Gab to direct movie about depression

‘Depression is real and suicide is not a decision. It is a chemical imbalance that makes you feel  down. Through this movie, I want to help people understand what it is.’

MANILA, Philippines — Gary Valenciano’s son Gab, a man on a rebound after a failed marriage and an apparent public admission of guilt, is embarking on perhaps his most ambitious personal venture: Direct a full-length movie about depression, a subject he knows quite well. 

“I am working on a script for a movie and we will start production in six to eight months’ time,” revealed the 30-year-old dancer who late last year put up a production company called Nativ Global. 

The suicides of globally known celebrities Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade should fuel Gab all the more as the subject he chose is as timely as it gets. He related, “The movie has to do with depression and how you can redeem yourself from it. Depression is real and suicide is not a decision. It is a chemical imbalance that makes you feel down. Through this movie, I want to help people understand what it is.”

The film project, with its main idea coming from a dream he had months ago, is yet untitled, with names of the prospective actors to appear he can’t reveal yet. It is likely to be shown next year. 

Having experienced serious trouble in his private life himself, Gab noted that some instances in the upcoming film will mirror “a very big part of my life growing up.”

The multi-hyphenated performer studied film scoring that eventually led to his immersion in the art of filmmaking. He started doing it professionally by directing music videos. 

He added that he is preparing for his movie directorial debut by watching cinematically dark material or letting the style of his influences like Christopher Nolan, J.J. Abrams and Quentin Tarantino affect his approach. 

Gab’s marriage with model Tricia Centenera acrimoniously broke down, in the process becoming a much-publicized split. Gab admitted to feeling like a loser as he was breaking apart, and that he was partly emotionally saved because he “opened up” to his family. He recalled thinking throughout that he was a failure and a burden to his family.

Months ago, he even had a friend who committed suicide. On this, he shared, “The world is getting darker. It’s easy to think of bad thoughts and so much people expressed hate on social media.”

But he countered, “But at the end of the day, it’s easy to gain positivity. Surround yourself with family. If something happens, don’t keep it inside. Go to the person you trust the most.”

Gab was spotted by The STAR last June 7 attending a VIP gathering at the Axon in Green Sun Hotel Makati in celebration of Ginebra San Miguel’s World Gin Day as One Gin Nation. He is one of the night’s influencers and he mentioned that it’s the first time he attended such a gathering in a long while. 

Myrtle Sarrosa, Ana Ramsey and Quest were also around, along with mixologists Enzo Lim, Kalel Demetrio and Icy Marianas who all created special Ginebra San Miguel cocktails.

First celebrated in the country in 2014, World Gin Day celebrations were also held in Cabanatuan, Cebu and Davao establishments offering the Gin O’ Clock promo. 

World Gin Day is actually celebrated every second Saturday of June since it began 10 years ago. 

“It’s fun to grab a beer and relax every now and then,” Gab said, sounding appropriately after what he had gone through and what’s happening in the world right now.