I binge-watched Glow so I could catch the much-publicized appearance of Filipino transwoman Bb Gandanghari (formerly actor Rustom Padilla) in one of its Season 3 episodes. Yes, indeed, she does have a short role in episode 8 (the 2nd episode before the finale) as Patricia. Actually is shorter than a minute.
Bb Gandanghari has a skillful agent that got her a very brief part (nearly editable has it isn’t very crucial in the development of the episode), so we should expect more cameo roles in the future before she finally clinches a longer role. Well, at least it was a speaking part.
Glow is a comedy produced for the web initially before Netflix picked it up. The first season in 2017 consisted of 10 episodes, and season 2 in 2018 also had 10 episodes. This current season that premiered on Netflix in August had a similar number of episodes and continues on with the lives of the ladies that became Glow or Gorgeous ladies of wrestling.
Debbie Egan (Betty Gilpin) has hooked a rancher but her friend Ruth Wilder (Alsion Brie) remains alone as Russell Barroso (Victor Quinaz) travels to Spain as a camera operator for a film directed by Menahem Golan. Sam Sylvia (Marc Maron), Glow’s director, calls him about a film he’s doing and wants her in it.
It seems that the series that used to be fun to watch is now descending into a mushy melodrama about this actor wannabes that found fame as TV wrestling ladies as the show starts losing steam even as Bash Howard (Chris Lowell) is also losing his sexual desire for the wrestler she married, Rhonda Richardson (Kate Nash).
I just don’t quite value the noise that Bb Gandanghari’s appearance in one episode created in the local media. It wasn’t even much of an acting part. Patricia simply welcomed Ruth to her well-lit hut along the highway. The lonely actor wannabe was lonely and wanted some voodoo services from a $10-tarot card reader.
Local media are easily won over by tales about Filipino performers doing things overseas, particularly in Hollywood.
Bb Gandanghari’s case is no different from Tetchie Agbayani who landed roles in films made by American directors. She was featured in Gymkata (1985) an action thriller, then in John Boorman’s Emerald Forest (1985) as an Amazon girl.
Other than those films, she was also cast in minor roles like in the Tom Hanks starrer The Money Pit, and several others.
Filipino Americans who are in Hollywood now can never land on lead roles unless the film or TV show is about Asians or Asian Americans. Even the medical dramas proliferating on TV like The Resident, Grey’s Anatomy, The Good Doctor, and New Amsterdam don’t have a single Filipino in the cast considering that in most hospitals in the US (particularly in California and New York) Filipino nurses are all over.
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Nadine is new GCash endorser
Young star Nadine Lustre is the new face of the Philippines’ leading mobile wallet, GCash.
The multi-awarded actress headlines GCash’s “What Can’t You Do?” campaign to power the dreams of young adults who constantly want to do more, to expand possibilities, and to achieve beyond their own expectations.
“Nadine is the perfect fit for GCash because she represents the true aspirations of young adults and is at that point in her life where taking charge of your finances is becoming more important. She shows how young adults can be independent and take charge of their own lives, and with the help of GCash, “What Can’t You Do?” means so much more,” Chris Manguera, chief marketing officer at Mynt, which runs GCash, said.
After starting out as a singer in a pop band, Lustre evolved to become a much-sought-after actress on TV, with her primetime hits On The Wings of Love (2015) and Till I Met You (2016).
The 25-year-old actress has fared as well on the big screen, winning the Best Actress awards from Young Critics Circle, FAMAS Awards and the Gawad Urian Awards in 2019 for Never Not Love You. Her latest film, Indak, a dance musical movie, shows Lustre’s flexibility as an actress.
Early this year, one of world’s biggest fast fashion brands, H&M, launched Lustre as its first Filipino ambassador. The actress, named by a top magazine as Sexiest Woman in 2017, has her own line of swimwear with H&M.
“She has built her brand and can create the image of a lifestyle that everyone will want to follow. We hope for that to happen with GCash as well,” Manguera said. “We also want to activate her big fan base to help spread the word of financial inclusion and empowerment.”
Lustre, who was voted Artist of the Year and Favorite Female Artist at the Myx Music Awards 2019, is a social media savant who has 6.8 million followers on Instagram.
GCash’s “What Can’t You Do?” campaign pushes the limits of what mobile phones can do for young adults with its innovative financial services accessible through mobile. With over 50,000 partner merchants and 20 million users, GCash remains the country’s leading mobile wallet.
Like Lustre, who has won over the entire country and has kept everyone’s attention throughout the years by relentlessly adapting to change, G Cash continues to evolve not just as a digital platform but as a lifestyle brand.
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Gary V at EK
Enchanted Kingdom is proud to present a very special, one-night-only show entitled Music For Life with Mr. Pure Energy, Gary Valenciano.
On Aug. 31, head over to EK’s Enchanting Events Place and watch Gary performing his best hits and many more, for the benefit of Real Life Foundations.
Get your tickets now because this will be a night to remember!