BB Gandanghari

Career 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. 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.

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.

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

Former marriage Padilla and actress Carmina Villarroel started relationship on June 24, 1992. 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.

Gender identity In January 2009, Gandanghari came out as a transgender woman and chose to undergo gender confirmation surgery. 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.

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'".

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. In 2017, Gandanghari reportedly obtained employment as a driver for Uber and later as a caregiver for elderly in the United States.

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

Filmography

Television 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" RosalAs BB Gandanghari 2009SRO Cinemaserye: Rowena Joy Frannie 2009–2010 Cool Center Herself 2012–2013 Enchanted Garden Queen Michiko / Helfora 20152½ Daddies Evangelio "Eva" Pastoran / Gelo Pastoran 2019 GLOW Patricia 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival Gabi ng Parangal Herself/host

Film 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)