Bangs Garcia
Filipino actress
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Valerie "Bangs" Pablo Garcia-Birchmore (Tagalog pronunciation: [gaɾˈsɪa]; born May 26, 1987) is a Filipino-British former model and actress.
Early life and education
Garcia attended Ateneo de Davao University[2], where she was part of the university's theater and dance groups. While studying for a Nursing degree, she participated in the Mindanao-wide talent search Campus Idols, in 2004, and was awarded a co-hosting stint in ABS-CBN Channel 4 Davao's local variety show KSP: Kapamilya Sabado Party.[3]
Career
In 2005, upon the invitation of Close-Up, who was a major sponsor of Campus Idols; Garcia joined ABS-CBN's Close-Up To Fame talent search, where she finished a runner-up. In the same year, she appeared as the best friend of Cindy Kurleto's Greta in Daddy Di Do Du.[3] She also auditioned for Let's Go! and the first teen-edition of Pinoy Big Brother, eventually choosing the sitcom over the reality show.[3]
Garcia was a series regular on Let's Go! and its final season, renamed Gokada Go![4], where she played the emo chick Bangs. Originally credited using her real name, her character in the sitcom eventually gave birth to her screen name.[4]
In 2009, Garcia played leading lady to Jake Cuenca's titular Palos and appeared in TV shows Katorse and Kambal sa Uma[4] and in films Marino and Shake, Rattle & Roll XI.[5]
In the second season of Midnight DJ, she portrayed Samantha "Samgirl"—introduced as the Midnight DJ team's researcher, resident psychic[6] and romantic interest to Oyo Sotto's Samboy—Garcia had to leave show upon landing a lead role in Magkano ang Iyong Dangal?, taking over Roxanne Guinoo.[7]
She appeared in the horror films Bulong and Segunda Mano, both in 2011,[8] and was awarded Best Supporting Actress in the 2011 PASADO Awards for her performance in latter film.[2]
Garcia played the titular character in the period drama psychological thriller Lauriana in 2013 and was awarded Best Actress in the PASADO Awards following year.[9]
Personal life
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | KSP: Kapamilya Sabado Party | Herself ― host | Credited as "Val Garcia" | |
| 2006–07 | Let's Go! | Bangs | Credited as "Valerie Garcia" | [13] |
| 2007 | Your Song | Angie | Episode: "What Are the Chances" | |
| 2007–14 | ASAP | Herself / Performer | ||
| 2007 | Lastikman | Angie | Credited as "Valerie Garcia" | |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya | Sheila | Episode: "Cellphone" | ||
| Laura's cousin | Episode: "Larawan" | |||
| Gokada Go! | Bangs | |||
| 2008 | Palos | Sylvia | [14] | |
| 2009 | Kambal sa Uma | Ynez Ocampo | ||
| Katorse | Shakira | |||
| 2009–10 | Precious Hearts Romances Presents: My Cheating Heart | Arlyn Peralta | ||
| 2010 | Midnight DJ | Samgirl | [6] | |
| Magkano ang Iyong Dangal? | Carmela | |||
| 2010–11 | Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Kristine | Diana Montero | ||
| 2012 | Hiyas | Salve | ||
| Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo | Mia Pedroso | [14] | ||
| 2012–13 | Luv U | Jessica Casimsiman | ||
| 2014 | The Legal Wife | Young Sandra de Villa | ||
| Dyesebel | Prinsesa Coralia | |||
| 2015 | Mac & Chiz | Apple | ||
| Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal | Herself - Briefcase Number 20 | |||
| 2016 | Ang Panday | Ida / Venus Virus | ||
| 2017 | Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin | young Victoria Quintana-Dela Vega |
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Sponge Cola: Movie | Videostore Dream Girl | Video short | |
| 2009 | Marino | Aya | ||
| Shake, Rattle & Roll XI | Chari | Segment: "Lamanglupa" | ||
| 2010 | Cinco | Rowena | Segment: "Puso" | [4] |
| 2011 | Bulong | Ellen | ||
| Segunda Mano | Anna | [9][8] | ||
| 2012 | Posas | Grace Resuello | ||
| The Reunion | Shirley | |||
| Migrante | [15] | |||
| Coming Soon | ||||
| 2013 | Burgos | [15] | ||
| Lauriana | Lauriana | [16][9] | ||
| Sabine | Sabine | [5] | ||
| 2014 | So It's You | Rose | ||
| 2015 | Baka Siguro Yata | Melissa | Credited as "Valerie "Bangs" Garcia" | [17] |
| No Boyfriend Since Birth | Hannah | |||
| Manila's Finest | Miriam de Dios | [18] | ||
| El Brujo | [5] | |||
| 2016 | Dukot | Girlie | ||
Awards and nominations
| Year | Work | Organization | Category | Result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Segunda Mano | PASADO Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Won | [2] |
| 2014 | Lauriana | Best Actress | Won | [9] | |
| 2015 | Baka Siguro Yata | Cinema One Originals | Best Actress | Nominated | [19] |