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BB Gandanghari

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Rommel Padilla, Robin Padilla, or Ricarte Padilla.

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Cariño and the surname or paternal family name is Padilla.
In this article, the surname is Gandanghari.
BB Gandanghari
Born (1967-09-04) September 4, 1967 (age 58)
Other namesRustom Padilla (1990–2009)
Citizenship
  • Philippines
  • United States[1]
Alma mater
Occupations
Years active1990–present
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1994; ann. 2002)​
Parents
FamilyPadilla family
Website[1]

Binibini "BB" Gandanghari (Tagalog pronunciation: [paˈdɪl.ja]; formerly Rustom Padilla; born September 4, 1967) is a Filipino-American[1] actress, model, entertainer, comedian, and director.

She is the elder sibling of Robin Padilla and the younger sibling of Royette and Rommel Padilla, all of whom are actors. Gandanghari enjoyed success in Philippine films in the early 1990s (as "Rustom Padilla"), before taking a hiatus in 2001.

She returned to prominence in 2006 when she joined the Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition where she came out as a gay male after 44 days. She would later came out as a transgender woman in 2009 when she adopted her current name and became an American citizen in 2022.

Early life and education

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Binibini Gandanghari was born on September 4, 1967[2] to Casimiro Bustamante Padilla, a film director and Lolita Eva (née Cariño) who was also an actress. She has seven siblings: three brothers and four sisters.[3] Gandanghari is assigned male at birth and went by the given name, Rustom, prior to transitioning in 2009.

Gandanghari holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Saint Louis University in Baguio, Philippines and studied filmmaking at University of California Los Angeles in 2010.[4][5] She finished Bachelor of Science in Entertainment Business in 2025.[6]

Career

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Gandanghari entered show business as a matinee idol and later as an action star. She was also the presenter of Philippine franchise for Wheel of Fortune on ABC. After her hosting stint, Gandanghari left the Philippines and studied film making in the United States. Gandanghari appeared in the film adaptation of the comic book Zsazsa Zaturnnah (her first film role as a gay man) as the gay salon owner Ada (Adrian), the alter ego of Zsazsa Zaturnnah. She appeared in the television series La Vendetta on GMA and the Happy Hearts, later appearing on the ABS-CBN teleserye, Eva Fonda.

In 2006, Gandanghari became one of the 14 housemates in Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition. On March 2, 2006, she came out as gay on the show.[7] On day 45 of the competition, Gandanghari opted to voluntarily leave the house.

In 2009, Gandanghari hosted the National Kidlat Awards on the resort island of Boracay in Malay, Aklan. She appeared again in SRO Cinema Serye: Rowena Joy. In September 2017, Gandanghari signed with the Brogan Agency in Venice, California.[8]

On 9 August 2019, she made her American television debut in the Netflix series GLOW, where she played a clairvoyant named Patricia in the eighth episode of the series' third season.[9]

Personal life

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She, her mother, Robin, and three siblings were raised as Roman Catholics and later converted to the Jehovah Witness religion in 1985.[10]

Former marriage

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Padilla and actress Carmina Villarroel started relationship on June 24, 1992.[11] They married on June 4, 1994, in a civil ceremony in Caloocan. They separated in September 1997 and Villarroel filed for annulment within the same year, which was formally granted by the Court of Pasig in June 2002.[12][13][14][15]

Gender identity

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In January 2009, Gandanghari came out as a transgender woman and chose to undergo gender confirmation surgery.[16][17] Her brother Robin Padilla at first fully accepted the decision, but later recanted his earlier statements and admitted that he was still shocked and not on good terms with her. Their mother, and all of Gandanghari's other siblings continue to address her by her former male deadname, Rustom.[18]

Gandanghari originally used the name Patricia Padilla but later sourced her newfound name from an art student in University of Santo Tomas whose actual name was Ganda—Hari. She later altered this name which is derived from the Filipino words:

  • Bb. — (abbreviation of Binibini, an honorific equivalent to "Maiden")
  • Gandanghari — a portmanteau combination of the words ganda (beauty) and hari (royalty, kingship)

She also uses the word "Bb." refers to the saying "'Be' all that you can 'be'".[19][20]

The Superior Court of California in Orange County approved both her legal name and gender in 2016. She previously worked as a bookkeeper for a debt collection agency.[21] In 2017, Gandanghari reportedly obtained employment as a driver for Uber and later as a caregiver for elderly in the United States.[22]

In 2022, she became a citizen of the United States[1] while her current name is also recognized on her U.S. passport.[23]

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1986–1993 Lunch Date Herself/host As Rustom Padilla
1992–1997 Valiente Doctor Albert Rosales
1992–1994 17 Bernard Club Herself
1993 GMA Telesine Specials
1994 Spotlight Drama Special
Star Drama Theater Presents: Carmina Guest Episode title: Magkasuyo
1997 Star Drama Theater Presents: Camille Guest Episode title: Ang Daya Mo
1997–1999 Wansapanataym Various roles
1999–2000 Pintados Doctor Virus
1999–2001 Saan Ka Man Naroroon Alex
2001 Wheel of Fortune Herself
2007–2008 La Vendetta Alfie Camba
2008–2009 Eva Fonda Patricia "Patty" Rosal As BB Gandanghari
2009 SRO Cinemaserye: Rowena Joy Frannie
2009–2010 Cool Center Herself
2012–2013 Enchanted Garden Queen Michiko / Helfora
2015 2½ Daddies Evangelio "Eva" Pastoran / Gelo Pastoran
2019 GLOW [24] Patricia
2022 Metro Manila Film Festival Gabi ng Parangal Herself/host

Film

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  • Onyong Majikero (1991)
  • Magnong Rehas (1992)
  • Narito ang Puso Ko (1992)
  • Ngayon at Kailanman (1992)
  • Hanggang Saan Hanggang Kailan (1993)
  • Kapag Iginuhit ang Hatol ng Puso (1993)
  • Gagay: Prinsesa ng Brownout (1993)
  • Ikaw (1993)
  • Kadenang Bulaklak (1994)
  • Brat Pack (1994)
  • Hindi Magbabago (1994)
  • Mistah (1994)
  • Mars Ravelo's Darna! Ang Pagbabalik (1994)
  • Marami Ka Pang Kakaining Bigas (1994)
  • Sana Dalawa ang Puso Ko (1995)
  • The Jessica Alfaro Story (1995)
  • Maruja (1996)
  • Bilang Na ang Araw Mo (1996)
  • Paano Kung Wala Ka Na (1997)
  • Abuso: Case #6433 (1997)
  • Walang Katapusang Init (1998)
  • Ganito Na Akong Magmahal (1998)
  • May Isang Pamilya (1999)
  • Ako'y Ibigin Mo ... Lalaking Matapang (1999)
  • Bilib Ako Sa'yo (1999)
  • Ganito Ako Magmahal (1999)
  • Yamashita: The Tiger's Treasure (2001)
  • Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah, ze Moveeh (2006)
  • Happy Hearts (2007)

References

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  1. ^ a b c "'Officially American': BB Gandanghari gets US citizenship". Rappler. May 5, 2022. Archived from the original on May 5, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  2. ^ Serato, Arniel (September 5, 2016). "BB Gandanghari posts sexy photo to celebrate '#almostgolden' birthday". PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  3. ^ bio Archived July 6, 2017, at the Wayback Machine. Robinpadilla.net. Retrieved on August 17, 2012.
  4. ^ Llemit, Kathleen A. (July 13, 2025). "BB Gandanghari graduates summa cum laude with second degree". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on July 15, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  5. ^ "BB Gandanghari, nagre-recover pa sa bullying". Balita. March 24, 2019. Archived from the original on April 22, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  6. ^ Villanueva, Angelica (July 14, 2025). "BB Gandanghari graduates summa cum laude". Manila Standard. Archived from the original on July 14, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  7. ^ "Rustom finds his way home". Asian Journal Online. October 11, 2007. Archived from the original on December 2, 2007. Retrieved November 9, 2007.
  8. ^ "BB Gandanghari signs with U.S.-based talent agency". CNN Philippines. September 14, 2017. Archived from the original on August 13, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  9. ^ "BB Gandanghari appears in Netflix show 'Glow'". CNN Philippines. August 12, 2019. Archived from the original on August 13, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  10. ^ Lo, Ricky (April 2, 2000). "Rustom Padilla: Living Alone And Living Well". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on February 10, 2025. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
  11. ^ Siazon, Rachelle (June 23, 2020). "BB Gandanghari recalls how gay rumor tested Rustom Padilla's relationship with Carmina Villarroel". PEP. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  12. ^ Serato, Arnel C. (June 15, 2022). "BB Gandanghari offers condolences to Carmina Villarroel". PEP. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  13. ^ Siazon, Rachelle (December 1, 2020). "Showbiz history: The coming-out story of BB Gandanghari". PEP. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  14. ^ "LIST: Filipino celebrity couples whose marriages were annulled". Rappler. June 10, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  15. ^ "Carmina and Rustom's marriage annulled". The Philippine Star. June 21, 2001. Archived from the original on October 3, 2024. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
  16. ^ "Group backs Bebe Gandanghari's reported sex change plan". ABS-CBN. April 21, 2010. Archived from the original on October 1, 2012. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  17. ^ Showbiz Transformations 2: Of Looking Better and Gender Benders Archived March 22, 2019, at the Wayback Machine. Pep.ph (June 16, 2008). Retrieved on 2012-08-17.
  18. ^ Robin Padilla and his brothers still in "state of shock" over BB Gandanghari; still calls BB "Rustom". Pep.ph. Retrieved on August 17, 2012.
  19. ^ Salanga, Elyas Isabelo L. (January 18, 2009). Rustom Padilla is now Bebe Gandanghari (archived) PEP.Ph
  20. ^ Franco, Berni (January 19, 2009). "Good-bye Rustom Padilla, Hello Bebe Gandanghari" (in Tagalog). ABS-CBN.com. Archived from the original on February 23, 2009. Retrieved January 19, 2009.
  21. ^ "BB Gandanghari bids goodbye to Rustom Padilla". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on February 6, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  22. ^ Staff Report (December 7, 2017). "BB Gandanghari is now Uber driver in US". The Filipino Times. Archived from the original on February 6, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  23. ^ Gabinete, Jojo (December 24, 2022). "BB Gandanghari, kaabang-abang ang mga pasabog sa Gabi ng Parangal ng MMFF 2022". PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Archived from the original on December 25, 2022. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  24. ^ "BB Gandanghari appears in Netflix show 'Glow'". ABS-CBN Corporation. August 13, 2019. Archived from the original on August 13, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
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