TF exclusive Gabby Eigenmann: Musings of an honest-to-goodness actor

CEBU, Philippines - Not everyone who silently perseveres gets their deserved due, but good thing it finally happened for Gabby Eigenmann who, until recently, had for the longest time been boxed into the anti-hero template.

Not that there’s anything wrong with being the perpetual scalawag when one is essaying it as effectively as Gabby has, but this is how Philippine show business works: Unless the powers-that-be prop you up as the lead star, you’re still considered below the food chain than the Box-Office King or Primetime Queen, never mind if you happen to act better than these so-called money-making top-of-priority stars.

But, as the mestizo would ruminate below, he has not harbored grand ambitions of superstardom. Only that maybe he be gifted with an acting recognition or two, so that he may look at his prominent kin of actors in the eye and claim, ‘See, I’m in the winning circle of Eigenmanns too.’

Before last year ended, Gabby bagged his first acting trophy as Best Supporting Actor in the 2011 Golden Screen Awards for Television. This was for his trouble-making character of Desmond in GMA7’s repeatedly-extended primetime drama Munting Heredera. These days, the offspring of veteran thespian Mark Gil is seen doing a 180-degree in a well-meaning role of leading man to Bianca King in the afternoon series Broken Vow.

Get into the heart of the ebullient Gabby who mulls over his career and this “sometimes ungrateful” industry, see why his colleagues should learn a thing or two from this guy’s level-headedness and humility — and that’s despite being showbiz royalty.

…on network loyalty

For me kasi, I’ve waited for so long. I consider Broken Vow a big break. I’ve been playing the villain for the past 14-15 years, and I would be asked ‘Bakit hindi ka nagiging impatient? Bakit hindi ka lumipat? Maybe there are more opportunities in other stations.’ What many don’t know, I came from ABS-CBN and started in Palibhasa Lalaki. I was doing Palibhasa Lalaki and SOP at the same time. But it came to a point that I felt more at home in GMA, so I became loyal to them for the longest time.

There was an offer from the other network but I’d rather stay and wait for more opportunities. I’m very thankful na kahit papano, because of my patience, the network also became patient with me. And like I always say, talent will always prevail.

…on being intrigue-free

They say you become public property once you enter the showbiz industry. That’s true, but you always have to leave some privacy for yours. I entered showbiz to become an actor. As long as you like me for what I do, not for who I am in my personal life — that’s what is important.

…on what he dislikes about showbiz

I pursued to do everything right and worked professionally. Even if you ask around, I was never late, I don’t have enemies on set and in the industry. It came to a point that showbiz seemed ungrateful for me. Like sometimes, if you’re not star material, they won’t mind you. Unless you are someone whom they can build as a superstar. Then, on issues – whether good or bad – it’s still there, they often talk about you. Yun lang ang medyo hindi ko gusto. But other than that, now I can say that I’m loving the industry as much as I’m loving life.

…on shifting TV characters

Playing the role of Desmond was like an experiment especially during the first four weeks of the show. When the character was given to me they said ‘O, utusan ka, tanga-tangahan ka, under ka sa asawa mo.’ I was mostly in the background, someone na sabat lang nang sabat. The director and I talked and we thought of giving it a different approach, and it clicked. It was difficult for me because it was an invented character and an invented execution of the character. But what was harder was switching from Desmond to Roberto.

Biglaan kasi eh, at nagkasabay pa. I was doing Munting Heredera because of the continuous extension, then I had to begin taping for Broken Vow. So Monday, I’d be Desmond; Tuesday, I’m Roberto.

It was hard because I came to love Desmond’s character. I would go to the set as me, but once they instruct me to be on Desmond mode, masamang tao na ako. Then when I’d go to the set of Broken Vow, I’d be having a hard time because I was more at home at being bad. In Broken Vow, sobrang bait dapat.

I asked all my friends that are leading men – Dingdong [Dantes], Dennis [Trillo], Sid [Lucero], Geoff [Eigenmann] – I really asked them even if it appeared like a joke. ‘Paano ba maging leading man?’ They each had different advice, so I tried to gather everything. I never thought it would be that hard. Happy kasi ako palagi eh. Pero kailangan pala mabait ka lang, yung nasa isang corner ka lang. Ako kasi ma-chika ako sa set eh. Yung transition lang ang mahirap.

…on whether he still expected to be a leading man

No, because it came to a point that it was only a small dream, it wasn’t a big dream anymore. I became more challenged in playing the kontrabida. I would also often joke that, ‘Pwede naman akong maging bida, bakit lagi na lang kontrabida?’ Then when I was finally offered the chance, ‘Wait, hindi pa yata ako ready because you have to look good and be fit.’ The advice na pinaka-natutuwa ako was the one said by Dingdong. I asked him how to be a leading man and he said ‘Just be yourself and use your charm. Mabait ka and lovable ka naman.’ Dun ako na-touch and I’ve been doing what he told me.

…on dream roles and co-actors

It’s my dream to work with my family. I want to work with my brother, my cousins, my dad, my uncle, with everyone! My generation is the one next in line, so we all want to work with each other. As for a dream role, every role is a dream for me.

…on viewer reaction to his baddie roles

Yes, there were times na napapalo ako, nakukurot ako, but with a smile naman. Naiinis sila sa akin but they would tell me, ‘Naiinis ako sa’yo, pero ang galing-galing mo.’ But I’ve accepted those reactions. That would mean I’m doing it right. ‘Dun ako natutuwa. Actually, Desmond is one of the most unforgettable characters I ever portrayed because kahit gaano siya kasama, we were able to show his soft side. It was a blessing because ngayon lang sila nainis sa akin na nagustuhan din nila. They love to hate me, unlike those I portrayed before.

…on most memorable praise for his acting

‘It’s your time to shine,’ that’s what they always tell me. When I won the award for Best Supporting Actor, Dennis even texted me right away na naiyak daw siya with my speech and he said ‘Hey, it’s long overdue and finally, you deserve that award and I am so happy for you.’ Dingdong said the same thing. As for my dad, this was the only advice he gave me, ‘Always remember to concentrate on your craft, hold on to it, treasure it.’

…on favorite off-duty activities

I watch movies a lot especially when I have free time, kahit mag-isa ako. I got used to watching two movies in a day all alone. I’d just buy food then have a movie marathon. Or, you could find me working out because I try to keep myself fit, as TV adds ten more pounds. I do boxing, Muay Thai, I go bowling, I play basketball. But basically, on an ordinary day, people will see me in the mall.

…on his other passions

Singing. I love to sing. I did SOP for ten years, I also did albums and won a few awards for it. When it comes to my personal life, I collect toys, I like action figures such as Marvel. And as much as possible, when I’m not on set, I’m normal, I am easy to approach, just like any ordinary person.

…on whether he misses performing on a musical show

Yes, of course! If the offer for Munting Heredera didn’t come, I was decided on putting up my own band and probably enter the music scene again. I really do miss singing, I hope there will be more mall shows where I can do that. But like I always say, given this opportunity on television, let’s make the most of it, sana huwag lang mapabayaan.