Nowadays, most people lead fast-paced lives. It also reflects the way they consume entertainment. They can access it anywhere and anytime. People also tend to get hooked on bite-sized content. That’s why more and more are watching micro- and vertical dramas. They are brief but replete with what one is looking for in a drama such as a relatable and intriguing storyline with familiar yet surprising plot twists and detours.
Now streaming on the first-ever Pinoy micro-drama streaming platform, Viva Movie Box, is “The Fake Socialite,” starring Priscilla Meirelles, Cindy Miranda, Franki Russell and veteran actor Joko Diaz and directed by Gino Santos.
Cindy is Mikay, who works for a fashion and style guru, Shaila, played by Franki, who has taken advantage of the former’s hard work and kindness.
Available online descriptions about “The Fake Socialite” share that Mikay has been “inalipin siya ng mundo (enslaved by the world)” and Shaila is “the girl who styles everyone’s image, except her own.”
Helping to tap and bring out the empowered persona in Mikay is Agot (Priscilla). The character elevates the status of Mikay to her “Mimi Era” and possibly teaches Shaila lessons on humility and respect.
The Viva actresses come together to bring a compelling story of glamorous revenge and rebirth to micro-drama viewers.
Aside from their gift for essaying roles, Priscilla, Cindy and Franki share something in common. They are all beauty queens. Priscilla won the Miss Earth title for her country, Brazil, in 2004. Cindy was crowned as Bb. Pilipinas Tourism 2013 and represented the Philippines in that same year’s Miss Tourism Queen International with a Top 10 finish. Franki was the delegate of New Zealand in Miss Cosmo 2024 and made it to the Top 21.
With that, The STAR asked for their pieces of advice to young girls and ladies who see themselves joining beauty pageants and aspire to become beauty delegates abroad.
“I think even if you’re, like, half considering it, do it,” said Franki in a recent presscon, also attended by Priscilla and Cindy. “Like, now is the time… I think just go for it. Don’t be, like, wary (of) what other people would think. Always find support and talk to other people. Just go for it.”
Photos from the Viva Artists Agency’s Facebook page
She also mentioned Pinay beauties Pia Wurtzbach and Ahtisa Manalo, who joined three times in the national pageants and earned the right and privilege to wear the Philippine sash with impressive feats. Pia won the Miss Universe 2015 title, while Ahtisa placed as Miss International 2018 first runner-up and Miss Universe 2025 third runner-up.
“I believe that everything that you do in life, you do it with passion,” shared Priscilla. “That’s something you’re passionate about, like, that will bring you joy and that will make you proud sa sarili mo. So, I think if that’s the way you feel, why not, why not to try. You know we just have one life. So, just go for it.”
“Just go for it,” Cindy agreed, adding that there’s no wrong time to join a pageant. “Kung gusto mong sumali ngayon, sumali ka (if you feel like joining now, do it). You know why? Yung lakas palang ng loob mo na naisip mong sumali, alam mo yun (na) kaya mo kasi (your courage to join means you can do it) regardless of what your other friends say, like ‘You’re not yet ready’… you go for it baka kasi next year wala ka ng lakas ng loob (because you might not have that courage next year).”
Priscilla shared that “you surround yourself with people that can support your dream, that believe in you, and that will help you to elevate yourself and then give your best and give your all. And whatever the outcome is, it does not matter ‘coz I think at the end of the day, no matter what you put yourself in, I think nanalo ka na and feeling mo binigay mo ng todong, todo.”
“Matalo ka man o manalo sa pageant na ‘to, after that pageant, I’m sure you’re a better person,” added Cindy. “Sobrang layo mo dun kung saan ka nagsimula (you’ve come along way from where you started).”
That’s true since beauty candidates will gain new friends and further boost their confidence through lessons on hair, makeup and posture, to name a few, as one could gather from their answers.
They also shared the importance of chasing one’s dream and having guidance from parents or a trusted person as beauty aspirants navigate their paths to the pageant world.
Please watch Priscilla, Cindy and Franki in the Viva micro-drama, “The Fake Socialite,” by downloading the app (via https://share.vivamoviebox.com/Vmb-download) and subscribing for P169. For details, visit the Viva Movie Box’s Facebook page.
