Valerie "Bangs" Pablo Garcia-Birchmore (born May 26, 1987) is a
Filipino
Filipino may refer to:
* Something from or related to the Philippines
** Filipino language, standardized variety of 'Tagalog', the national language and one of the official languages of the Philippines.
** Filipinos, people who are citizens of th ...
actress.
Early life and education
Garcia attended
Ateneo de Davao University
, mottoeng = Strong in Faith
, type = Private Catholic Research Non-profit Coeducational Basic and Higher education institution
, established =
, founder = Society of Jesus
, religious ...
, 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 Davao's local variety show ''
KSP: Kapamilya Sabado Party''.
Career
In 2005, upon the invitation of
Close-Up
A close-up or closeup in filmmaking, television production, still photography, and the comic strip medium is a type of shot that tightly frames a person or object. Close-ups are one of the standard shots used regularly with medium and long s ...
, 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
Cynthia Kristina Kurleto is an Austrian model, actress, and a former MTV VJ in the Philippines. She is known for being a commercial model and an FHM model in the Philippines and also for playing the role of Cassiopea in the hit series ''Encantadi ...
's Greta in ''
Daddy Di Do Du
''Daddy Di Do Du'' is a Philippine television situational comedy series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Bert de Leon, it stars Vic Sotto, Maxene Magalona, Danica Sotto and Isabella de Leon. It premiered on July 12, 2001 on the network's ...
''. She also auditioned for ''
Let's Go!'' and the
first teen-edition of ''
Pinoy Big Brother
''Pinoy Big Brother'', more popularly known by its abbreviated title ''PBB'', is the Philippine version of the '' Big Brother'' reality game show franchise. The word '' Pinoy'' in the title is a colloquial term for the Filipino people. Is a Phi ...
'', eventually choosing the
sitcom
A sitcom, a portmanteau of situation comedy, or situational comedy, is a genre of comedy centered on a fixed set of characters who mostly carry over from episode to episode. Sitcoms can be contrasted with sketch comedy, where a troupe may use ne ...
over the reality show.
Garcia was a series regular on ''Let's Go!'' and its final season, renamed ''
Gokada Go!
''Gokada Go!'' is a Philippine teen-oriented comedy program on ABS-CBN which was aired from June 2 to July 21, 2007 replacing ''Let's Go! (Philippine TV series), Let's Go!''.
Synopsis
This sitcom started June 2007. This youth-oriented show revolve ...
'', 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.
In 2009, Garcia played
leading lady
A leading actor, leading actress, or simply lead (), plays the role of the protagonist of a film, television show or play. The word ''lead'' may also refer to the largest role in the piece, and ''leading actor'' may refer to a person who typica ...
to
Jake Cuenca
Juan Carlos Cuenca (; born December 30, 1987) popularly known as Jake Cuenca is a Filipino-American actor and model. Born in San Jose, California and was raised in Manila, Philippines. He also played for United Football League Division 2 sides ...
's titular ''
Palos'' and appeared in TV shows ''
Katorse
''Katorse'' (International title: ''Fourteen (14)'') is a television primetime series that aired on ABS-CBN from August 24, 2009 to January 8, 2010, replacing ''Boys Over Flowers''. It tells the story of a simple small-town girl who fell in love w ...
'' and ''
Kambal sa Uma
''Jim Fernandez's Kambal sa Uma'' (International Name: ''The Rat Sisters'' /) is a 2009 Philippine fantasy horror romantic drama television series directed by Manny Q. Palo and Rechie A. del Carmen. The series stars Melissa Ricks as Ella Perea ...
'' and in films ''Marino'' and ''
Shake, Rattle & Roll XI''.
In the second season of ''
Midnight DJ
''Midnight DJ'' is a Filipino language, Filipino reality drama-Horror fiction, horror-Action fiction, action-thriller television series about DJ who works at night and at the same time, together with his team, they work to find solutions to the pa ...
'', she portrayed Samantha "Samgirl"introduced as the Midnight DJ team's researcher, resident psychic and romantic interest to
Oyo Sotto
Vittorio Mari Bonnevie Sotto (; born January 12, 1984), known professionally as Oyo Boy Sotto, is a Filipino actor. He is the son of Filipino actor-comedian-host Vic Sotto and Swiss-Filipino singer-actress Dina Bonnevie, nephew of Senator Tito ...
's SamboyGarcia had to leave show upon landing a lead role in ''
Magkano ang Iyong Dangal?
Laurice Ilagan Guillen-Feleo (born January 31, 1947) is a Filipino actress, film and television director, and college professor.
Early life and acting career
Guillen studied at St. Theresa's College, Cebu City, earned an AB English degree befor ...
'', taking over
Roxanne Guinoo
Roxanne Bosch Guinoo-Yap (born February 14, 1986) is a Filipina actress. Since April 2012, she is employed by GMA Network, having transferred from ABS-CBN as a contract of GMA Artist Center for three years. In 2015, she transferred back to her ...
.
She appeared in the horror films ''
Bulong'' and ''
Segunda Mano
''Segunda Mano'' (English: ''Second Hand'') is a 2011 Filipino supernatural science fiction horror film directed by Joyce Bernal, and it stars Kris Aquino, Dingdong Dantes, and Angelica Panganiban. The film was produced and released by Star Cinema ...
'', both in 2011, and was awarded Best Supporting Actress in the 2011 PASADO Awards for her performance in latter film.
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.
Personal life
Garcia is married to Lloyd Birchmore, together they have two daughters Amelia and Isabella.
Filmography
Television
Film
Awards and nominations
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Garcia, Bangs
Living people
Filipino film actresses
Place of birth missing (living people)
1987 births
Filipino television actresses