Dannyka Manangan

EXCLUSIVE: Anji Salvacion recalls how she auditioned for ‘The Four Bad Boys and Me’

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>It was a full circle moment for Kapamilya star Anji Salvacion as she landed her first lead role in the film adaptation of the popular Wattpad novel<em> The Four Bad Boys and Me.</em></p><p><em> </em>In an exclusive interview with <strong>PUSH ABS-CBN</strong>, Anji shared her surprise and gratitude upon being cast as the lead character, Candice Gonzales.</p><p> “I am just overwhelmed with gratitude, and thanks to God kasi bless niya ‘to sa ‘kin. And I really never expected this so much ‘cause I went to the audition humbly, na to just be part of the movie. And then, who would’ve known na, di ba? Nakuha ‘yung lead role and then, it’s such a grateful na blessing na galing kay Lord,” she expressed.</p><div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754617336756EXCLUSIVE Anji Salvacion recalls how she auditioned for The Four Bad Boys and Me.png" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div> </div><p>Anji revealed that she was actually a fan of the book back when she was in high school.</p><p> “Yung mga classmates ko before, I was second-year high school nito at that time. So, I was around 13. So, my classmates were like, &#x27;Alam niyo—narinig niyo na ba? Si Jeydon, si Jeydon, parang ganito, love pala niya si Candice!&#x27; So, I don’t know kung ano ‘yung tinotopic nila. Eh, siyempre ako as na-fo-FOMO (fear of missing out) sabi ko, “Ano ba pinag-uusapan niyo? Pwede bang malaman kung anong pinag-uusapan niyo?” Sabi ng mga classmate ko, “Wattpad ‘to! Wattpad ‘to! Magbasa ka! Magbasa ka!” “ Anji recounted.</p><p> She shared how she and her classmates eagerly followed each chapter of the story online.</p><p> “Noong binasa ko, sabi ko, &#x27;I just fell in love.&#x27; Tapos, talagang inaabangan talaga namin lahat after noon—bago pa kasi ‘yun nilabas ni Ms. Tina Lata. So, pangalan pa nun ni Ms. Tina ay blue_maiden pa ‘yung alam ko. Tapos noong nalaman ko na ang ganda pala ng book, inaabangan na ‘to namin, lahat ng mga classmates ko,” she added.</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMIOnDRhmPI/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A4227944.5%2C%22ls%22%3A224261.5%2C%22le%22%3A225026.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="722" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>Anji revealed that they are even arguing about what will happen with their favorite characters from the book.</p><p> “Talagang pinag-aawayan namin kasi pinepredict din namin na ito mangyayari, ito ‘yung mangyayari. So, do’n ko siya naging favorite, tsaka do’n ko siya na-discover—’yung book,” she continued.</p><p> Years later, the beloved book was adapted into a movie by ABS-CBN, and Anji didn’t hesitate to audition—whether for a lead or supporting role. She recalled that she was in disbelief when she was announced and selected to play Candice in the film.</p><p> “Hindi talaga (ako naniwala). Noong sinabi sa akin na ako si Candice, sabi ko “Huh? Totoo ba ‘yan? Ano ba nakita niyo sa‘kin?”,” Anji said.</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-5" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMzLvyURT9g/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A5%2C%22os%22%3A4228129.900000006%2C%22ls%22%3A224261.5%2C%22le%22%3A225026.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="567" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-5" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/7/20/exclusive-river-joseph-describes-charles-as-tough-but-protective-in-the-four-bad-boys-and-me-1934"><strong>READ: EXCLUSIVE: River Joseph describes Charles as &#x27;tough but protective&#x27; in ‘The Four Bad Boys and Me’</strong></a></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>She shared that she still sees herself as a beginner in acting and was hesitant at first.</p><p> “To be honest, I’m not really, like, good pa in acting, and I’m still learning up until now. ‘Cause, this is not my forte. My forte is singing. So, I said na &#x27;Really? What did you see in me?&#x27; Kasi during at that time, parang na-dodown din ako, ganiyan. So I wasn’t in the right mindset din,” she stated.</p><p> “Noong na-receive ko ‘yung news na  ako si Candice, sabi ko, &#x27;Huh? Totoo ba? Uy, baka prank ‘yan, ah.&#x27; Ayan yung initial reaction ko, kasi siyempre, like baguhan pa ako so hindi pa masyado broadened ‘yung knowledge ko about acting, and I still have yet to learn a lot of things pa,” Anji added. “It was a shock, and at the same time, grateful din ako.”</p><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/7/26/exclusive-ac-bonifacio-shares-how-harvey-bautista-helped-her-in-the-four-bad-boys-and-me-1315"><strong>READ: EXCLUSIVE: AC Bonifacio shares how Harvey Bautista helped her in ‘The Four Bad Boys and Me’</strong></a></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754617445056EXCLUSIVE Anji Salvacion recalls how she auditioned for The Four Bad Boys and Me 1.png" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>To bring Candice to life, Anji said she found inspiration in real-life emotions and human experiences.</p><p> “Sa movie, inisip ko kung totoong tao si Candice, ano kaya ‘yung mararamdaman niya?” Anji said. “Yung inspiration ko ay us. All of us. Being human, how do we react, you know, on things that happened around us. Especially if you get bullied, how would you react? Kasi, bullying is such a very sensitive na topic.”</p><p> She further explained, &#x27;Pinuput ko na lang ‘yung sarili ko na “What if ganito ‘yung nangyari sa ‘kin, anong mararamdaman ko?&#x27; Siyempre, feeling ko, malulungkot tayo. And then, parang it’s a very human na reaction, na we feel down when we get bullied, and our confidence really shrinks.”</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMam_YJyOus/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A4228174.5%2C%22ls%22%3A224261.5%2C%22le%22%3A225026.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="857" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/7/19/exclusive-brent-manalo-to-channel-inner-good-boy-in-the-four-bad-boys-and-me-movie-0852"><strong>READ: EXCLUSIVE: Brent Manalo to channel inner ‘good boy’ in ‘The Four Bad Boys and Me’ movie</strong></a></div><div> </div><p>Directed by Benedict Mique, <em>The Four Bad Boys and Me</em> is now streaming on the ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel and iWant app. The coming-of-age story also stars Gelo Rivera, Harvey Bautista, River Joseph, Brent Manalo, Dustine Mayores, Krystal Brimner, AC Bonifacio, Analain Salvador, and Gela Alonte.</p>

<p>Anji Salvacion says she auditioned in three stages to be part of ‘The Four Bad Boys and Me’ film adaptation.</p>

Anji Salvacion says she auditioned in three stages to be part of ‘The Four Bad Boys and Me’ film adaptation.