GABBI Garcia is elated that the “Encantadia” being reshown now after “24 Oras” is rating so well that fans of the Sanggres continue to connect with her and her co-stars through social media. This made her recall the time she was recruited to play the role of Sanggre Alena in the show four years ago.
“Very special sa akin ang moment na ‘yun kasi ‘yun ang biggest break ko sa showbiz,” she says. “I never thought na mapipili ako to play Alena so I have this special connection with the character. I remember na sabay-sabay kaming tinawag na members ng final cast, led by Glaiza de Castro as Pirena, Sanya Lopez as Danaya, Kylie Padilla as Amihan and sina Rocco Nacino and Ruru Madrid as our leading men, Aquil and Ybarro.”
The six of them quickly became good friends. “Yes, kaming anim. Kinakabahan kami lahat then and nung tinawag na kami as the whole cast, doon lang nila na-break ‘yung news officially. Nagulat na kami, may cameras na. Sabi namin ‘Eto na ba ‘yon?’ Sobrang memorable talaga, may photos kami noon na gulat na gulat kami, but so thankful. And now, dahil sa replay, nagkaroon ang show, at pati kami, ng bagong fans. May mga gumagaya pa sa costumes namin ngayon.”
And what is she doing whiile we’re on lockdown? “I’m redecorating our place at nawiwili akong mag-shopping ng home decor online. Parang hobby ko na ang mag-shop online looking for bargains so I can share these tipid tips sa viewers ng aking vlog.”
She’s very careful when shopping. “Ang akala kasi ng most Pinoys, kapag artista ka, magastos ka and you prefer expensive stuff, pero hindi naman talaga. Papasok pa rin talaga ‘yung pagiging praktikal mo. For me kasi, home shopping, home décor shopping na mura, it’s something like therapeutic sa ‘kin. Ang sarap sa feeling na nakakabili ka ng alam mong maganda pero praktikal at hindi masyadong expensive. Kaya sine-share ko sa vlog ko kung saan puede makabili ng magaganda, may quality but murang home decors. Ang dami ngang nagpapasalamat sa akin lalo na sa panahon ngayon na most people just stay at home.”
Gabbi was also recently a guest in Andre Paras’ own vlog, “Shout Out Andre”. “Batch mate kami as a Kapuso at marami na kaming shows na pinagsamahan, like ‘Encantadia’, ‘Sherlock Jr.’ and ‘Pamilya Roces’ kaya when he asked me to be a guest sa vlog niya, pumayag agad ako. We recalled ‘yung memorable experiences namin while working, like noong tamaan ko si Sanya Lopez ng hawak kong espada sa isang fight scene. Nakakahiya talaga.”
Andre said it was he who encouraged Gabbi to cultivate her music career. “You mentioned something na ‘I don’t think nobody will know that I can sing.’ And I was like, ‘Just keep on singing, one day, you’re gonna be on stage.’ Next thing I know, ayun na nga, you’re on stage na and now you even have your own prod.”
Gabbi sings regularly in the streaming version of “All Out Sundays” along with Alden Richards. You can also watch her and Andre Paras regularly in their own youtube channel vlogs.
