It’s a different level of dedication that Khalil Ramos has for girlfriend Gabbi Garcia. He continues to send her updates via text message even if she has no phone access while inside the Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) house.
Gabbi is one of the hosts of PBB’s Collab edition, the very first collaboration between GMA and ABS-CBN and their artists in the popular TV reality show. Since March 22, Saturday, and like what was experienced by the previous hosts, Gabbi was surprisingly given the task to enter and stay in the PBB House.
This is already the longest period that they won’t have any form of communication, says her boyfriend Khalil. While they’re used to being physically apart due to their different filming locations, this is the first time for them to not have any communication at all. May it be borne out of habit or an intentional continuation of their endearing attachment to each other, Khalil makes up for their distance by still sending updates. “A day ago I went thrift shopping. Nagsi-send pa din ako ng pictures sa kanya of some things which I think she will like,” he shares.
Khalil and Gabbi are already 8 years together. More than half of his 13-year showbiz career was spent with Gabbi by his side. This is how challenging Gabbi’s stint in the PBB is for him as she obediently abides by the show’s strict mandate of total disconnection from the outside world.
However for Khalil, he is all support for this milestone in his girlfriend’s life. “She really wanted this. Even ‘nung ‘di pa officially announced and naririnig pa lang namin na magkakaroon ng collab between Star Magic and Sparkle artists for a PBB season, minanifest na niya. She said to herself, ‘I will host this PBB’. And she got it,” Khalil reveals. To recall, Gabbi also auditioned for an earlier season of the reality show and her inclusion as host is a full circle moment.
Khalil and Gabbi’s almost a decade romantic relationship is unmarked with controversies, a fact unusual for most showbiz couples. What is the secret ingredient? Khalil owes this to their complementing personalities, non-stop assurances, and that conscious decision to not do anything wrong to spoil their steady connection.
The length of Gabbi’s stay in the PBB house remains uncertain. Co-host Mavy Legazpi stayed for 5 nights. Khalil has no idea either. But he is excited for the next phase of both their careers and their onscreen and offscreen partnership via a Netflix-produced movie.
The couple will star in ‘How To Cheat Death’, a series about two people who gained the power to see the future after getting struck by lighting at the same time. They then begin to use their abilities to help cheat death. This is the first movie for the lovers and Khalil is excited to do promotions for their film, hoping that Gabbi will exit the PBB house in time for the marketing efforts. ‘How To Cheat Death’ will be in the streaming platform this April.
Keeping himself busy also helps, Khalil said. Last week, he just took home the Best Actor trophy for the Puregold Cinepanalo Film Festival entry ‘Olsen’s Day’. His award-winning performance was filmed at the same period where he was preparing for what is now another praised performance — this time on stage with the musical ‘Liwanag Sa Dilim’.
The 29 year-old actor maintains his openness also to finally propose marriage to Gabbi. But he said he wants them to fill their souls with satisfaction in their thriving careers first, before they would start a new chapter in their life partnership —another show of dedication for his chosen partner which he expresses regularly by sending messages… even if he knows she can’t read them yet.