Bianca Gonzalez’s journey to the dark side

MANILA, Philippines - 2013 has been a year marked with controversy and loss, with an ailing Philippines healing from the repercussions of nature’s wrath and some poor decision-making where the government is concerned. For our cover story this week, social media conscience and host with the most Bianca Gonzalez sits down with us not only to regale us with details of her life as a celebrity, but her point of view as a figure in the forefront of relief efforts, and as a fellow Filipino searching for light at the end of the tunnel.

 SUPREME: People call you one of the most socially conscientious local celebrities. Have you always made a conscious effort to give back or is it something that you’ve become increasingly aware of with the rise of your popularity?

 BIANCA GONZALEZ: Maybe a bit of both? As far back as I can remember, my mom has always taught us three children — I have an older brother JC and older sister Aissa — to share. From as small an effort as telling us when we were kids na “Ay, you share your toys with your sister. If you know how to share, I will give you more toys. But if you don’t know how to share, no more toys.” To us, growing up celebrating her birthday or Christmas na she will take us with her to a depressed community and give out meals. So I guess it was all that put together, subconsciously. As a public figure it’s hard to talk about “doing good” or “charity work” without people saying it’s a publicity, or it’s pampabango, or ask “Bakit kailangan ipakita na tumutulong?” and as much as I can, and so many other public figures I know too, do things on their own, in private. And tama ka din siguro na the more people responded positively and were affected enough for them to act, by seeing the work I do and that other people do to help, the more it made me feel that we must be doing something right. 

As a celebrity, you’re constantly working in an environment that places a premium on things that many would consider superficial. How do you keep your head above water in such an environment? How do you maintain the balance between the hectic pace of your career and the work you do to help those in need?

 I have a great support system. Family and friends keep me grounded. My boyfriend JC isn’t afraid to call me out when he feels something isn’t right, or if I am being “mataray” or if my feet aren’t on the ground. Being with my barkada from high school and college is so important to me because it takes me out of the entertainment world that can make you so jaded. I think age also has to do with it. I am fully aware now, at 30, that any day, someone younger, prettier, smarter, more interesting can come and I can be forgotten. I guess it’s a matter of staying genuine, doing your best, and being a fun and light co worker. Also, having worked from the bottom up — I started in ABS as a brainstormer in production — and did my share of hundreds of casting calls as a model but ended up being rejected. Those experiences all put you in your place. Ooh, and bashers, too. They, for me, keep the balance. Di pwedeng good lahat ng feedback. Kailangan gising ka sa katotohanan.

Is there a darker side to you that others would be surprised to see?

Yes of course! Everyone has a dark side! I do have quite a temper, hindi man halata. Things that tick me off are power trippers, terrible bus, jeep, car, motorcycle drivers, inefficiency. I would like to say that with me, what you see is what you get. But of course, how hard naman to speak for myself. Those who know me in person would be able to answer that one. I love guiltless fun! I do go out when I can and have my fair share of tipsy or drunken nights. I remember times in college my friends and I would go from gimmick, uwi para maligo, then straight to school. Those were the days! There was a time my first boyfriend and I were tago from my family for two years and I would cut class up to three times a week just to meet up with him. My mom knows that now, of course. (Laughs.) I have days when I am mataray and not in the mood, dahil pagod. On TV, especially since I work in a morning show, we have to be times 10 the perkiness and bubbliness. I am a cheerful person, but there are those days of course that I am not as bubbly, and I hope people don’t dismiss it as being a bitch. Tao lang, napapagod at nagkaka bad days. But then in general I really am a positive person. I guess if you’re in it inside then it’s not much of an effort to make it show outside.

There’s been some exhaustion on the private sector front, in that while people are still glad to help in times of necessity, they are also tired of having to pick up the government’s slack. Is this something you can relate to, in light of the most recent disaster?

Aaaaah. Definitely. We all have our frustrations about the government and our suggestions. What I noticed though is lately, we have to be very mindful of what our opinion is versus what we see others post online. It’s easy to get riled up and fired up. I myself have to stop and think of what I really feel when I see a slew of hate tweets or posts, kasi it’s easy to get swayed by other people’s posts. It’s important to assess what your opinion is. I get bashed also for my opinion: how come I call out this person on Twitter but not this other one, I am so biased, I am protecting someone’s camp, and so on. But that is my opinion and that is what social media is there for, to share opinion. They are welcome to unfollow if they dislike my points, but in all fairness, they are also entitled to bash me for whatever I post kasi post ko yun and I am responsible for that. Sorry. Going back to your question. Yes, I can relate to frustrations about how we wish things were done a certain way, about the disgusting politicking, but again, I guess as a positive person, I choose to focus on the beauty of bayanihan and how so many are doing something in their own way. What I am sure about is that I hate kurakots. I wish they grew a heart to see how the money they pocketed could go to helping hundreds of families instead of their garages. And I wish talaga ma-karma sila. (Laughs.)

When Ondoy hit Manila in 2009, we uttered the word “bayanihan” as an expression of how we helped one another without question and seemingly without limits. Knowing what you know now and seeing what you have seen, how do you think the definition of “bayanihan” has evolved as it applies to our present circumstances?

It probably still holds the same meaning for me: people coming together to help others. The difference is maybe it has expanded to the digital world. Something I discussed with another friend, Divine Lee, was that although bayanihan is awesome, it’s painful and sad to have to live it over and over every single year. Hindi ba pwedeng systems are in place so that calamities are dealt with better? What system? Hindi ko alam, but some sort of system. With climate change staring at us straight in the eye, we have to realize that storm systems will get worse every year. Don’t get me wrong. Again, bayanihan is awesome. It inspires, it makes people care.

2013 has brought about so much loss for so many, and despite the resilience of the Filipino, there also seems to be a great demand for hope. As a public figure that many look to for inspiration, how can we help address that need, especially at this time of the year?

Many look to for inspiration is so mabigat, but thank you! I think Filipinos are generally hopeful. We may rant a lot, complain a lot, mema as in memasabi lang, but deep down to our core we are a happy, hopeful people. I believe. I think we are also just a “forgetful” or “happy go lucky” bunch, and we often need a little push or a simple reminder that there is so much to be hopeful about. Buti na lang Pasko so there is a lot of hope in the air! Otherwise, for the rest of the year, I think what would work would be for all of us to regularly take time to stop and breathe and think and listen to ourselves. To drown out all the noise and social media flooding and try to tap that hope deep down inside. Cheesy ba? I am no beauty queen pero baka pwede na ang sagot! (Laughs.)

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Tweet the author @gabbietatad.