From a struggling band member who used to sing in Olongapo to a stand-up comedienne doing her skits in sing-along bars and one of the members of the now defunct group Gladys and the Boxers with K, Gladys turned out to be one of the successful TV personalities today.
"I still remember the people who helped me be where I am now like Arnell Ignacio who discovered my singing talent. He advised me to join every singing competition there is like in Music Box and Shakey’s until I became a sing-along master in several music bars doing stand-up comedy," she shares.
It was in a music bar where Boy Abunda found Gladys. Boy is the guy behind the hitmaking Gladys and the Boxers with K. The singer has also tasted what it is like to be on a TV show when she appeared on Si Tsong, Si Tsang with Earl Ignacio and Susan Lozada.
Gladys also appeared on Brunch with Bing Loyzaga and Michelle van Eimeren. Todo Max, H3O and Eat, Bulaga! were her recent shows. There seems to be no stopping the comedienne in flaunting her talent as she is now a lead star in GMA 7’s newest show, Magic Kamison.
"This is the best birthday gift for me," Gladys Guevarra, whose birthday falls on Feb. 22, says.
Gladys, who used to impersonate Annabelle Rama, Mahal and Rufa Mae Quinto, plays a character miles away from what she used to portray on screen. It will test her acting ability on TV, and her knack for bringing in the televiewers, specially the kids. After all, the show also imparts moral values like respect for elders, caring for others and having a golden heart.
"My character, Chuchay, is a slow learner but kind and ready to help others," Gladys says.
The fantaserye is a story of an absurd yet amusing, kind-hearted ukay-ukay sales lady who becomes a modern day fairy godmother after a mysterious old woman hands her a white chemise to continue the mission of making dreams of people with pure intentions come true. It will be shown every Sunday after S.O.P. starting today.
However, the responsibility that comes with having a show is like a heavy metal pressed on her shoulders. This is the first time that the comedienne will be seen not only providing doses of funny antics but also delving in dramatic scenes with co-stars like Nadine Samonte, Iwa Moto, Alfred Vargas, Carmi Martin, Joy Viado, Mike Gayoso and Tia Pusit.
"It’s a great pressure on my part. I’m lucky that GMA trusted me to star in this show. I’ll try my appeal to the kids who will surely learn a lesson or two about doing good deeds to others," she says.
Not many people know GMA offered the fantaserye to Gladys long before she bid Eat, Bulaga! goodbye and before people speculated why she left the noontime show.
"I’ve been with Bulaga for six years. Due to health problems (scoliosis and disc bulge), which were diagnosed two years ago and the pain I’m feeling now, I have to slow down with work," she explains.
Slowing down means dropping not only Bulaga but some of her nightly gigs in music bars.
Indeed, health is wealth. It is better to have enough money to sustain the basic needs than to lose much money to sickness. A twice a week therapy session now tops Gladys’ list.
If anyone thinks the fantaserye is more exhausting than an everyday show, Gladys says, "We do our taping once a week, so it’s not a burden."
Aside from the show, she takes time out for her business, Lugawan Republic, and plans to take a course at the Center for Culinary Arts.