We hardly saw her face on ABS-CBN‘s now defunct youth-oriented show Gokada Go because literally a bangs covered her mien and beauty.
It’s not surprising why her screen name is Bangs. It was also the name of her fun-loving, carefree character on the show.
For the action soap Palos, which airs weeknights on Primetime Bida and stars Jake Cuenca in the title role, Valerie “Bangs” Garcia recently trimmed that excess locks to reveal the edgier, sexier side of her. Bangs has now a face that deserves a second look.
“It‘s part of the plan to still use my name Bangs so people will know that I’m the Bangs they used to see on Gokada Go,” offers the Davaoeña beauty whose ticket to local tinseltown was through the CloseUp reality search. “However, it has been discussed to change it to Valerie in the future.” If that happens, there will be two Valeries in the fence of ABS-CBN. The other one — and also the first one — is Valerie Concepcion. Since everything is coming up roses to the young actress, Bangs’ screen name is not her concern at the moment.
Playing Jake’s aggressive, charismatic co-agent named Silvia is the career change Bangs has been waiting for all these years. She hopes to make a dent on mainstream TV viewing via her character.
“Women of Palos will not be just decorations for the show,” clarifies Bangs of the roles to be played by Jake and Cesar Montano’s leading ladies on the action-packed teleserye. “They are independent and have a mind of their own. They will fight when the circumstances call for it. Palos will show more what women are and can do. We also have major action scenes. They may appear sexy but can be looked up to as models.”
Bangs is really in for some intense action and fights on Palos. This can be seen in the sequences shot in Macau recently. Like Jake, she has shown some wushu and martial arts moves in the scenes showcasing the beauty of Barra and A-Ma Temples and Coloane.
In the tradition of James Bond beauties like Sophie Marceau, Sophia Loren, Halle Berry and Denise Richards, Bangs will also show her soft and romantic side as her character Silvia falls for the hunk of a man, Giancarlo (Jake). She has a kissing scene with Jake.
“I’m comfortable with it,” says Bangs of her role that requires her to sport leather, skinny outfits which show some skin and flatter her shape. “I’m overwhelmed to get the role because playing Silvia is a big change from what I did for Gokada Go. I prepared for it and I made adjustments. In the long run, I want to get into drama and comedy.”
Also fighting for the attention of Jake or Cesar or the other men of Palos are Sunshine Cruz as Grazella, the doting mother of Giancarlo; Jodi Santamaria, agency’s top inventor Carmela; Roxanne Guinoo, the orphan Anna; Wendy Valdez, the innocent Nicolla; Regine Angeles, the fashion-forward Paola; and Carla Humphries, Fabio’s childhood friend.
Also in the cast are Gloria Romero, Bernard Bonin, Jomari Yllana, Dennis Padilla, Red Ford White, Vandolph, Julia Barretto, Jay-R Siaboc and Ron Morales.
With the way her career is going, it seems that Bangs is being groomed to be the next big thing among new Kapamilya female stars. Can she live up to the expectations?
“I will try my best and pray,” replies Bangs.