Enrique Gil: No overnight sensation

By Gerry Plaza

No one could ignore this dashing, talented hunk when he first set foot on ABS-CBN in 2007.

Yet, he also happened to be just another cute guy from a TV commercial when the Kapamilya network decided to take him in as part of its Star Magic Circle.

Seven years later, he is now one of the premier talents of the network and one of the most popular matinee idols in the industry. Indeed, Enrique Gil was no overnight sensation. He patiently rose from the ranks of the network’s immense talent pool.

Waiting for his big break

His first three years in the industry saw a promising actor waiting for his big break.

Enrique first starred in bit roles in the primetime hit “I Love Betty La Fea” and the afternoon drama “Pieta.” Although he was given a project to showcase his performance skills in “ShoutOut” and “ASAP” as a host, Enrique was still an unnamed face in the first Kathryn Bernardo-Julia Montes starrer, the remake of “Mara Clara,” taking the role of Mara’s debut escort.

Enrique also settled for secondary roles in the extended cast of “George and Cecil,” the Judy Ann Santos-Ryan Agoncillo primetime rom-com, and “Rosalka,” the afternoon tearjerker starring Empress Schuck and Matt Evans.
He also appeared in movies such as “Till My Heartaches End.”

Promise

Despite his forgettable roles in these projects, he proved to be hardworking and showcased his versatility as a performer.

After four years, the big break finally came for the 19-year-old actor—headlining the remake of the unforgettable ABS-CBN teleserye “Mula sa Puso,” in which he reprised the role Diether Ocampo portrayed 14 years earlier as Michael, the childhood friend and unrequited lover of the protagonist Via (played by Lauren Young).

The early evening drama finally made Enrique a household name.

Everyone took notice of this Yahoo Celebrity Breakthrough Actor of 2012 because of the depth in his acting. He also exuded an aura reminiscent of matinee idols of cinema’s golden years, while doing those killer dance moves.

Big impact

He continued making a big impact on primetime viewers with his portrayal of Gerald Anderson’s foster brother in “Budoy.”

He was hailed as the enamored anti-hero, making his character identifiable and believable as he endured both triumphs and setbacks to the gruesome end.

He also starred in Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes’s major film, “Way Back Home” and the rom-com “The Reunion” together with Xian Lim, Enchong Dee, Kean Cipriano, Jessy Mendiola, Megan Young and Julia Montes.

In both films, he stood out not only by being distinctively romantic, but by how much the camera loves him projected up on the silver screen.

Clearly, it was Enrique’s time to shine. He then became part of the main cast of the Kathryn Bernardo-Daniel Padilla primetime fantasy drama “Princess and I,” which further stamped his claim to being the young actor of the moment.

Multimedia star

In 2013, Enrique became a multimedia star, with the launch of his CD “King of the Gil,” which led to a jampacked dance concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the top rating primetime TV run of his first role as main protagonist in “Muling Buksan ang Puso” opposite Julia Montes, and the film “She’s the One,” in which he got marquee status along with Bea Alonzo and Dingdong Dantes.

Enrique continued his streak this year with another TV drama hit, “Mirabella,” in which he became Julia Barretto’s main love interest. After this pairing, however, Enrique is set to embark on a new phase in career, engaging in a full-fledged love team with newcomer Liza Soberano.

The tandem appears in their first romance series “Forevermore,” another take on the rich guy-poor girl trope. They will also star in the movie “The Bet,” based yet again on a hit novel in the writing community site Wattpad.

Greater heights

How this partnership will affect Enrique’s career remains to be seen.

But, with the effort and attention he and his new partner are getting from ABS-CBN and his own passion for his craft, we are confident Enrique can only reach greater heights.

I’m sure that with long road he took to reach where he is right now, Enrique Gil cannot aim for anything less.