GABBI GARCIA

Gabbi Garcia may be relatively new to the industry compared to her contemporaries, but it is safe to say that she has grown to be one of today’s brightest stars. Since being chosen as one of the lead stars for a 2014 primetime series in GMA, My Destiny, her career has skyrocketed, leading her to star in the show Encantadia as well and become the first Filipino regional ambassador in Asia for an international hair care brand.

The star is also grateful for 2017’s Making MEGA shoot for MEGAstyle, considering it as one of the highlights of her career. “My Making MEGA shoot in Nice, France also happens to be the first print issue for MEGAstyle, so it felt so nice to be a part of that,” she says, adding, “Bonding with the team also made me so happy, they felt like family.”

During the shoot, we saw a different side of Garcia, watching her naturally transform into a sophisticated model. While posing for a cover seemed like a piece of cake for her, she humbly shares that she gained a lot of new insight from the shoot. “I learned that modeling for a cover isn’t all glitz and glamour. You need to have the attitude and the passion for it. I also learned to appreciate what went behind the scenes.”

The 19-year-old, who describes herself as a spontaneous person in terms of her career, is certainly aware of not falling under the trap of getting too comfortable with a stereotype. “I don’t want to stick to a certain angle in my career where people can say, ‘Oh, eto lang siya.’ I want to work on things outside the box, outside my comfort zone,” she says.

To continue getting out of her comfort zone, Garcia shares that she has been traveling and mingling with different types of people, as it opens up her eyes to the world. “In show business, it’s not enough that you’re talented at acting or singing. It’s about knowing how to play the game. You have to be a wellrounded person as well.” By this point, it was evident that we were speaking to a young woman who is equipped with a rare wisdom that is well beyond her years. “I look at where I am now and remember that it has only been four years. I must be doing something right so I want to continue what it is I’ve been doing,” she adds.

“I am content with where I am, but I don’t think I’ll ever be satisfied,” starts Garcia with a knowing smile, “Sabi nga nila, never be satisfied. In terms of my career, I’m always looking forward to doing more.”—MR

“I DON’T WANT TO STICK TO A CERTAIN ANGLE IN MY CAREER WHERE PEOPLE CAN SAY, ‘OH, ETO LANG SIYA.’ I WANT TO WORK ON THINGS OUTSIDE THE BOX, OUTSIDE MY ZONE” COMFORT

Scintillating things are beaming at the horizon of Elisse Joson. Shortly after earning her break from a fast food commercial, Joson captivated the nation with her innocent charm and girl-nextdoor allure in Pinoy Big Brother. This became the gateway for the young star to step foot in what was a threshold of her dreams and now she’s slowly ticking each one off her list. She considers her Making MEGA feat a huge milestone; this being the biggest project of her early career where she truly blossomed and thus, we came to see another side of Elisse Joson. “It was really something big that happened in my early career. The whole experience, it opened doors for me. Also, in the fashion industry and not just in showbiz, which is good because I would want to be a part of that,” she tells excitedly, especially coming from a fashion design background prior to entering the ‘biz.

After a huge breakthrough with her September cover and Turkey escapade, Joson shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. “At this point, lagi ‘kong sinasabi na when I do something, especially future projects given to me, gusto ‘kong ipakita yung different sides that I can do, hindi lang yung makilala dahil sa pangalan or sa itsura, I want to be able to be a versatile actress here in the Philippines,” expresses Joson and adds how she wants to keep flourishing and see her development for herself. “Gusto ko yung improvement ko, makita. Siyempre sa simula, madami pang kailangan matutunan. I want to be able to stay here long para makita yung growth ko.”

Not only that but being the big dreamer that she is, Joson opens up about her desire to eventually earn a piece of recognition for her talents. “To be able to be nominated because of an acting piece is one [milestone I want to achieve] and the next is siyempre yung manalo ka, makakuha ng award because of yung pinakita ‘kong skill,” she shares.

Although her main focus is on her film and television ventures, Joson is more than just an actress—possessing a creative identity outside of showbiz and dabbling in artistic pursuits such as painting and fashion, one particularly close to her heart. “Sa fashion, gusto ko din maka-achieve ng milestone na makilala din na meron akong other side bukod sa acting and everything that’s going on in showbiz. Meron din akong side na iba [like in] fashion that’s very close to me.”

With every accomplishment, Joson treasures it greatly and recognizes it as a sign to advance further. “It gives me the motivation to keep going kasi sometimes itatanong mo sa sarili mo, ano ba talagang ginagawa ko dito? May pupuntahan pa ba? But when you think about your goals, dun mo maiisip na I can’t give up yet, I can’t quit because I still have to be able to reach this.” She seems to have a cognizant mindset at this point in her budding career—able to take setbacks and rejections as even more reasons to progress.

This passionate 22-year-old’s approach is simple— to keep a positive attitude and be receptive to ideas. Armed with equanimity and big ambitions, it’s not dubious to say that Elisse Joson will inevitably reach new heights. From here on out, the only way is up.—SS

“WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR GOALS, DUN MO MAIISIP NA I CAN’T GIVE UP YET, I CAN’T QUIT BECAUSE I STILL HAVE TO BE ABLE THIS” TO REACH