Glorious Gabbi
With the right combination of talent, boldness and social media savvy, Gabbi Garcia shines brighter
Not long ago, Gabbi Garcia was just a newcomer vying to make her mark in show business. She has succeeded. These days, apart from being known as the actress who portrayed Sang’gre Alena on GMA’s “Encantadia” 2016 reboot, Gabbi is in-demand for magazine covers, features and product endorsements.
She believes she will shine even brighter this year with numerous opportunities coming her way.
“Napaka-blessed ko po talaga,” she said. “(I hope) 2017 is really my time.”
Early this year, Gabbi was tapped as the newest and the first Filipina ambassador of an international hair product. She stars in the brand’s latest commercial which airs in 10 Asian countries.
She also worked with award-winning photog- rapher and filmmaker Olivier Staub, Sydney-based Hollywood stylist Ellie Goodman, and celebrity hair stylist Ken Arthur, among others.
This Saturday, Gabbi will fly to Europe as part of her commitment to appear in Mega Magazine’s first ever Mega Style cover. She will be in Nice, France for an avant-garde photoshoot and will star in a 45-minute documentary and a 3-minute fashion film to be shot by Emmy awardwinning director and producer Mike Carandang.
“This is my first time in Europe, so I’m very excited talaga,” she enthused.
Gabbi revealed she will be wearing international brands for the photoshoot.
The project is special to her as it gives her an opportunity to travel and to model.
“It’s like hitting two birds at the same time eh. I really enjoy being a model but at the same time, gusto ko rin ko talaga makapunta sa France.”
Will she leave behind her local showbiz career if there are other international offers, we asked Gabbi.
“I cannot answer kasi wala pa naman. I will cross that bridge when I get there,” she said.
What’s ahead
After the success of “Encantandia,” Gabbi said there will be another teleserye for her this year. She is currently seen on the noontime variety show “Sunday PinaSaya.”
“I’m currently undergoing workshops but I cannot reveal pa kung (para sa kung anong) show.”
Gabbi hinted she will be gracing yet another magazine this August, describing it as a “level up cover.” Is it for a men’s magazine, we asked. “Wala pa akong planong mag-pose sa ganu’n,” she said, laughing. “Basta, all I can say is, the magazine cover is really beyond my comfort zone, so dapat abangan nila.”
Aside from being an actress, the 5’7’’ stunner dreams to be a beauty queen and a renowned model. She is open to joining “Asia’s Next Top Model” in the future.
“Ang dami ngang nag-e-encourage sa akin na I should try it daw. Pero right now, I’m really focusing on my career pa kasi ang daming opportunities na binibigay sa akin,” she said. “But I’m not closing any doors naman, if may chance, why not ’di ba? After all, modeling is one of my passions.”
Pros and cons
Gabbi believes her separation with former love team partner Ruru Madrid has advantage and disadvantage.
“Siyempre I’m comfortable working with Ruru, he’s my comfort zone eh. But now kasi, the advantage is (that) I have the chance to explore more. Hindi lang ’yung naka-lock lang ako sa love team,” she said.
“The same thing with him. Mayroon na rin siyang sariling show and I’m very happy for him. We are now exploring our own capabilities.”
Gabbi dismissed speculations that Ivan Dorschner will be her new love team partner.
“Hindi ko nga po alam kung saan nanggaling ’yung balita na yan eh,” she said, laughing. “But if anything, and ako naman open ako to anyone so kung makaka-trabaho ko siya, okay lang sa akin.”