Anna Marie Lukban

Gillian on her auditions, preparations as the 'black sheep' Erika in "FPJ’s Batang Quiapo

Article (news)

Liezel Dela Cruz

Growing up in Quiapo, Gillian Vicencio has always dreamed of being part of the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/batangquiapo">&quot;FPJ’s Batang Quiapo&quot;</a> series to proudly represent her hometown on screen. She&#x27;s finally ticking this wish off her acting bucket list as she steps in as one of the newest additions to the cast for the series&#x27; highly anticipated third chapter. And her role is putting her alongside some of the industry&#x27;s powerhouse actors.She will be playing Erika Guerrero, the black sheep of the influential Guerrero political clan. Even Gillian herself admits she gets frustrated with her character, which is probably a sign that viewers will feel the same way once Erika appears in the story. Gillian shared that she had previously auditioned for <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/batangquiapo">&quot;FPJ&#x27;s Batang Quiapo&quot;</a> (and even in Coco Martin&#x27;s previous project, &quot;FPJ&#x27;s Ang Probinsyano&quot;). So, when she finally got the call to join &#x27;Batang Quiapo&#x27; after a long wait, Gillian immediately said yes to the offer. After all, she’s a legit Quiapo kid. Just to be part of the top-rating action-drama series is already an honor for her, so she accepted the role right away even before knowing who else would be joining its Book 3.It was only later that she learned she’d be working with screen icons like Celia Rodriguez, Chanda Romero, Albert Martinez, Angel Aquino, and Jake Cuenca. &quot;Pano ako magke-keep up? Paano ako sasabay sa galing nilang lahat? So, Ikaw na &#x27;to, Lord!&quot; she laughed when asked about her initial reaction.Gillian knew she had to come prepared. Starting with her look, the creatives provided her with a deck for Erika&#x27;s sexy and rebellious visual, which is the total opposite of her laidback style in real life. But wardrobe does more than just dress the part. For Gillian, it helps her get into her character&#x27;s tone, &quot;Feel na feel ko na &#x27;yung sarili ko, kung paano ako tumayo, umupo, at maglakad. Nakakatulong &#x27;yung damit sa akin.&quot; Gillian adds that Erika&#x27;s privileged and headstrong nature is nothing like her, hence her effort to find a connection with the Guerrero troublemaker. After all, she believes that every character always has something relatable, especially when she reminds herself that she’s portraying a real person. To make it easier, she studied pegs or people who closely match Erika’s personality.The next challenge was blending in with the Guerrero clan, most of whom are portrayed by veteran actors. Gillian felt the weight of their experience when she saw them on her first day on set. She was admittedly shy, but to her relief, everyone was welcoming. For now, she sticks to polite greetings with the senior stars, but she&#x27;s confident that their conversations will flow more easily in time. Thankfully, there was someone from the Guerrero family she could talk casually to—Jake, whom she had worked with before, most recently in <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/seckim2024/articles-videos/did-you-know-whats-wrong-with-secretary-kim-filmed-some-scenes-inside-abs-cbn-watch-the-bts-video-22759">&quot;What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim.&quot;</a>Gillian truly considers herself fortunate to already be sharing the screen with industry titans just six years into her career, &quot;Swerte ako na maging parte ako agad ng ganitong project in this early sa career ko.&quot;She admits there’s pressure stepping into the already formidable &quot;FPJ&#x27;s Batang Quiapo,&quot; but one thing she learned from previous experiences was how to turn that pressure into motivation. &quot;Ginagawa ko siyang fuel na galingan ko pa always sa bawat ginagawa ko.&quot; As a true &#x27;batang Quiapo,&#x27; Gillian takes immense pride in her latest assignment, saying even her family and friends from Quiapo are just as excited and have been waiting to see her in the series for the longest time. And she promises that, just like every role she’s taken on, she’ll do justice to this one. After all, as an actress building her repertoire, her goal isn’t just accolades but  to bring characters to life in a way that resonates with the audience.Watch out for Gillian in <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/batangquiapo">&quot;FPJ&#x27;s Batang Quiapo,&quot;</a> airing weeknights, on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), TV5, and A2Z.

Gillian Vicencio says "FPJ's Batang Quiapo's" Erika Guerrero is her total opposite—how did she prepare for it?

Gillian Vicencio says "FPJ's Batang Quiapo's" Erika Guerrero is her total opposite—how did she prepare for it?

Gillian on her auditions, preparations as the 'black sheep' Erika in "FPJ’s Batang Quiapo"

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Gillian on her auditions, preparations as the 'black sheep' Erika in "FPJ’s Batang Quiapo"

Liezel Dela Cruz

Published March 07, 2025 09:16 AM PHT

Read More:

FPJ's Batang Quiapo

Batang Quiapo

Gillian Vicencio

Erika Guerrero

Celia Rodriguez

Chanda Romero

Albert Martinez

Angel Aquino

Jake Cuenca

Coco Martin

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