PNS — THE GMA Artist Center continues to build up talents in their stable. One promising host-actor they have is Gino de la Peña, who got noticed for the McDonald’s El Bimbo TV commercial. After that, PLDTmyDSL got him to be one of their endorsers-hosts along with Rhian Ramos and Stephanie Henares. He now hosts Q Channel 11’s new lifestyle show, “X-Life,” along with Steph Henares and JC Tiuseco, shown Wednesdays at 10 p.m. Gino is a good example of someone from a dysfunctional family who still made good despite the odds. The 3rd in a brood of four and born on October 27, 1986, he was 11 when his parents broke up. “My dad was into drugs and he had to undergo rehab,” he says. “My mom raised us by herself with the help of my lolo. There was a time na may galit ako because of what happened, but I didn’t rebel. Lahat kami, nakatapos ng college. I majored in entrepreneurial management at Thames College before I joined showbiz.”
How’s his dad now? “Parang miracle, when I became a Christian, he just suddenly stopped doing drugs. He now lives with his sister at sana nga, magkabalikan pa sila ng mom ko.”
He’s open to acting. “I already did supporting roles in ‘Dyesebel’, ‘Rosalinda’, and now, in ‘Basahang Ginto’ as the best friend of Geoff Eigenmann. My longest role was in ‘Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit’ as best friend of Wendell Ramos. Lagi akong best friend.”
Is he on with Steph? “No, we’re just good friends. Right now, we’re both more focused on our work. I’ve had three steadies before. The longest was my high school girlfriend. More than three years kami but we grew apart. I’ve had two other steadies since then, months lang tumagal, and they both dumped me for the same guy.”
As “X-Life” host, he gets to travel around the country. “We just came from Danao in Bohol where we took a 200 meter plunge, parang bungee jumping. But our most difficult stint was in Camp Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija where we became soldiers for a day, we did their obstacle course, binitin kami sa puno, crossed a river without a boat and got to shoot various rifles and machine guns. Kami ng co-hosts ko ang sumuko sa pagod. This Sunday will be “X Life Wellness Day” starting 12 noon at Eastwood Mall. Sign up and get a lot of freebies, including free massage, free health and diet consultation so don’t miss it.”
As a member of New Life Christian Center, Gino attributes the blessings he now receives from the Lord. “Our talents are a gift from God and I want to use them well to show I’m grateful to what He has done for me.”