordeals at young ages, which obligated them to mature early and suppress their pains.

Apart from the suspenseful action-packed and dramatic scenes and astounding performances of its ensemble cast, FPJ’s Batang Quiapo is also popular for its “no-script acting” system. As an up-and-coming actress, Yukii finds it challenging because she usually has no idea how she would prepare herself for a certain taping day. But it’s also a great learning experience for her as it allows her to know her character on a deeper level. Thus, she still has nothing but gratitude to their directors.

Catch Yukii on FPJ’s Batang Quiapo, weeknights after TV Patrol on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, TV5 and A2Z.