The current social strata has enormously influenced and generously accorded the new breed of young adults with limitless possibilities of expression while offering potentially diverse opportunities and intellectual growth. The media, in particular, has increasingly affected the youth, especially teenage girls, on their views about personal image, career standards, fashion sense, and related stuffs.
In our midst a young Fil-Am is slowly inching her way to the top via her innate vocal and potential modeling talents. Despite stiff competition in today’s entertainment arena, this promising singer-model is starting to carve her niche and gradually stamps her mark in the field she has lived to love and enjoy.
Meet Aries-born Gail Banawis, only child born to Gilray Dizon Banawis and Janette Dinoy Bongon. ‘Though born on April Fool’s Day, Gail isn’t somebody who could easily be fooled for she’s gifted with loads of talent and tons of practical know-how.
A born leader with assertive masculine energy that cannot be just corralled into being a sweet girl, Gail is equipped with multi-personality expressions and a good sense of style, independent with a strong sense of self-control and a subservient child with disciplined acts and restrained passive emotions.
According to her mom, Janette, gail started to exhibit her singing prowess when she was barely three years old that she could already mimic Celine Dion, Britney Spears, and Back Street Boys. Janette knew right there and then that her baby is destined to be a vocal entertainer.
Gail’s maiden public appearance as a singer was when she was 8 in a school program and closely followed when she was in middle school at PS 83 in the Bronx. The latter has a funny incident attached to it.
During an audition for a major school play, Gail was made to read a script which was something strange to her. Not having able to deliver as expected, she went out of the room crying…not only because she didn’t get the part but simply because she was put in an inevitably compromising situation. Her mom, who was waiting in the car, sent her back to the audition room to request the audition master to allow her to sing…just so to prove her vocal skill. She sang Jordin Spark’s “Tattoo” with mustered confidence and voila, she was in! Although unable to snatch the lead role but being a supporting cast was more than enough to sufficiently make up for her near desperation.
Grabbing all possible exposures without leaving a single medium untried, Gail has had her enviable appearances in the popular children show Sesame Street in two episodes and in Noggin/Nick Jr.’s Dan Zanes: Music Videos “All Around the Kitchen” and “House Party Time” which could be both viewed on YouTube.
Her inclination to singing grew more intense every passing year that at the La Guardia High School of Music & Arts and Performing Arts where she’s a senior, Gail has particularly favored the song “Halleluiah” for bringing her luck to be able to snatch one of the twenty spots from among the more than 5,000 who auditioned.
In La Guardia High, where the story of the 1980 American drama-musical film “Fame” was based, Gail is an active member of the Women’s Chorus and Show Choir where she’s given solo spots and highlights.
In this connection, Gail has performed at “Don’t Tell Mama” in 2013, at the Carnegie Hall for TOFA-NY in 2012, Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Kaye Playhouse, Six Flags, and practically in almost all Filipino-American events in the tri-state area.
She has accomplishedly front-acted for Side A & KZ Tandingan Live in Concert, Arnel Pineda, Gabby Concepcion, Piolo Pascual, Rachel Alejandro, KC Concepcion, the Dabarkads Jose Manalo & Wally Bayola, and just recently, for romantic singer David Pomeranz.
Following her laudable talent and enticing beauty are due recognitions and awards like PAFCOM Pinoy Idol Grand Champion in 2011, Knights of Rizal Youth Achiever (2011), PAFCOM Bb. Pilipinas 2013, Outstanding Professional Achievement as Filipino-American Artist from the Philippine Fiesta in America (2013), just to name a few.
Despite the prominent increase of stereotyped attitudes common among girls in their formative years when they tend to seek freedom and unhesitatingly declare self independence, Gail, in stark contrast, solidly embraces the conservative way of growing up. Her being a sole daughter neither gave her the option to be spoiled and hard-headed nor lonely and wanting.
“Actually, it’s more of a challenge on my part…” Gail starts to share her thoughts. “I never felt alone since I grew up with my parents constantly by my side. It becomes a choice whether to be spoiled or merely be thankful for the great favors I’m showered with.”
Not contented with just listening, Gail’s mom Janette butted in to sustain the former’s declaration. “We’re but lucky to have Gail as an only child. She’s everything any parent could have asked for. We have wished for another one like her… but we’re really fated to have just one.”
Having been exposed to the latest global information and aware of her capacity to be significantly involved with current issues, Gail wasted no time to participate. She has generously given her own share in helping our less fortunate “kababayans” who were severely impacted by numerous natural calamities and disheartening disasters.
There’s always that motivational instinct within her to get engaged in charity-related events and perform benevolent deeds. In between school and home, Gail could still considerably squeeze into her already hectic schedule numerous voluntary services notwithstanding tedious self-involvement.
She has had unselfishly volunteered her singing talent to fundraise for Hurricane Sandy and typhoons Ondoy, Sendong, and Haiyan (Yolanda).
“It’s my only way to give back what my Creator has bountifully provided me. I feel a different kind of fulfilled bliss after I did my share.” The lithe and lissome model-performer utters.
Aside from singing, statuesque Gail took advantage of her height and spindle bone structure through strutting the runway.
Modeling could be a struggle but Gail successfully forayed into the fashion arena via a semi in-house fashion show of lady designer Dita Sandico-Ong. Her enticing ability to project and show off the collection to its full potential made it easy for Gail to get into the modeling world.
Although at 5’7” barefooted, Gail is still a few inches short of the required international height standard but she could effortlessly make up for what’s she’s short of. Even sans formal training, her peculiar walking technique, innate projection style, and signature hip sway while executing long but controlled strides more than compensate for it. She possesses that rare flair of adaptability, nearly perfectly chiseled features, fine bone-contours in the right places and unique style of walking.
She has that ravishing aura when donned in meticulously executed haute couture pieces meant for the ramp which she could effortlessly show-off and sell. Undoubtedly, Gail has the knack for modeling.
To prove her mettle in treading the ramp, Gail has had modeled for local and international designers like Izza Dunngca, Renee Salud, Edgar Madamba, Richard Papa, Edgar San Diego, Leonard Co, Darius Gibbs, Kenneth Chua, Eric delos Santos, and B2K.
Gail has added a couple of charity events outside of the Filipino community to her growing list of runway projects. There were Soles4Souls, Emmanuel Cancer Foundation, and the Pink Show for breast cancer awareness. She has also participated in the 2013 Celebrate Taiwan Fashion Show at the Grand Central Terminal that featured Taiwanese fashion designers from PRAXES Taiwanese Fashion Incubation Program and in the Asian in NY Annual Moon Festival and Fashion Show in 2012.
And just yesterday, February 13, she strutted the runway at the KAS New York Fashion Show.
Her free time doesn’t pass without being utilized to the fullest for when not singing, modeling, or doing school assignments, Gail is kept busy with scrapbooking, photography, drawing and sketching, writing free verses, and perfecting her voice impersonation talent complete with matching accent. One has yet to hear her speak sounding like an Indian, Latina, and other girls of foreign tongues to be fully convinced.
And as if her voluminous ramp and stage exposures weren’t enough to measure up for her overly endowed talents, the soft-spoken and low-keyed homegrown celebrity merely keeps all accolades and recognitions neatly tucked under her sleeves. Her mom consistently reminds her not to be affected by such.
“Even without my parents reminding me, I am already used to not wearing hats bigger than my head. I know how to handle such situation even at my young age. My mom used to tell me to merely stand on them that I may reach my goal than putting everything on my head which could be too heavy and risky.” She quipped straightforwardly.
“If there’s one influential force consistently pushing and tirelessly guiding me to achieve my dreams, that would be my Mom with my Dad as the silent supporter. But in terms of singing pattern, I idolize Aiza Seguerra for her emotional and effortless renditions while I dig Beyonce Knowles’ contagiously energetic stage performance.” Gail enumerates with pride. “I hope to see myself fitting in their shoes in the future.”
Photo credits: Rey Banawis & 8Shots Productions
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