Elizabeth “Beth” Sevilla-Mora is surely turning heads and raising eyebrows every time she’s on screen, especially during the series’ most pivotal moments. With Allyson McBride bringing fire to young Beth and Charlie Dizon delivering powerhouse emotion as her present counterpart, every scene she owns comes with attitude.
But what really lies beneath that fiery facade?
#1: Beth assumes Erica’s compassion is selfishness
After being intimidated by Rodrigo Celestino (Bart Guingona) during his relentless interrogations about Louisa’s (Mutya Orquia) murder—which pointed to young Edong (Renshi de Guzman)—young Beth (Allyson McBride) tells the girls, during one of their small gatherings, to affirm the allegations that it was indeed Edong whom they saw kill Louisa.
In disbelief, young Erica (Krystal Mejes) disagrees—a stance that Beth immediately criticizes, bringing up even the birthmark Erica claimed to have seen on the suspect, which Edong lacked. Unstoppable in her remarks, Beth dismisses her best friend’s insights and insists it was Edong, convinced by the altercation that had occurred the other day between their group and him, during which Edong expressed his intent to kill Louisa (Mutya Orquia).
While this could be seen as Beth’s way of seeking justice for Louisa, it becomes increasingly painful for Erica, especially when Beth questions what kind of friend she truly is—calling her selfish for seemingly defending Edong because of Lucas, Edong’s brother and Erica’s lover at the time.
#2: Beth never thought Erica would be a lawyer
In the second episode, Beth (Charlie Dizon), Alice (Janella Salvador), and Mel (Sue Ramirez) reunite after a long time, reminiscing about their past and sharing updates about their present lives. They recall how the young Beth (Allyson McBride) used to play hard to get with a smitten young Ryan (Miguel Vergara), who is now her husband.
At one point in their conversation, they bring up Erica (Kaila Estrada), who distanced herself from the group 14 years ago and still carries the guilt over Edong’s (Jake Cuenca) incarceration.
They remember Erica’s quiet demeanor and lack of self-esteem, especially during Edong’s case, which needed someone to rally behind the Santiago brothers. Beth never would have imagined that her former friend would grow into a fighter—as a lawyer.
#3: Beth doubts Mel
The third episode opens with a startling scene of Beth (Charlie Dizon) and Ryan (Yves Flores) reenacting the alleged physical altercation between Mel (Sue Ramirez) and her husband, Anton (Jameson Blake)—the center of their domestic abuse controversy.
Out of pure curiosity, Beth considers the possibility that Mel might have actually raised her fists to Anton. Ryan questions this, wondering why she seems to doubt one of her longtime friends.
Beth points out that the allegations about Mel abusing Anton might have come from a credible source rather than mere speculation or rumor, especially considering Mel’s string of past controversies.
#4: Beth reveals debt issues around other teachers
The fifth episode shows Beth (Charlie Dizon) selling skincare products and reflecting on her brief TV fame, particularly regarding her friendships with Mel (Sue Ramirez) and their plans for a retirement home.
During this, Vivian, another teacher, hints at Beth’s debt issues. Beth immediately clarifies that it is her husband who owes money to Vivian’s brother. However, she doesn’t let the moment pass without bringing up Vivian’s three-year debt to Liezel (Mary Joy Apostol), another teacher Beth is close with.
Embarrassed, Vivian walks out, leaving Liezel and Beth to talk. Beth assures Liezel that she pays her debts monthly and adds that she doesn’t hide anything, unlike some of her friends.
#5: Beth will know if she wants to
Beth’s assertiveness is portrayed quite positively in the sixth episode, where she finds Alice (Janella Salvador) in a gun shop, seemingly intent on buying a firearm and practicing to shoot.
Worried, Beth accompanies Alice home without pausing to ask why she has been acting so strange and panicky, especially after her large purchase of CCTVs. Eventually, Alice opens up about her impending divorce from Scott (Mark Neumann) and pleads with Beth not to tell even Mel (Sue Ramirez) about it.
#6: How young Beth first interacted with Louisa, Erica, and Lucas
Before MABEL’s (Mel, Alice, Beth, Erica, and Louisa) friendship began, they weren’t on good terms with each other. This is depicted in the ninth episode, where the young Beth (Allyson McBride), Louisa (Mutya Orquia), Erica (Krystal Mejes), and Lucas (Andrez del Rosario) are grouped together for a project.
With young Alice (Eliza Borromero) standing beside her, Beth unapologetically comments that they weren’t lucky with their groupmates: Louisa had a rumored reputation for being boy-obsessed, Erica barely spoke, and Lucas was often absent because of his problematic and notorious brother, Edong (Renshi de Guzman).
#7: Beth pushes Edong’s boundaries by bringing up his late mother
Still in the ninth episode, the strain in MABEL’s friendship becomes apparent when the girls witness young Erica (Krystal Mejes) getting close to young Lucas (Andrez del Rosario).
Along with Louisa (Mutya Orquia), young Beth (Allyson McBride) adamantly objects to Erica and Lucas’s relationship, citing concerns about Lucas’s brother being involved in drugs and violence, which could negatively affect Erica in the long run.
Ignoring Erica’s protests that Lucas is different from his brother, Beth criticizes her—an argument Edong overhears. In retaliation, Edong brings up Beth being an illegitimate daughter. Angrily, Beth fires back, accusing Edong and Lucas’s father of killing their mother, which enrages Edong further, causing him to grab her by the neck.
After the situation is diffused, Beth continues to reprimand Erica.
#8: Beth is still sharp-tongued after 14 years
By the end of the ninth episode, the adult versions of Erica (Kaila Estrada), Beth (Charlie Dizon), Alice (Janella Salvador), and Mel (Sue Ramirez) unexpectedly reunite at the opening of Lucas’s (JM de Guzman) business.
Concerned, Erica warns her friends about the Santiago brothers’ possible schemes that could put them in danger. Refusing to listen or believe her, Beth counters that, based on what she’s heard, Esther (Malou Crisologo) is involved in an estafa case, while Celestino (Bart Guingona) was killed by syndicates.
She criticizes Erica once again for showing up despite having no evidence to support her accusations.
#9: Beth has never felt an ounce of guilt
Without a doubt, Beth (Charlie Dizon) agrees with Mel’s (Sue Ramirez) claim that Lucas (JM de Guzman) is incapable of committing the crimes Erica (Kaila Estrada) has been speculating about. She even points out that she knows—going back to earlier times—how Erica tends to connect things that aren’t related.
In disbelief, Erica reminds Beth that she did the same during a police investigation, particularly when she went along with the false evidence that led to Edong’s (Jake Cuenca) imprisonment.
Even when Erica asks if they ever felt guilty over the past 14 years, Beth remains resolute, insisting that she believes what they did in the past was right—and that it will always remain so.
#10: Alice confronts Beth about her behavior
In the tenth episode, following the tense reunion of the girls, Alice (Janella Salvador) still makes a point to thank them for listening to her warning about the Santiago brothers’ possible schemes that could put them in danger.
Annoyed, Beth (Charlie Dizon) questions Alice’s gratitude, arguing that Erica (Kaila Estrada) was merely trying to scare them for no reason and has been digging into a past that should already be settled.
Alice confronts her, saying that Beth hasn’t changed and is still relentless in always being perceived as right.
Don’t miss an episode of “What Lies Beneath,” weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), A2Z, TV5, and iWant.