Thank you for the laughter, Dading

MANILA, Philippines - “I enjoy pretending,” says Gabby Eigenmann of playing the gay character Carding in the GMA Afternoon Prime series Dading, which will air its final episode today after The Half Sisters.

“I just observe and I study the emotions,” he adds. “I ask around like the make-up artists how they get into a relationship and how painful it is.”

It’s not surprising why Gabby’s performance has been convincing and “marked.” This can also be attributed to his birth sign. “I was born a Piscean, who is sensitive and a keen observer.”

Gabby says that it’s easy for him and fellow actor Gardo Versoza to imitate the actuations of gay Filipino men like hip swaying, flamboyant dressing and Sward speaking. It’s more challenging, however, Gabby says, when emotions are “kicking in.”

To use the gay parlance, “in fairness” Dading is a heart-warming entertainment fare and has a following across genres and TV markets.

“I want the show to last longer,” Gabby says. “But (as they say) all good things must come to an end and I know that. It’s the samahan na ayaw ko pang mawala. It’s OK to finish (the show) on top than you know, you have plateau and you go down.”

Episodes prior to the finale have seen Carding and his wife Beth (played by Glaiza de Castro) fight over custody of their daughter Precious. Televiewers will look forward to if Carding will take Lexi’s (Gardo) advice of distancing himself from Precious and the reconciliation between the lead characters.

Asked if he approves of gay-woman relationship, Gabby replies, “If it works, wala namang problema. I don’t see any problem with it.” He says that his inspirations for playing the part are the characters in Birdcage and Modern Family.

“There were times when me and my wife went malling, some would approach me and ask if I’m gay,” Gabby shares. “And there were those who called me ‘Dading.’” These are tell-tale signs that Gabby has done a good job as Carding and has hooked many with the actor’s onscreen persona. “The feeling is great, especially when you hear people telling you how much they were touched by the show,” as Gabby puts it in a statement.

Although there are stereotypes here and there, Dading has become a venue for the public to understand better the members of the LGBT community. The GMA 7 soap has contributed to the ongoing discourse on gender equality and gender sensitivity. Dading is a remarkable project for Gabby who describes himself as “more of a TV actor for many years.”

Off cam, Gabby is a good dad, husband, sibling and son.

“We have to be OK,” says Gabby of the passing of his father Mark Gil last month. “But when we’re alone, we’re not. It’s a roller-coaster (ride of emotions).” Recently, he and the rest of the family went to Montemar, Bataan, his dad’s favorite place, to celebrate the late actor’s birthday (Sept. 25). If Gabby and Sid Lucero were asked to remake any of their dad’s movies, the former and latter would love to do Kid, Huwag Kang Susuko and Magic Kingdom, respectively. Gabby says that their father will always be the perfect actor for his Batch 81 role.

As kuya to younger siblings like Sid and Andi Eigenmann, Gabby says, “I’ll just be there to guide them. When, let’s say, Sid has a problem, he always comes to me. Hindi ako makikialam hangga’t hindi ninyo ako ini-include sa buhay ninyo. (I will not meddle in your affairs, unless you allow me to or welcome me in). Kapag kayo ang tumawag, nandyan ako.” 

On cam, however, Gabby will always be the ever-reliable Kapuso actor, who has essayed a myriad of bida and kontrabida roles and has done hosting and singing (Remember, the albums Loving and Sa Di Kalayuan). “I will always be flexible for you. I can ‘bend,’” he says.