Gabby Eigenmann to new actors: 'You have to work hard'

MANILA, Philippines-Gabby Eigenmann admits that he still feels the “pressure” of being part of the famed Eigenmann clan.

The Eigenmanns have produced some of the industry's great artists such as Mark Gil, Michael de Mesa, and Cherie Gil.

“I guess it was really a calling,” Gabby replied when asked if the talent of being a good actor  is in the blood. “Kasi nga buong angkan namin nasa showbiz. And I guess that's the only challenge and pressure that I should take kasi starting ando'n 'yong anak ni ganito, apo ni ganyan, kapatid ni ganito o pinsan ni ganyan.

“So for the longest time up to this day, lahat naman kami we're still trying to have or finding our own identities as ang sarili namin. Kasi growing up dala-dala namin 'yon, 'anak ni Mark Gil, anak ni Michael de Mesa, pamangkin ni Cherie Gil.' Ngayon, for the longest time, we're trying to establish our own identity.”

Still, he said,  he doesn't let that “pressure” get on the way of portraying his roles.

“The most important thing is I never aimed high when I entered the business,” he said. “I never aimed to be a superstar or to be the main attraction of whatever project. Ang sa akin lang, you know, the longevity, how to stay long in this business.”

Gabby the Character Actor

Being a character actor means being versatile. Though Gabby is known for being a kontra bida, lately, he showed that he can also pull off being the “good guy” like in his recent GMA teleseryes “Munting Heredera,” “Paraiso Ko'y Ikaw,” and “Mundo Mo'y Akin.”

The 36-year-old actor thanked his home network GMA for giving him the chance to “shine” through different roles.

“I feel so blessed because for the longest time I've been doing villain roles, lagi akonng nagko-kontra bida,” he relates.  “And being a character actor for the longest time, ngayon lang nila ako parang binibigyan ng opportunity to shine in a different aspect.

“Sabi ko nga, para kasing sunud-sunod 'yong opportunity, e. I just grab the chance, grab the opportunity na pagbutihin pa lalo. Ibig sabihin nagtitiwala sila na anuman ang ibigay [kaya ko]. 'Yon nga lagi kong sinasabi, I just do my job.”

With the new breed of artists looking up to his talents, Gabby gave this piece of advice to them:  â€œversatility is important” and that they should be “serious with their craft.”

He said he noticed that new artists "enjoy the status of being famous, [enjoy] the status of being well-known.”

But he reminded these newbies that "it's nice to be popular, but then again it is nice to be known because of your work. Kasi sa akin you have to hone your craft, bigyan mo ng importansya.

“Kasi it's not easy: its either you're born with it and/or you can learn. And sa majority ngayon, ang daming gustong matuto, ang daming gustong tumagal sa industriya. I guess kailangan nga maging serious sila, they don't  [let it] get to their head.

“Kasi popularity panandalian lang 'yan, e. The fame, the fortune, it's there for you to grab. But to stay long, you really have to work hard.”