BB Gandanghari
BB Gandanghari | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 4, 1967 |
| Other names | Rustom Padilla (1990–2009) |
| Citizenship |
|
| Alma mater | |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Spouse | |
| Parents |
|
| Family | Padilla family |
| Website | [1] |
Binibini "BB" Gandanghari (Tagalog pronunciation: [paˈdɪl.ja]; formerly Rustom Padilla; born September 4, 1967) is a Filipino-American[1] actress, model, entertainer, comedian, and director.
She is the elder sibling of Robin Padilla and the younger sibling of Royette and Rommel Padilla, all of whom are actors. Gandanghari enjoyed success in Philippine films in the early 1990s (as "Rustom Padilla"), before taking a hiatus in 2001.
She returned to prominence in 2006 when she joined the Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition where she came out as a gay male after 44 days. She would later came out as a transgender woman in 2009 when she adopted her current name and became an American citizen in 2022.
Early life and education
[edit | edit source]Binibini Gandanghari was born on September 4, 1967[2] to Casimiro Bustamante Padilla, a film director and Lolita Eva (née Cariño) who was also an actress. She has seven siblings: three brothers and four sisters.[3] Gandanghari is assigned male at birth and went by the given name, Rustom, prior to transitioning in 2009.
Gandanghari holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Saint Louis University in Baguio, Philippines and studied filmmaking at University of California Los Angeles in 2010.[4][5] She finished Bachelor of Science in Entertainment Business in 2025.[6]
Career
[edit | edit source]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. After her hosting stint, Gandanghari left the Philippines and studied film making 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 and the Happy Hearts, later appearing on the ABS-CBN teleserye, Eva Fonda.
In 2006, Gandanghari became one of the 14 housemates in Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition. On March 2, 2006, she came out as gay on the show.[7] On day 45 of the competition, Gandanghari opted to voluntarily leave the house.
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. In September 2017, Gandanghari signed with the Brogan Agency in Venice, California.[8]
On 9 August 2019, she made her American television debut in the Netflix series GLOW, where she played a clairvoyant named Patricia in the eighth episode of the series' third season.[9]
Personal life
[edit | edit source]She, her mother, Robin, and three siblings were raised as Roman Catholics and later converted to the Jehovah Witness religion in 1985.[10]
Former marriage
[edit | edit source]Padilla and actress Carmina Villarroel started relationship on June 24, 1992.[11] They married on June 4, 1994, in a civil ceremony in Caloocan. They separated in September 1997 and Villarroel filed for annulment within the same year, which was formally granted by the Court of Pasig in June 2002.[12][13][14][15]
Gender identity
[edit | edit source]In January 2009, Gandanghari came out as a transgender woman and chose to undergo gender confirmation surgery.[16][17] Her brother Robin Padilla at first fully accepted the decision, but later recanted his earlier statements and admitted that he was still shocked and not on good terms with her. Their mother, and all of Gandanghari's other siblings continue to address her by her former male deadname, Rustom.[18]
Gandanghari originally used the name Patricia Padilla but later sourced her newfound name from an art student in University of Santo Tomas whose actual name was Ganda—Hari. She later altered this name which is derived from the Filipino words:
- Bb. — (abbreviation of Binibini, an honorific equivalent to "Maiden")
- Gandanghari — a portmanteau combination of the words ganda (beauty) and hari (royalty, kingship)
She also uses the word "Bb." refers to the saying "'Be' all that you can 'be'".[19][20]
The Superior Court of California in Orange County approved both her legal name and gender in 2016. She previously worked as a bookkeeper for a debt collection agency.[21] In 2017, Gandanghari reportedly obtained employment as a driver for Uber and later as a caregiver for elderly in the United States.[22]
In 2022, she became a citizen of the United States[1] while her current name is also recognized on her U.S. passport.[23]
Filmography
[edit | edit source]This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (February 2022) |
Television
[edit | edit source]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986–1993 | Lunch Date | Herself/host | As Rustom Padilla |
| 1992–1997 | Valiente | Doctor Albert Rosales | |
| 1992–1994 | 17 Bernard Club | Herself | |
| 1993 | GMA Telesine Specials | ||
| 1994 | Spotlight Drama Special | ||
| Star Drama Theater Presents: Carmina | Guest Episode title: Magkasuyo | ||
| 1997 | Star Drama Theater Presents: Camille | Guest Episode title: Ang Daya Mo | |
| 1997–1999 | Wansapanataym | Various roles | |
| 1999–2000 | Pintados | Doctor Virus | |
| 1999–2001 | Saan Ka Man Naroroon | Alex | |
| 2001 | Wheel of Fortune | Herself | |
| 2007–2008 | La Vendetta | Alfie Camba | |
| 2008–2009 | Eva Fonda | Patricia "Patty" Rosal | As BB Gandanghari |
| 2009 | SRO Cinemaserye: Rowena Joy | Frannie | |
| 2009–2010 | Cool Center | Herself | |
| 2012–2013 | Enchanted Garden | Queen Michiko / Helfora | |
| 2015 | 2½ Daddies | Evangelio "Eva" Pastoran / Gelo Pastoran | |
| 2019 | GLOW [24] | Patricia | |
| 2022 | Metro Manila Film Festival Gabi ng Parangal | Herself/host |
Film
[edit | edit source]- Onyong Majikero (1991)
- Magnong Rehas (1992)
- Narito ang Puso Ko (1992)
- Ngayon at Kailanman (1992)
- Hanggang Saan Hanggang Kailan (1993)
- Kapag Iginuhit ang Hatol ng Puso (1993)
- Gagay: Prinsesa ng Brownout (1993)
- Ikaw (1993)
- Kadenang Bulaklak (1994)
- Brat Pack (1994)
- Hindi Magbabago (1994)
- Mistah (1994)
- Mars Ravelo's Darna! Ang Pagbabalik (1994)
- Marami Ka Pang Kakaining Bigas (1994)
- Sana Dalawa ang Puso Ko (1995)
- The Jessica Alfaro Story (1995)
- Maruja (1996)
- Bilang Na ang Araw Mo (1996)
- Paano Kung Wala Ka Na (1997)
- Abuso: Case #6433 (1997)
- Walang Katapusang Init (1998)
- Ganito Na Akong Magmahal (1998)
- May Isang Pamilya (1999)
- Ako'y Ibigin Mo ... Lalaking Matapang (1999)
- Bilib Ako Sa'yo (1999)
- Ganito Ako Magmahal (1999)
- Yamashita: The Tiger's Treasure (2001)
- Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah, ze Moveeh (2006)
- Happy Hearts (2007)
References
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- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ bio Archived July 6, 2017, at the Wayback Machine. Robinpadilla.net. Retrieved on August 17, 2012.
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Showbiz Transformations 2: Of Looking Better and Gender Benders Archived March 22, 2019, at the Wayback Machine. Pep.ph (June 16, 2008). Retrieved on 2012-08-17.
- ^ Robin Padilla and his brothers still in "state of shock" over BB Gandanghari; still calls BB "Rustom". Pep.ph. Retrieved on August 17, 2012.
- ^ Salanga, Elyas Isabelo L. (January 18, 2009). Rustom Padilla is now Bebe Gandanghari (archived) PEP.Ph
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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External links
[edit | edit source]- BB Gandanghari at IMDb
- Official website Archived November 24, 2019, at the Wayback Machine
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- 1967 births
- Living people
- Filipino male television actors
- Filipino television actresses
- Filipino television variety show hosts
- Filipino male film actors
- Filipino film actresses
- Transgender female models
- Transgender comedians
- Filipino transgender actresses
- Filipino LGBTQ comedians
- GMA Network (company) people
- ABS-CBN people
- Star Magic personalities
- Radio Philippines Network personalities
- TV5 Network people
- Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition contestants
- Filipino LGBTQ film directors
- Filipino women comedians
- Filipino film directors
- UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television alumni
- Padilla family
- Saint Louis University (Philippines) alumni
- 21st-century Filipino LGBTQ people
- 21st-century American women
- 21st-century Filipino actresses
- 21st-century American LGBTQ people
- Naturalized citizens of the United States
- Comedians from Quezon City
- Converts to Jehovah's Witnesses