Sometimes, life’s journey takes us full circle, guiding us back to where we truly belong.
T.E.A.M. talent Pearl Gonzales is now making a name for herself as TV5’s budding Bida Kontrabida, convincing viewers with her effective acting skills. For Pearl, this has been a perfect illustration that even after exploring different paths like pageantry, she found her way back to her passion for acting. Luckily, it’s an arena where she continues to grow and shine these days.
With barely any makeup on, Pearl Gonzales still looked radiant when she faced the press for a pocket interview.
Pearl’s journey in showbiz began back in 2013 when she started with Star Magic. “Nag-start ako, ang tagal na, way back 2013, I think, with Star Magic, for I think 3 years din,” she recalled. Asked who her batchmates were. “Sa Star Magic, si Hope, Liza Soberano, lagi kong katabi sa workshops ‘yan and sina Koreen Medina and Ganiel Krishnan [now a TV Patrol reporter],” she shared.
Her longing for new experiences led her to beauty pageants. “Nag-beauty pageant ako. I joined Miss Global Philippines. I am your Miss Global Philippines 2018. And I also joined Miss Universe Philippines 2023 where I represented Quezon City,” she said proudly. These stints taught her valuable lessons about industry camaraderie. “Ibang industry lang parehas nasa limelight. Siguro mas marami ka lang kailangan pakisamahan sa beauty pageant unlike sa showbiz na same production nga lang din minsan yung mga makakatrabaho mo.”
Despite the diversions, her heart always longed to return to acting. “Yeah, parang lahat naman kami madami talagang pagdadaang auditions,” she admitted, when asked about her audition experiences. She endured the early struggles with resilience, always keeping her eyes on her true passion. Her persistence paid off when she was given renewed opportunities, thanks to her current projects under MQuest and TV5. “More on microdrama series. ‘Yun kasi ‘yung nauuso ngayon, ‘yung mga vertical series,” she explained.
Her renewed dedication to her craft deepened her love for acting. “Well, siguro ‘yung natutunan ko na pag mas love mo pala yung craft mo like acting, hindi mo lang siya parang basta-basta gagawin for the sake of sabihin natin fame, gusto mo lang makilala, you’re doing it because you really love doing it,” she shared. It was during her return to TV that she was unexpectedly dubbed TV5’s Bida Kontrabida Queen, a title that surprised her. “Actually, nagulat ako eh. Wala akong idea kasi nung nabansagan akong ganyan. It was during our promo for I See You nung tinawag nila akong bida kontrabida. S’yempre grateful na na-acknowledge ka na gano’n na possible kang maging bida and at the same time kontrabida.”
Her acting style continues to evolve as she learns from veteran actors. “I worked with some veteran actors like Dimples Romana, Joem Bascon, Cedrick Juan, Zion Cruz, and Mama Glenda. Actually inaaral ko, parang pinapanood ko sila kung paano sila umarte. So parang from there natututo ka na ‘Ah so ganun pala yung nuance.’ So s’yempre, you have to make your own trademark when it comes to that,” she said.
Moving forward, Pearl dreams of working with industry icons such as Maricel Soriano, Judy Ann Santos, Dawn Zulueta, Jean Garcia, and John Arcilla. She also has a playful wish—to work with her crush Enrique Gil in a romcom, jokingly adding, “Huwag niyo po ako iba-bash!”
Her popularity as a kontrabida has been rapid. “Actually, hindi ako makapaniwala na may bansag na ganun kabilis nga. Kasi usually parang for me yung mga nababansagan na ganun yung talagang alam mo yung matagal na at sunud-sunod na rin. Well, sila naman ang nagbansag noon so sila nakakakita noon,” she said humbly, grateful for the recognition. She admitted that she’s still surprised by how quickly she earned the title, but she’s proud of her growth.
In the future, Pearl hopes to take on more challenging roles, especially in the heavy drama genre. “Dream project ko, heavy drama kasi parang nagawa ko na thriller, comedy, romcom, so heavy drama. Parang ‘yun ung gusto kong i-explore.” Her ambition is clear — she wants to be recognized not just as a villain or kontrabida, but as a versatile actress who can handle various genres.
While she’s making waves in showbiz, Pearl remains grounded in her values. She speaks openly about her relationships and how she manages criticisms. “Unang-una wala kaming relationship. Friend lang siya talaga. He’s a good friend of mine,” she clarified about rumors linking her to Paolo Contis. She also handles bashing with maturity, saying, “I handle it by not reading or engaging. As much as possible, iba-block ko nga agad,” showing her awareness of how to protect her peace.
Her personal philosophy guides her every step. She envisions herself thriving in the industry in five years’ time. “Siguro five years from now, kilalang-kilala na talaga si Pearl Gonzales sa pag-arte. ‘Yung naaacknowledge pa siya and mas umuusbong at dumadami ‘yung mga projects,” she shared her wish confidently. She believes her focus on her craft and faith in her prayers are what will sustain her success. “So five years from now, siguro successful in what I do,” she affirmed, with a hopeful smile.
Though she acknowledges she has suitors in showbiz, she chooses to prioritize her career right now. Her manager, Tyronne, jokingly teased, “Too many to mention!” to which Pearl laughed and responded when asked about it, “Meron naman pero kinakaibigan ko na lang sila eh. Parang kasi ngayon talaga hindi siya ‘yung focus. Parang least talaga siya ng priority ko kasi it used to be my number one priority kaya nawala ako sa eksena for years. Kaya now, parang comeback. So ganun pala yun. Parang you have to choose. Some people are blessed to have both. Some people kailangan pumili lang.”
When asked if she might join pageants again, her answer is nuanced. “Hindi ko sasabihin never,” she said, “But she chooses acting for now. ‘Yun nga, nilalagay ko muna yung focus ko dun.”
Pearl wants to be remembered not just as an actress, but as someone who is kind and genuine. “Makilala siya na hindi lang siya actress, mabuti din siyang tao, kaibigan,” she emphasized. Her experiences with industry veterans like Ate Dimples Romana have been impactful. “I really love Ate Dimples. I learned a lot of wisdom and advice from her noong shinu-shoot namin yung I See You. So, there’s one thing I’ve learned from her is hindi daw siya nag–engage sa chismis sa prod. S’yempre hindi maiiwasan yung chismis minsan sa production, mga ganyan-ganyan, mga chismis sa buhay ng mga co-artist or iba pang tao doon. Sabi niya, parang sa tagal niya sa industry, never siyang nag-engage sa mga ganon kasi for her, it’s bad luck, parang bad juju,” Pearl shared, emphasizing her strict stance against negativity.
Currently, Pearl just completed shooting for Boys Love Triangle, an upcoming series produced by MQuest and White Space. She made an appeal to everyone, “I’m inviting everyone to please watch I See You. Nasa Cignal Play app siya. You have to download the app first and then subscribe. ‘Yung full episode, mapapanood for just Php20, gano’n siya kamura. Full 46 episodes yun. And ‘yung BL din will be released, I’m not really sure kung tama yung date ko—first week of September or end of August, yun. Same din, Cignal Play din. So, yun po, panoorin niyo, guys.”
