Bernard Palanca, Jr. is a Filipino host, film/television character actor, and product endorser.
Early life
His maternal grandfather, Armando Goyena, was also an actor as is his younger brother, Mico Palanca. He is the son of Bernard Palanca, Sr., a race car driver, who died when Bernard, Jr. was just a child. He is also the grandson of businessman and philanthropist Carlos Palanca, Jr. of the prestigious Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. His mother, Pita Revilla-Palanca comes from the Revilla clan. One of his aunts is former actress/Camay model/jewelry designer Marites Revilla-Araneta. Cita Revilla-Puyat also a Camay model is his aunt. Bianca Araneta-Elizalde, a supermodel and daughter of Marites is his cousin. Tina Revilla-Valencia a former TV host is also his aunt. Another showbiz relation is actor-businessman Johnny Revilla married to singer Janet Basco. Palanca is known to be a versatile actor and has worked with all the famous actors and actresses in Philippine cinema. He has Chinese ancestry from his father's side.
Palanca was a member of ABS-CBN Star Magic talents but he did not renew his contract after the expiration. He decided to fuse on GMA Network and became one of the cast of primetime series Gagambino where he worked with Dennis Trillo, Katrina Halili and Ryza Cenon. After Gagambino, Bernard appeared again in the afternoon hit drama series co-starred with Heart Evangelista and JC de Vera in the remake of Ngayon at Kailanman aired on GMA Network. Palanca also had a short role on Philippine remake of Rosalinda. He had a guesting role on GMA's rival station ABS-CBN via May Bukas Pa for a short stint. He was a regular cast member on GMA's fantasy series called Panday Kids but the management allowed him to have some roles on their rival station ABS-CBN's program Rosalka top-billed by Empress Schuck as well. He was once part of GMA Network's Philippine remake of Koreanovela Autumn in My Heart - Endless Love and as of 2013, he was back on his home network ABS-CBN. Palanca played Diego Buenavista in the 2015 remake of Pangako Sa 'Yo, a role originally played by Jestoni Alarcon.
Personal life
Palanca has already been publicly open about his past drug addiction and admitted he went into rehabilitation during his showbiz hiatus. He was also known for his long-term relationship with actress Rica Peralejo who he dated from late 2000-2003 and was once married to actress Meryll Soriano, the eldest daughter of presenter and actor Willie Revillame. On August 27, 2007, Soriano gave birth to their son, Elijah Pineda at Makati Medical Center. Her mother, Bec-Bec Soriano, rushed her to hospital, while Palanca and his mother Pita arrived later. Revillame himself promised to pay the bills. After Palanca and Soriano separated, Palanca dated Jerika Ejercito, daughter of former President and Mayor of ManilaJoseph Ejercito Estrada. Ejercito gave birth to a baby boy named Isaiah Joseph Ejercito Palanca on May 7, 2014. Palanca and Ejercito are on good terms with Palanca's former wife, Soriano. Palanca and Ejercito separated in 2016 and is in a relationship since with Tracey Tabora, a fashion designer and professor, a year later.
