From being one of the most remarkable Kapamilya child stars on Philippine television, with her iconic titular mermaid series etched into the minds of generations, Mutya Orquia proves that her acting prowess has only grown, shining as she embodies the compelling character of Louisa Mae Soria in “What Lies Beneath.”
She truly wowed viewers even more as she switched effortlessly from a sweet friend, to a fearless fighter who never lets herself be belittled, to a ghost haunting the rest of MABEL in their dreams.
#1: Louisa’s traumatic death
The suspense-thriller series doesn’t just focus on its main genres—it also weaves in a satisfying amount of drama and heartbreak, particularly surrounding the pasts of the young MABEL: Mel (Reich Alim), Alice (Eliza Borromeo), Beth (Allyson McBride), Erica (Krystal Mejes), and Louisa (Mutya Orquia).
The series’ plot was driven by the unexpected and tragic death of Louisa, who was discovered by her dear friends, bloodied on the wet ground, a deep slash across her neck stealing the remainder of her life.
The scene proves agonizingly unforgettable, as the stars’ emotions radiate through the screen—particularly as it depicts the almost real struggle of carrying the unconscious Louisa through the pouring rain, ending with a piercing moment when they have no choice but to hold her hand and beg her to stay alive.
#2: Louisa leading the rescue of Alice
In the series’ introductory episodes, it is revealed that MABEL weren’t exactly close friends when they first met—rather, Louisa and Erica were the first to get along, while Beth judged them based on rumors and Alice simply tagged along Beth.
That’s why Louisa’s raw empathy, kindness, and bravery stunned viewers, as she immediately springs into action to tend to the car crash that killed Alice’s father.
Seeing that only Alice had a chance to survive, trapped in a burning car, Louisa ignored the older bystanders who tried to stop her from approaching the vehicle. Even Erica, Beth, and Mel were compelled to act quickly to help.
Unconcerned for her own safety, Louisa climbs into the car through the small front window and searches strategically for a knife to cut the seatbelt trapping Alice. This elicits a remarkable change in Mutya’s performance, as she shifts from genuine worry for someone she barely knows to relief the moment Alice awakens.
#3: Louisa criticizes Erica and Lucas’ relationship
Admittedly, Louisa sometimes lets her fire burn too bright, to the point that she forgets to listen. In the episode where she and MABEL discover Erica’s relationship with young Lucas (Andrez del Rosario), viewers are on the edge of their seats, witnessing Mutya’s mix of frustration, worry, and prejudice toward Lucas, the brother of the infamous Edong Santiago (Renshi de Guzman).
She doesn’t hesitate to step between the blossoming lovers and berate them on the spot, harshly telling Lucas to back off and emphasizing to Erica that he is the brother of Amurao’s notorious drug addict, robber, and juvenile delinquent.
Mutya doesn’t falter in her immersive portrayal even as tension peaks with Edong’s arrival, who retaliates after being taunted by Beth. She fully channels Louisa’s fighter aura when she trades punches with Edong, ultimately needing her friends to hold her back.
After the chaos that ensued, Louisa’s raspy, unrelenting scolding lingers in the ears as she tries to convince Erica that even though Lucas is different from Edong, being close to him would still put her in danger because of his troubled brother.
However, the scene shifts beautifully into a shocking moment rather than mere fierceness when Erica reveals that Louisa will soon leave Amurao, prompting her friends to relentlessly question her with pain in their hearts as Louisa meets them with apologetic eyes.
#4: Louisa and Erica share a sisterly bond
In one of the series’ heartwarming flashbacks, Erica stumbles upon Louisa late at night on the porch of their hangout spot. Startled, Louisa—caught smoking—softly pleads with Erica not to tell Alice, who would worry deeply about her habit.
More of Louisa’s sisterly attitude shines in the scene as she jokes that, among MABEL, she would be the one to live to 90. She also opens up about her pure, hopeful dreams—owning a big mansion and, most of all, asking Erica to leave Amurao with her, knowing that after graduation, only the two of them would remain while Mel, Beth, and Alice move to Manila.
She continues to touch hearts, making viewers feel as though she is a listening friend to them as well, when Erica confides that her mother forbids her from entering college, believing she lacks the intellect and status to do so. In this moment, Louisa turns sarcastic, calling Erica’s mother overly sensitive—just like her own.
Exuding an inspiring spirit comes naturally to Louisa as she declares that their lives are their own, encouraging Erica that she can do anything as long as she refuses to listen to her mother’s degrading words.
#5: Louisa’s haunting and secret lover mode
Erica’s guilt over wrongfully imprisoning Edong for 14 years uniquely manifests in the form of Louisa herself, who haunts her dreams, urging her to seek justice properly this time.
Mutya turns up the fear factor in the series, appearing exactly as she died—bloodied and pale, with unruly hair and ruffled clothes—then elevates the horror with a heavy, piercing gaze and a voice that is truly hair-raising.
On the contrary, Louisa can also be a true lover, as seen on the same porch when Erica catches her writing a love note in English and Bisaya, sheepishly hiding it from her friend with a knowing smile.
Don’t miss it when Louisa returns on the most compelling scenes in “What Lies Beneath,” weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), A2Z, ALLTV, and iWant.