Valerie Garcia

Valerie "Bangs" Pablo Garcia-Birchmore (; born May 26, 1987) is a Filipino-British former model and actress.

Early life and education Garcia attended Ateneo de Davao University, where she was part of the university's theater and dance groups. While studying for a Nursing degree, she participated in the Mindanao-wide talent search Campus Idols, in 2004, and was awarded a co-hosting stint in ABS-CBN Channel 4 Davao's local variety show KSP: Kapamilya Sabado Party.

Career In 2005, upon the invitation of Close-Up, who was a major sponsor of Campus Idols; Garcia joined ABS-CBN's Close-Up To Fame talent search, where she finished a runner-up. In the same year, she appeared as the best friend of Cindy Kurleto's Greta in Daddy Di Do Du. She also auditioned for Let's Go! and the first teen-edition of Pinoy Big Brother, eventually choosing the sitcom over the reality show.

Garcia was a series regular on Let's Go! and its final season, renamed Gokada Go!, where she played the emo chick Bangs. Originally credited using her real name, her character in the sitcom eventually gave birth to her screen name.

In 2009, Garcia played leading lady to Jake Cuenca's titular Palos and appeared in TV shows Katorse and Kambal sa Uma and in films Marino and Shake, Rattle & Roll XI.

In the second season of Midnight DJ, she portrayed Samantha "Samgirl"introduced as the Midnight DJ team's researcher, resident psychic and romantic interest to Oyo Sotto's SamboyGarcia had to leave show upon landing a lead role in Magkano ang Iyong Dangal?, taking over Roxanne Guinoo.

She appeared in the horror films Bulong and Segunda Mano, both in 2011, and was awarded Best Supporting Actress in the 2011 PASADO Awards for her performance in latter film.

Garcia played the titular character in the period drama psychological thriller Lauriana in 2013 and was awarded Best Actress in the PASADO Awards following year.

Personal life In 2016, Garcia married British-Filipino businessman Lloyd Birchmore in London. They had another ceremony in Boracay in 2017. She regained her Filipino citizenship in July 2026.

Filmography Television Year Title Role Notes Source 2005 KSP: Kapamilya Sabado Party Herself ― host Credited as "Val Garcia" 2006–07 Let's Go! Bangs Credited as "Valerie Garcia" 2007 Your Song Angie Episode: "What Are the Chances" 2007–14 ASAP Herself / Performer 2007 Lastikman Angie Credited as "Valerie Garcia" Maalaala Mo Kaya Sheila Episode: "Cellphone" Laura's cousin Episode: "Larawan" Gokada Go! Bangs 2008 Palos Sylvia 2009 Kambal sa Uma Ynez Ocampo Katorse Shakira 2009–10 Precious Hearts Romances Presents: My Cheating Heart Arlyn Peralta 2010 Midnight DJ Samgirl Magkano ang Iyong Dangal? Carmela 2010–11 Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Kristine Diana Montero 2012 Hiyas Salve Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo Mia Pedroso 2012–13 Luv U Jessica Casimsiman 2014 The Legal Wife Young Sandra de Villa Dyesebel Prinsesa Coralia 2015 Mac & Chiz Apple Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal Herself - Briefcase Number 20 2016 Ang Panday Ida / Venus Virus 2017 Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin young Victoria Quintana-Dela Vega

Film Year Title Role Notes Source 2007 Sponge Cola: Movie Videostore Dream Girl Video short 2009 Marino Aya Shake, Rattle & Roll XI Chari Segment: "Lamanglupa" 2010 Cinco Rowena Segment: "Puso" 2011 Bulong Ellen Segunda Mano Anna 2012 Posas Grace Resuello The Reunion Shirley Migrante Coming Soon 2013 Burgos Lauriana Lauriana Sabine Sabine 2014 So It's You Rose 2015 Baka Siguro Yata Melissa Credited as "Valerie "Bangs" Garcia" No Boyfriend Since Birth Hannah Manila's Finest Miriam de Dios El Brujo 2016 Dukot Girlie

Awards and nominations Year Work Organization Category Result Source 2012 Segunda Mano PASADO Awards Best Supporting Actress 2014 Lauriana Best Actress 2015 Baka Siguro Yata Cinema One Originals Best Actress