Enrique Gil | |
|---|---|
 Gil in June 2014 | |
| Born | Enrique Mari Bacay Gil V (1992-03-30)March 30, 1992 (age 32)[1] |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Other names |
|
| Education | Degree in Business Management[3][4] |
| Alma mater | San Beda College Alabang Southville International School |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Agent(s) | Star Magic (2008–present) MQuest Ventures (2025–present) |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Partner | Liza Soberano (2014–2022)[5] |
Enrique Mari Bacay Gil V (Tagalog:[ɛnˈɾikɛˈhil]; born March 30, 1992)[1] is a Filipino actor and dancer. Gil has appeared in various films and television shows such asMula sa Puso,Budoy,Princess and I,Muling Buksan ang Puso andShe's the One. He is best known for his role as Alexander "Xander" Grande III in the television seriesForevermore in 2014–15, alongsideLiza Soberano.[6] Since then, he has starred in the filmsJust the Way You Are (2015),Everyday I Love You (2015),Dukot (2016),My Ex and Whys (2017),Seven Sundays (2017), andAlone/Together (2019); and the television seriesDolce Amore (2016),Bagani (2018), andMake It With You (2020).
Enrique Mari Bacay Gil V was born on March 30, 1992, inCebu City,Philippines.[7][8][9] He is the second son of Enrique Amadeo Gil III and Barbara Anne Bacay.[2][8] He has an older brother named Enrique Javier IV[8][10] and a younger sister named Diandra Frances.[8][9][10] His parents used to work as flight crew forPhilippine Airlines. Gil is a relative of actorDingdong Dantes.[11]
Gil finished grade school at the Montessori De Manila in March 2004, a private institute inside the BF Executive Village inLas Piñas, and secondary school at theManresa School inParañaque in March 2008.[12][13] He went toSan Beda College Alabang to pursue a degree inInformation Technology, but put his studies on hold to focus on his acting career. In 2016, he started attending aBusiness Management Program[3][4] at theSouthville International School[3][4] in BF International,Las Piñas.[3][4]
Gil started acting in 2008. He was 16 years old when his mother made him joinMy Talent summer workshops headed by Trumpets Playshop founder and STAGES president Audie Gemora, to overcome his shyness. They eventually pushed him to audition forStar Magic.[14] Before being introduced to the media as a member of the Star Magic Circle Batch 16, he appeared in a series ofTV commercials, including a Lewis and Pearl's advertisement, alongsideColeen Garcia.[15] He landed his first television role in theaction-drama seriesPieta where he played the character Harold.[12] BeforePieta, he had a cameo appearance inI Love Betty La Fea as one of the "Eco-models."
In 2009, during the taping ofPieta, his mother convinced him to audition for thesitcomGeorge and Cecil. As soon as head writer and directorJose Javier Reyes saw Gil, he immediately cast him to be on the show.[12] Later he was cast in theindie filmPitas as a brother of the lead character played by Kristel Moreno.[16]
In 2010, he co-starred in theindiewar filmDiego and His Brothers.[16][17] He joinedASAP XV as one ofStar Magic's "Gigger Boys" in April,[18] and in May, co-starred in theteleseryeRosalka, in which he played Andrew. He was originally set to appear inKokey @ Ako,[19] but his character was written off in favor ofJason Francisco. In October, he was given the role of Joco, the younger brother of Paolo Barredo (Gerald Anderson), in the filmTill My Heartaches End.[20] He got his first hosting stint in the ABS-CBN teen variety showShoutout!. This was revamped and renamed toShoutout!: Level Up, but the show was eventually cancelled due to poor ratings.[21]
In 2011, Gil finally nabbed his first lead role as Michael Miranda — originally played byDiether Ocampo — in the2011 remake ofMula Sa Puso.[22] He next played Jim in the 10th episode ofYour Song Presents: Kim. The same year, he played Troy Cabrera inGood Vibes.[23] Gil admitted, during theGood Vibes press conference, that he was set to appear in the ABS-CBN'sremake ofMaría la del Barrio but had to turn down the role due to conflicting schedules.[23] He replacedAlbie Casiño in theStar Cinema filmWay Back Home — the film debut ofKathryn Bernardo andJulia Montes.[24][25] It was succeeded by his stint as Benjamin “BJ” Maniego inBudoy.[26] He was featured inZia Quizon's music video debut entitled "Ako Na Lang".
In 2012, he starred as Dasho Jao Rinpoche inPrincess and I, which became one of the most popular shows onABS-CBN. He was also cast in the filmThe Reunion, a Filipino teen romantic comedy film directed by Frasco Mortiz.[27] He was included inAmorosa, his first horror film.[28] Later in the year, he appeared inThe Strangers, one of the official entries for the 38th Metro Manila Film Festival. This was his first MMFF film.[29]
In February 2013, he was featured inMyrtle Sarrosa's "Mr. Kupido" music video. He also portrayed Senate PresidentJuan Ponce Enrile onMaalaala Mo Kaya.[30] Following this, he appeared in a number of new projects such asMuling Buksan ang Puso series, alongsideJulia Montes andEnchong Dee.
In October 2013, he starred in the filmShe's the One withBea Alonzo andDingdong Dantes, which earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination in theFAMAS Awards. Many considered this his breakthrough film as an actor.[31][32] The film earned 12 million pesos on its first day and grossed 135 million pesos on its fifth week.[33]
Gil further gained attention for his dancing skills through his signature moves to the song "Teach Me How to Dougie" and "Gentleman."[34] He released a debut dance album underStar Records entitledKing of the Gil which reached Gold status.[35] Later in the year, Gil held his first headlining sold-out dance concert at theSmart Araneta Coliseum with special guestsAngel 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, andJulia Montes. Before proving his dancing prowess in theKing of the Gil concert, Gil made his debut on radio dramaDear M.O.R. Special on My Only Radio (MOR) 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 andDarling ng Masa Eva Ronda.[36]
In 2014, he replacedKiko Estrada in the fantasy seriesMirabella[37] — the debut project ofJulia Barretto.[38][39] On February 26, the wattpad authorHaveYouSeenThisGirL admitted via Twitter that Gil was really supposed to be in the film adaptation ofDiary ng Panget but refused to say why it didn't push through.[40] On March 1, Gil launched his single "Do The Moves" withSarah Geronimo andapl.de.ap. Its youth-oriented music video was released on March 8.[41] On March 16, Gil confirmed that he would be part of the filmThe Trial as Martin, the best friend of Ronald (John Lloyd Cruz).[42] On May 18, Gil was named the "Most Promising Male Star of the Year" at the45th Box Office Entertainment Awards.[43] On June 25,Star Cinema announced that Gil alongsideLiza Soberano would lead the film adaptation of Kimberly Joy Villanueva's novelThe Bet.[44] On August 21, Gil took part inABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra's debut albumDecades of OPM together withAbra, doing their version of "Totoy Bibo."[45]
In October 2014, he played the lead role as the rebellious hotel company heir Alexander "Xander" Grande III, who falls in love with Maria Agnes Calay, played by Soberano in the hit romantic comedy television seriesForevermore, which marked a significant turning point in Gil's career.[46] The series finale scored a 39.3 percent rating, the highest recorded national TV rating on Philippine television in 2015.[47][48]
In June 2015, following the success ofForevermore and his tandem with actress Soberano, they starred in a movie based on theWattpad bookThe Bet. The film adaptation, initially titled as the same name as its source material was renamedJust The Way You Are.[49] Later that year, Gil starred in his follow-up movie with Soberano in the romantic filmEveryday I Love You withGerald Anderson, directed byMae Cruz-Alviar.[50] Gil plays Ethan, who falls in love withBacolod lass Audrey (Soberano), who is in a relationship with Tristan (Anderson).[51] Both 2015 films were box office successes.[52][53] On December 1, 2015, Gil received a star at thePhilippine Walk of Fame at Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City.[54]
In February 2016, Gil and Soberano returned toprime time with the romantic dramaDolce Amore, in which he played the role of Simon Vicente "TenTen" Ibarra, a poor and hardworkingManila boy who will do anything for his family.[55] In July 2016, Gil was the lead actor in the action filmDukot, which was based on a real kidnapping incident in the country. It was helmed by directorPaul Soriano and was co-produced by Star Cinema.[56] He won "Best Actor" in Gawad PASADO Awards for his acting performance.[57]
In 2017, Gil starred in the romantic comedy drama filmMy Ex and Whys opposite Liza Soberano, directed byCathy Garcia Molina, who had previously worked with them in the romantic comedy television seriesForevermore. The film was released in February 2017, grossing ₱31.5 million on its first day and won him theGMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Award for Box Office King.[58] The same year, he took the role Dex in the family comedy-drama filmSeven Sundays alongsideAga Muhlach,Ronaldo Valdez,Cristine Reyes, andDingdong Dantes.[59] Both films made the Top 10List of highest-grossing Filipino films in 2017.
In 2018, he was cast in the role of Lakas, a warrior in thetelevision drama andfantasy seriesBagani.[60] The show debuted at number 1 in its time slot, and consistently ranked ahead of its competition during its five-month run.[60]
In 2019, Gil and Soberano starred in the romantic drama film,Alone/Together, written and directed byAntoinette Jadaone. In the film, Gil played Rafael "Raf" Toledo, a University of Santo Tomas – Biology student and an avid fan ofThe Eraserheads turned doctor five years later.[61] The film made the Top 10List of highest-grossing Filipino films in 2019.
In 2020, Gil appeared with Soberano inMake It With You as Gabriel "Gabo" Villarica, a lost soul who finds himself in the small Eastern European country ofCroatia.[62] The show was later cancelled due to theCOVID-19 pandemic and thenetwork's franchise renewal issues which marked the end of the loveteam pairing with Soberano. ABS-CBN Films head Kriz Gazmen stated that although they pitched several projects to the duo and were about to "shoot something" (that was later scrapped following COVID case surges in the country at that time), "the timing was never right" and they “wanted to do something different” in their lives.[63][64]
In 2023, Gil signed an exclusive contract with ABS-CBN.[65] In 2024, Gil is returning to the big screen after a three-year hiatus withI Am Not Big Bird. Co-produced byANIMA Studios,Black Sheep, and the actor’s own production outfit Immerse Entertainment, the film also marked Gil’s first venture into film production. The film failed to helm box office hit and was pull out not later than two weeks in some cinemas.[66] This is Gil's flopped comeback project.[66][67][68]
In 2013, Gil joined thePETA campaign "FreeMali" to transfer her from theManila Zoo toBoon 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.[69] In the same year, Gil donated part of the proceeds of hisKing of the Gil concert to the victims ofTyphoon Haiyan, also known as Super Typhoon Yolanda.[70] In 2015, Gil alongside the cast ofForevermore participated inHoops for Hope: A Charity Basketball Game, a project organized by the Bakhita Canossa Foundation to sustain the construction of houses for the Yolanda victims at Brgy. But,Salcedo, Eastern Samar.[71][72] In July 2021, Gil and Soberano held a virtual fan meet to raise funds forSave the Children, a non-profit organization that advocates for children's rights and provides support for children in need.[73]
Gil released his own fragrance line in collaboration with the Filipino fragrance brandHKT Fragrances. A portion of the brand's sales went toShop & Share, a non-profit organization which aims to help underprivileged Filipinos get tested forCOVID-19.[74] In February 2021, Gil launchedHKT Essentials with Soberano,[75] and a portion of the brand's sales went toSave the Children, as well as to a relief program for barangay-level health workers.[76] In January 2022, Gil shared on hisInstagram story that he sold one of his house projects inBF Homes Parañaque through his real estate development businessGil Side Homes.[77] In a December 2019 interview withPEP.ph, Gil revealed that he has been into buying and selling of houses with his mother Barbara Anne Bacay.[78]
Gil dated hisGood Vibes co-starColeen Garcia from 2010 to 2011.[79]
In February 2019, he and his frequenton-screen partnerLiza Soberano publicly confirmed they had been a couple since October 24, 2014.[80] Gil and Soberano ended their relationship eight years later, in October 2022; however, it was only Soberano who confirmed the break-up in an unreleased interview in March 2023.[5]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | I Love Betty La Fea | Himself ― Ecomodel | Cameo | |
| Pieta | Harold | Guest | [12] | |
| 2009 | George and Cecil | Carlo Barredo | [12] | |
| 2010 | Shoutout! | Himself | Host | [21] |
| P.O.5 | Himself | Guest | ||
| Rosalka | Andrew | |||
| Maynila | Mark | Episode: "Dangerous Charade" | ||
| Mara Clara | Mara's Sweet Sixteen escort | Uncredited | ||
| 2010–present | ASAP | Himself | Host / Performer | [18] |
| 2011 | 100 Days to Heaven | Teen Bobby Ramirez | Special participation | |
| Good Vibes | Troy Cabrera | [23] | ||
| Mula sa Puso | Michael Miranda | [22] | ||
| Your Song | Jim | Your Song Presents: Kim | ||
| Shoutout!: Level Up | Himself | Performer | ||
| 2011–12 | Budoy | Benjamin "BJ" Maniego / Dimalanta / Chavez | ||
| 2012 | Maynila | Tim | Episode: "Star Collision" | |
| 2012–13 | Princess and I | Dasho Jan Alfonso "Jao" Rinpoche | ||
| 2013 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Juan Ponce Enrile | Episode: "Sapatos" | |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya | Juan Ponce Enrile | Episode: "Diploma" | ||
| Muling Buksan ang Puso | Francis Dela Vega / Francis B. Andrada | |||
| 2014 | Mirabella | Jeremy Palmera | ||
| 2014–15 | Forevermore | Alexander "Xander" Grande III | ||
| 2016 | Dolce Amore | Simon Vicente "Tenten" Ibarra | ||
| 2018 | Bagani | Lakas | [81] | |
| 2020 | Make It with You | Atty. Gabriel "Gabo" Villarica | [62] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Diego and His Brothers | Anton | Short film | [17] |
| Pitas | [82] | |||
| Till My Heartaches End | Jaco Barredo | [20] | ||
| 2011 | Way Back Home | Michael Estacio | [25] | |
| 2012 | The Reunion | Boggs Alvarez | [27] | |
| Amorosa: The Revenge | Rommel | [28] | ||
| The Strangers | Kirk | [29] | ||
| 2013 | Must Be... Love | Dave | Cameo | [83] |
| She's the One | David Esguerra | [32] | ||
| 2014 | The Trial | Martin Bien | [42] | |
| 2015 | Just the Way You Are | Drake Sison | [44] | |
| Everyday I Love You | Ethan Alfaro | |||
| 2016 | Dukot | Carlo Sandoval | [84] | |
| 2017 | My Ex and Whys | Sergio "Gio" Martinez | ||
| Seven Sundays | Dexter "Dex" Bonifacio | |||
| 2019 | Alone/Together | Rafael "Raf" Toledo | ||
| The Mall, The Merrier | Robohero | Cameo | ||
| 2024 | I Am Not Big Bird | Luis Carpio/Big Bird | First produced film | |
| Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital |
| Year | Title | Performer | Director | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Ako Na Lang | Zia Quizon | Nani Naguit and Pao Santiago Pangan | [85] |
| 2013 | Mr. Kupido | Myrtle Sarrosa | Vince Salumbides III | [86] |
| 2020 | Make It With You | Ben&Ben | Miko Pelino | [87][88] |
1 Theme song forShe's The One |
1 Together withDaniel Padilla andKhalil Ramos | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
