After the success of Mommy Dearest, Camille Prats is stepping away from acting, at least for now.
In the hit GMA afternoon drama, Camille played Olive, her first-ever “contravida” role. As the show neared its finale, the actress took to social media to thank those who embraced her performance.
“As #MommyDearest reaches its finale week, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for embracing Olive,” she wrote. “When GMA offered me this role, it wasn’t a difficult decision to make.”
It was a refreshing change from the kind-hearted protagonists she usually portrayed. “What I didn’t realize was how much I had been longing—as an actress—to take on a character different from the ones I usually portray. Playing Olive breathed new life into my passion for acting. I’m truly grateful to have explored this different side of my creativity.”
She also acknowledged director Gina Alajar for helping shape the character, and gave thanks to her co-stars Katrina Halili, Shayne Sava, Dion Ignacio, and Amy Austria. “To my co-actors—thank you for opening your hearts to me… I’ll always treasure our meaningful conversations during lunch breaks and waiting hours,” she added.
Camille had warm words for the staff and crew as well. “Thank you for taking good care of us on the set, for all the understanding, and for the many laughs we’ve shared off-cam… It’s nice that food is our love language.”
In the same post, Camille announced that she is taking a break from doing TV series to focus on her family. “Turns out, I can’t divide my time—and while I deeply love what I do… I’m being called to be a wife and mom first,” she said. Camille and her husband, VJ Yambao, are parents to Nala and Nolan. Camille also has a son, Nathan, with her late husband, Anthony Linsangan, while VJ has a child named Ice.
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Across the Pacific, Eduard Bañez is building a different kind of life—one that still celebrates creativity, but in new forms.
Eduard was part of Star Magic Batch 15, alongside Jessy Mendiola, Bela Padilla, and Megan Young. Now based in Los Angeles, he’s focused on tech, media, and community.
“Back then, I wanted to safeguard my future since I knew showbiz was not permanent,” Eduard shared. He’s currently developing a dating app designed to foster deeper connections and launched a personal website, Spluk, where he collaborates with Filipino writer Chino Hansel Philyang.
Inspired by Sofronio Vasquez’s win on The Voice US, Eduard also plans to produce a concert that will showcase Filipino artists in LA. “Despite the fact that certain individuals in America do not welcome us, we will continue to create, innovate, and do good for the community.”
He has collaborated with artists such as Ed Sheeran, Sia, and Justin Bieber, hosted MTV Asia, and appeared on Nickelodeon. While he hasn’t ruled out a return to showbiz, he’s clear about what he wants. “I’d love to work on meaningful projects that tell stories about the Filipino experience,” he said.
Two different paths—but both grounded in passion, purpose, and heart.
