Both seasoned and active actresses Janice and Gelli de Belen have spent years captivating audiences with their talent, versatility, and undeniable screen presence. Beyond the memorable roles they have portrayed onscreen, however, the sisters are also admired for their close bond, which we get to see during their media appearances together.
Among such instance is in this episode of Jeepney TV’s “Stars on Stars,” where they don’t just enthusiastically ask each other questions about their enduring careers and personal lives, but also take on a couple of fun and exciting games—including the “Blind Ranking” challenge.
In this game, the sisters are given two different categories, each featuring five Filipino actors whom they have to rank based on their personal preferences.
Janice is the first to take on the challenge, who has to rank Coco Martin, John Lloyd Cruz, James Reid, Joshua Garcia, and Daniel Padilla. While Janice is supposedly not allowed to change her rankings once she makes them, Gelli bestows her the power to do so at the end.
Coco is the first actor mentioned by Gelli, and Janice places him at number 2. The De Belen sisters express how their admiration his deep dedication to his craft, as well as his amazing ability to juggle his being an actor, director, and storyteller, much like what he continues to showcase in the ongoing hit ABS-CBN Studios primetime series “Coco Martin’s Sigabo.”
Although Janice has never worked with John Lloyd Cruz, she has seen several of his projects over the years and described him as a “really good actor.” Meanwhile, she places James Reid at number five, noting that she believes his strengths lie more in singing and music than acting—something the “Someone, Someday” actor has also candidly acknowledged in interviews.
Having worked with Joshua Garcia in the “Medalya” episode of “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” the veteran actress ranks him 3rd. She recalls how emotional and challenging that episode was, particularly because they already have to cry during their very first scene. Impressed by his ability to deliver such a compelling dramatic performance, she simply remarks, “Magaling si Joshua.”
Despite Daniel Padilla’s close connection to their family as the boyfriend of her daughter, Kaila Estrada, Janice still ranks him 4th. She explains, “I see a lot of fire that Daniel has. I have not worked with him also, but I see he has a lot of fire and enthusiasm. Kailangan na kailangan mo ‘yon eh, kasi ‘yon ‘yong fuel mo para galingan, para tumakbo, para to be the best that you can. So, I think, he has so much potential.”
Janice then turns the tables on Gelli, asking her to rank Donny Pangilinan, Ian Veneracion, Piolo Pascual, Kempee de Leon, and Smokey Manaloto according to their “kilabot factor”—an especially fitting category given that she is married to none other than the “Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala,” Ariel Rivera.
Because Donny is much younger and is the son of Gelli’s showbiz friends Maricel Laxa and Anthony Pangilinan, she places him at number 3. Gelli fondly recalls seeing the “Can’t Buy Me Love” star when he was still a baby, back when Maricel would bring him along while Gelli had just given birth to her own son, Joaqui. Since Donny is practically like a nephew to her, she admits that his “kilabot factor” would never appeal to her.
Gelli then burst out laughing when Janice mentions Ian Veneracion, whom she places at number 5. Aside from personally knowing him, she explains that she is simply not attracted to men who are tisoy.
When it comes to the Ultimate Heartthrob Piolo Pascual, however, Gelli doesn’t have to think twice about where to place him. As she put it, “it’s always safe to put Piolo in number 1.”
She also cannot contain her laughter when Janice mentioned Keempee de Leon since he’s another person she personally knows—making it easy for her to rank him 4th. Aside from being her onscreen partner, friend, and classmate, she reveals that Keempee was also her prom date, as they were only allowed to bring someone from their school as a partner. Gelli fondly recalls, however, that instead of doing what typical prom dates would do, she and Keempee simply sang together.
Another celebrity whom Gelli has no trouble ranking is Smokey Manaloto, whom she places at number 2. She shares that they have known each other since they were young and are now even neighbors. Furthermore, she describes Smokey as someone who is always game to join in on a little mischief.
Although Janice and Gelli have given each other the opportunity to redo their rankings, both sisters ultimately decide to stick with their original choices, saying they are already happy and satisfied with how they turn out.
Do you agree with the De Belen sisters’ rankings, Kapamilya?