BB Gandanghari

BB Gandanghari
Born Rustom Cariño Padilla
September 4, 1967
Philippines
Other names Rustom Padilla
Alma mater Saint Louis University, Baguio City
University of California, Los Angeles
Occupation actress, model, entertainer, comedianne, director
Years active 1990–Present
Spouse(s) Carmina Villaroel (m. 1998–2002) annulled
Parent(s) Carlos Roy Padilla
and Eva Carino

BB Gandanghari (English: Miss Beautiful King, born Rustom Cariño Padilla on September 4, 1967)[1] is a Filipino transgender actress, model, entertainer, comedanne, and director. She is the older sister to actor Robin Padilla and younger sister to Royette and Rommel Padilla, both actors. In January 2009, after returning from the United States, Gandanghari came out as a trans woman and changed her name to BB (sometimes spelled Bebe Gandanghari), saying that the person which the people used to know is already dead.

In an interview, Gandanghari stated the name is derived from the Filipino words Bb. (abbreviation of Binibini, an honorific equivalent to "Miss") and Gandanghari, a portmanteau of the words ganda (beauty) and hari (king), adding that the "Bb." refers to her motto "'Be' all that you can 'be'".[2][3]

Background

Gandanghari entered show business as a matinee idol and later as an action star. She was also the presenter of Philippine franchise for Wheel of Fortune on ABC 5. After her hosting stint, Gandanghari left the Philippines and studied filmmaking in the United States.

Gandanghari appeared in the film adaptation of the comic book Zsazsa Zaturnnah (her first film role as a gay man) as the gay salon owner Ada (Adrian), the alter ego of Zsazsa Zaturnnah. She appeared in the television series La Vendetta on GMA 7 and the Happy Hearts, later appearing on the ABS-CBN teleserye, Eva Fonda.

In 2009, Gandanghari hosted the National Kidlat Awards on the resort island of Boracay in Malay, Aklan. She appeared again in SRO Cinema Serye: Rowena Joy.

Personal life

Gandanghari was born to Carlos Roy Padilla and Eva Cariño. She has seven siblings: three brothers and four sisters.[1] Before coming out as a trans woman, Gandanghari married Carmina Villaroel In 1994; she filed for annulment after several months, which was granted in June 2002.[4]

She became one of the 14 housemates in Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition. On March 2, 2006, she came out of the closet on the show by telling fellow housemate Keanna Reeves that she was a gay man[5] On day 45 of the competition, Gandanghari opted to voluntarily leave the house.

In January 2009, Gandanghari came out as a trans woman. She plans to undergo sex reassignment surgery.[6][7] Her brother, action star Robin Padilla, at first said that he fully accepted the decision, but later he has recanted his earlier statements and admitted that he is still shocked and not on good terms with her. Their mother, and all of Gandanghari's brothers still call her Rustom.[8]

Gandanghari holds a B.A. in Economics from St. Louis University, Baguio City and studied Filmmaking at UCLA.

Filmography

Television

Movies

Awards

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 bio. Robinpadilla.net. Retrieved on 2012-08-17.
  2. ↑ Salanga, Elyas Isabelo L. (2009-01-18). Rustom Padilla is now Bebe Gandanghari PEP.Ph
  3. ↑ Franco, Berni (2009-01-19). "Good-bye Rustom Padilla, Hello Bebe Gandanghari" (in (Tagalog)). ABS-CBN.com.
  4. ↑ Carmina, Zoren open to working with Rustom. Gmanews.tv (2007-01-31). Retrieved on 2012-08-17.
  5. ↑ "Rustom finds his way home". Asian Journal Online. October 11, 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-09.
  6. ↑ Group backs Bebe Gandanghari’s reported sex change plan. Abs-cbnnews.com (2010-04-21). Retrieved on 2012-08-17.
  7. ↑ Showbiz Transformations 2: Of Looking Better and Gender Benders. Pep.ph (2008-06-16). Retrieved on 2012-08-17.
  8. ↑ Padilla and his brothers still in "state of shock" over BB Gandanghari; still calls BB "Rustom". Pep.ph. Retrieved on 2012-08-17.