Enrique Gil
Enrique Mari Bacay Gil V ; born 30 March 1992) is a Filipino actor, dancer, and model.
Gil has appeared in various films and television shows such as Mula Sa Puso, Budoy, Muling Buksan Ang Puso and She's the One. He is best known for his role as Alexander "Xander" Grande III in the television series Forevermore in 2014–15, alongside Liza Soberano. Since then, he has starred in the films Just The Way You Are, Everyday I Love You, Dukot, My Ex and Whys, Seven Sundays, and Alone/Together; and the television series Dolce Amore Bagani, and Make It With You.
Early life
Gil was born on 30 March 1992 in Cebu City, Cebu Province, Central Visayas, the Philippines. He is the second son of Filipino mestizo parents Enrique Amadeo Gil III and Barbara Anne Bacay. His father is of Spanish descent, while his mother has Spanish and German ancestry. He has an older brother named Enrique Javier and a younger sister named Diandra Frances. His parents used to work as crew for Philippine Airlines. He is a cousin of Paul Salas and is also related to Dingdong Dantes.Gil finished grade school at the Montessori De Manila in March 2004, a private institute inside the BF Executive Village in Las Piñas, and secondary school in March 2008 from Manresa School in Parañaque. He went to San Beda College Alabang to pursue a degree in information technology, but put his studies on hold to focus on his acting career. In 2017, he started attending a business management programme at the Southville International School in BF International, Las Piñas City.
Career
Gil started acting in the summer of 2008. He was 16 years old, and boredom led him to enroll in commercial modeling and musical theater workshops conducted by talent development camp Trumpets. He appeared in a series of TV commercials, including a Lewis and Pearl's advertisement, alongside Coleen Garcia. He landed his first television role in the action-drama series Pieta where he played the character Harold. Before Pieta, he was in a cameo appearance in I Love Betty La Fea as one of the "Eco-models."2009 to 2012
In 2009, during the taping of Pieta, his mother convinced him to audition for the sitcom George and Cecil. As soon as head writer and director Joey Reyes saw Gil, he immediately cast him to be on the show. Later he was cast in the indie film Pitas as a brother of the lead character played by Kristel Moreno.In 2010, he co-starred in the indie war film Diego and His Brothers. He joined ASAP XV as one of Star Magic's "Gigger Boys" in April, and in May, co-starred in the teleserye Rosalka, in which he played the character of Andrew. He was originally set to appear in Kokey @ Ako, but his character was written off in favor of Jason Francisco. In October, he was given the role of Joco, the younger brother of Paolo Barredo, in the film Till My Heartaches End. He got his first hosting stint in the ABS-CBN teen variety show Shoutout!
In 2011, Shoutout! was revamped and renamed to Shoutout!: Level Up, but the show was eventually cancelled due to poor ratings. He played Jim in the 10th episode of Your Song Presents: Kim. He got his break when he was cast to play Michael Miranda — originally played by Diether Ocampo — in the 2011 remake of Mula Sa Puso. He played Troy Cabrera in Good Vibes. Gil admitted, during the Good Vibes press conference, that he was set to appear in the ABS-CBN's remake of María la del Barrio but had to turn down the role due to conflicting schedules. He replaced Albie Casiño in the Star Cinema film Way Back Home — the film debut of Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes. He appeared as BJ Maniego in Budoy. He was featured in Zia Quizon's music video debut entitled "Ako Na Lang".
In 2012, he starred as Dasho Jao Rinpoche in Princess and I. He was also cast in the movie The Reunion, a Filipino teen romantic comedy film directed by Frasco Mortiz. He was included in Amorosa, his first horror film. Later in the year, he appeared in The Strangers, one of the official entries for the 38th Metro Manila Film Festival. This was his first MMFF movie.
2013 to 2015
In 2013 Gil joined the PETA campaign Free Mali to transfer her from the Manila zoo to Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand. Mali is the only captive elephant in the Philippines and has been in captivity for the majority of her life, alone, in a tiny enclosure and in need of proper care.In February of 2013, he was featured in Myrtle Sarrosa's "Mr. Kupido" music video. He also portrayed Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on Maalaala Mo Kaya. Following this, he appeared in a number of new projects such as Muling Buksan Ang Puso series, alongside Julia Montes and Enchong Dee.
In September 2013, it was announced that he would be part of the movie She's The One with Bea Alonzo and Dingdong Dantes; many considered this his breakthrough film as an actor. He released a debut dance album under Star Records entitled King of the Gil. Later in the year, Gil appeared at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum for his first dance concert with special guests Angel Locsin, Vice Ganda, Kim Chiu, Kathryn Bernardo, Vhong Navarro, Jhong Hilario, Arron Villaflor, Rayver Cruz, Martin del Rosario, Arjo Atayde, Ejay Falcon, gloc-9, Young JV, G-force, The Streetboys, and his co-star from The Reunion, The Strangers and Muling Buksan Ang Puso, leading lady Julia Montes. Before proving his dancing prowess in his King of the Gil concert, Gil debuted on radio drama Dear M.O.R. Special on My Only Radio 101.9 For Life! and MOR TV. He portrayed Carlo, a hopeless romantic guy who gives everything to his liberated and dominant girlfriend Lois, played by FM radio's first-ever roving DJ and Darling ng Masa Eva Ronda.
In 2014, he replaced Kiko Estrada in the fantasy series Mirabella — the debut project of Julia Barretto. On February 26, the wattpad author HaveYouSeenThisGirL admitted via Twitter that Gil was really supposed to be in the film adaptation of Diary ng Panget but refused to say why it didn't push through. On March 1, Gil launched his single "Do The Moves" with Sarah Geronimo and apl.de.ap. Its youth-oriented music video was released on March 8. March 16, Gil confirmed that he would be part of the film The Trial as Martin, the best friend of Ronald. On May 18, Gil was named the "Most Promising Male Star of the Year" at the 45th Box Office Entertainment Awards of the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation. On June 25, Star Cinema announced that Gil alongside Liza Soberano would lead the film adaptation of Kimberly Joy Villanueva's novel The Bet. On August 21, Gil took part in ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra's debut album Decades of OPM together with Abra, doing their version of "Totoy Bibo." Following this, he was cast in a lead role in the 2014 romantic drama television series Forevermore as the rebellious hotel company heir Alexander "Xander" Grande III, who falls in love with Maria Agnes Calay, played by Liza Soberano.
In 2015, it was announced that instead of using the original title of the novel, The Bet, for its film adaptation, it was renamed as Just The Way You Are. This was because its namesake song, "Just The Way You Are" by Bruno Mars, follows the story of the novel. It was released on June 17, 2015.
In October 2015, after their hit film Just The Way You Are, Gil and Liza Soberano starred in a romantic movie, Everyday I Love You, this time with actor Gerald Anderson. In the movie, Gil plays Ethan, who falls in love with Bacolod lass Audrey, who is in a relationship with Tristan.
2016 to 2018
In February 2016, following the success of Forevermore, Gil and Soberano returned to prime time with the romantic drama Dolce Amore, in which he played the role of Simon Vicente "TenTen" Ibarra, a poor and hardworking Manila boy who will do anything for his family. In July 2016, Gil was the lead actor in the action movie Dukot, which was based on a real kidnapping incident in the country. It was helmed by director Paul Soriano and was co-produced by Star Cinema.In 2017, Gil starred in the romantic comedy drama film My Ex and Whys opposite Liza Soberano, directed by Cathy Garcia Molina, who had previously worked with them in the romantic comedy television series Forevermore. The movie was released in February 2017, grossing ₱31.5 million on its first day.
In 2018, he was cast in the role of Lakas, a warrior in the television drama and fantasy series Bagani. The show debuted at Number 1 in its time slot, and consistently ranked ahead of its competition during its five-month run.
2019–present
Gil is currently working on new projects: a yet-to-be-launched TV series and a movie which would feature himself and Soberano in the lead roles. The series was expected to premiere on ABS-CBN's weekday prime time offering in early to mid-2020, while the film is expected to be released in mid- or late 2020.Personal life
Gil dated Good Vibes co-star Coleen Garcia from 2010 to 2011.In February 2019, he and his frequent on-screen partner Liza Soberano publicly confirmed they had been a couple since October 24, 2014.
Filmography
Television
Film
Discography
;Notes1 Theme song for She's The One
2 Together with Sarah Geronimo and Apl.de.ap. The single is for an endorsement.
3 Together with Liza Soberano. The single is for ABS-CBN's 2015 summer station ID.
4 with Liza Soberano, Daniel Padilla, Kathryn Bernardo, James Reid, Nadine Lustre, Bamboo Mañalac, and Elha Nympha
;Notes
1 Together with Daniel Padilla and Khalil Ramos
2 Together with Abra
3 Together with Liza Soberano