Gabbi and Ruru slowly working their way up

GABBI Garcia (left) and Ruru Madrid

FOR INDUSTRY newbies, there is probably no comment more commonly heard than “Da who?”—a slang used mockingly by show biz observers to describe fledglings who have yet to make blips on their radars.

Gabbi Garcia and her recurrent screen partner, Ruru Madrid, are no strangers to being called such, they admitted. But the young actors aren’t bothered by it; they would rather treat the snide remark as a challenge.

“I do not mind, even if I am called a starlet, because it is true. I have not achieved anything of note yet, and I humbly accept that. It just means that I have an opportunity to prove myself,” Gabbi told a group of reporters in a recent interview for “Naku, Boss Ko!,” an eight-part GMA 7 series that mixes romantic comedy and political satire (weekdays, starting April 25).

“It has been my habit to read tweets. And when I come across a comment that is below the belt, I ignore. But when I see that it is constructive, I take note,” added the 17-year-old Kapuso talent, who landed her first lead role for TV last year in “Let the Love Begin.”

The bashing was especially vicious in social media, shortly after Gabbi and Ruru were announced as cast members of the 2016 remake of the fantasy series, “Encantadia,” earlier this month.

“When I logged in on Twitter, I saw that Ybarro, my character’s name, was trending. Hurtful words were being thrown at us. But I choose to channel that negativity into something that can inspire me,” Ruru said. “I want to show that I am deserving.”

But no rush, stressed Gabbi—“it is better to work on your goals slowly, surely.” And as far as the love team is concerned, she believes that she and Ruru are starting to make viewers take notice. “We still have to earn the respect of people, but I am grateful that there are fans who want to see us work together,” she said.

Ruru, 18, added: “We are happy—we did not have a project together for six months, but  now, we have two shows to look forward to…If we give our best, I think we’d get good results.”

High school grads

While the two young artists are determined to work their way up, finishing their studies is still something at the back of their heads. Both are high school graduates—Gabbi from St. Paul’s College in Pasig; Ruru from National Christian Life College in Marikina—and would love to enter college in the future.

“Education is something that can’t be stolen. I want to enroll at a regular university, not just an online one,” said Gabbi, who has always dreamed of becoming a pilot.

Ruru, on the other hand, pointed out that being in show biz isn’t something permanent. And so, given the chance—and time—he would like to study filmmaking at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. “It is my dream to direct a movie, too,” he related.

In “Naku,” which lampoons the behind-the-scenes happenings during an election campaign, Gabbi is Che, an activist who ironically falls for Jon G (Ruru), a reluctant mayoralty candidate and son of a known trapo.

“This is a nice way to get young people to learn about current events and issues, because there is a rom-com element to it, Gabbi said.

Directed by Marlon Rivera, the show also features Tessie Tomas and Leo Martinez.

“It is an honor to be with veteran stars like them,” Ruru said. “We learn a lot as we go along.”