Denise Barbacena

Denise Barbacena
Born
Denise Ysabel Barbacena

(1994-11-02) November 2, 1994 (age 30)
Manila, Philippines
Alma materOur Lady of Fatima University
Occupation(s)Actress, singer, comedienne
Spouse
Carlos Velasco
​
(m. 2023)​
Musical career
GenresHip hop, alternative hip hop
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano
Years active2011–present
LabelsJive (Sony Music), Universal, GMA Records

Denise Ysabel Barbacena-Velasco (born November 2, 1994[1]) is a Filipino actress, singer, comedienne and popularly known as finalist of the first season of the reality show, Protégé: The Battle For The Big Break, a reality search contest, created by GMA Network as an official protégé of Gloc-9.[1]

She is best known for her collaborations with Gloc-9, such as "Hari ng Tondo" and "Dapat Tama".[2] As an actress, she appears in the gag show Bubble Gang[2] as well as other television series such as A1 Ko Sa 'Yo,[3] Legally Blind[1] and Little Nanay.[1] In film, she became part of the main cast of 1st ko si 3rd.[4]

Career

In 2011, Barbacena became a contestant for the talent search show Protégé: The Battle For The Big Break of GMA Network where she represented Mega Manila.[5] Barbacena was chosen by of Gloc 9 to be his protégé in the said television show.[1] She made it to the finals after singing "Pag-ibig Ko'y Pansinin," which was originally recorded by Faith Cuneta.[1] After being eliminated on November 6, 2011, she landed on the eighth place.[1]

Barbacena was featured in Gloc 9's song "Hari ng Tondo." It was used as a theme song for the 2011 film Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story and their collaboration won the Best Theme Song in the 60th FAMAS Awards.[6][7] Another collaboration with Gloc 9 happened in 2013 as they were tapped by GMA News and Public Affairs to do "Dapat Tama," an advocacy campaign jingle for public awareness during mid-term Philippine elections in 2013.[8] In 2014, the campaign including the music video of "Dapat Tama" gained merit honors in the 49th Anvil Awards given by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines under the category Public Relations Programs in a Sustained Basis.[9][10] For winning the Anvil Awards, the Philippine House of Representatives adopted resolution number 1694 commending the achievement of the "Dapat Tama" campaign.[11][12]

In 2013, Barbacena joined the cast of Bubble Gang[13] where she had done many comedy skits including spoofing Yaya Dub, the character of Maine Mendoza in "Kalyeserye."[14] Incidentally, in 2017, Barbacena recorded the singles "Aking Tadhana" and "To Be Yours, I'm Destined" for the original soundtrack of Destined to Be Yours, which top billed by Maine Mendoza and Alden Richards.[15][16] In the pilot episode of Destined to be Yours in February 2017, "Aking Tadhana" topped the iTunes PH list of songs.[17]

She also starred in the comedy series A1 Ko Sa 'Yo in 2016.[18] Barbacena was included in the main cast of the indie film 1st ko si 3rd making her film debut.[4]

Personal life

Aside from singing, Barbacena also plays a piano as a hidden talent, and also a comedian.

In 2020, she finished her bachelor's degree in medical technology from Our Lady of Fatima University.[19]

On September 29, 2023, Barbacena married her non-showbiz partner, Carlos Velasco.[20]

Discography

Singles

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Network Notes
2022–24 Abot-Kamay na Pangarap Dra. Eulalia "Eula" Sarmiento†
GMA Network
 Recurring Role
2022 Happy Together: Kotse Esther Episode Role
Artikulo 247 Chi Chi Support Role
2021 Owe My Love Dolores Santos Guest Role
2021–22 All-Out Sundays Herself / Various Performer
2020 I Can See You Deedee Series title: Love on the Balcony
2019 Beautiful Justice Shine Guest Role
Hanggang sa Dulo ng Buhay Ko Brooke Support Role
Dragon Lady young Ginger Guest Role
TODA One I Love young Dyna
2018 Contessa Miadora Jimenez Support Role
2017 Magpakailanman: My Heart Belongs to You (The Bud and Gloria Brown Story) Gloria Episode Role
Road Trip Herself / Guest
Wish Ko Lang: Si Aileen at si Alexa Alexa
Alyas Robin Hood Prisoner 1 Guest Role
Legally Blind Sabrina
2016 Superstar Duets Herself / Guest Contestant
Dear Uge: My Millenial Mom Majie Episode Role
A1 Ko Sa 'Yo Kaycee Molina Support Role
Karelasyon Elisa Episode Role
The Millionaire's Wife Grace Guest Role
Maynila: Lucky I'm In Love Jane Episode Role
2015 Little Nanay Trixie Guest Role
Maynila: Sikretong Malupit Sandra Episode Role
Sabado Badoo Herself / Guest Cameo Role
2014 Basta Every Day, Happy! Guest Performer
2013–2014 Sunday All Stars Performer
2013–2022 Bubble Gang Herself / Various Mainstay
2012 / 2017 Tunay Na Buhay Herself / Guest Episode Guest
2011–2013 Party Pilipinas Performer
2011 Protégé: The Battle for the Big Break Contestant

Film

Film performances
Year Title Role Notes
2014 1st ko si 3rd Main cast, 2014 Cinemalaya entry (English title: Third Is My First)

Awards and nominations

The name of the award ceremony, year presented, nominee(s) of the award, award category, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee(s)/work(s) Result
Aliw Award 2019 Best New Female Artist Herself Nominated

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Denise Barbacena | GMANetwork.com - Artist Center - Talents". GMA Network. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Portillo, Samanta; Estrada, Bochic (October 25, 2013). "Denise Barbacena embraces comedy as her newfound love". GMA News. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  3. ^ Carballo, Bibsy M. (May 26, 2016). "Coming soon: Kapuso sexy comedy". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  4. ^ a b "1st ko si 3rd". Cinemalaya official page. Archived from the original on August 23, 2017. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  5. ^ Gonzales, Rommel (October 19, 2011). "PART 1: Meet the female contenders of Protégé". Philippine Entertainment Portal (in English and Tagalog). Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  6. ^ "SLIDESHOW: Pops of color at 60th FAMAS Awards". ABS-CBN News. September 26, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  7. ^ "salamat sa Famas Awards 2012!". Gloc-9 Official Homepage. September 28, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  8. ^ "GMA launches the Dapat Tama theme song by Gloc-9". The Philippine Star. February 15, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  9. ^ "GMA launches the Dapat Tama theme song by Gloc-9". The Philippine Star. March 4, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  10. ^ "GMA News and Public Affairs' 'Dapat Tama' campaign wins Anvil Award". GMA News. February 28, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  11. ^ "House adopts resolution commending GMA Network's 'Dapat Tama' electoral advocacy campaign". www.congress.gov.ph. House of Representatives of the Philippines. December 28, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  12. ^ Red, Isah V. (December 18, 2014). "Congress lauds 'Dapat Tama' campaign". Manila Standard. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  13. ^ Paulino, Ver (December 5, 2015). "Two decades of laughs with the Bubble Gang". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  14. ^ Acar, Aedrianne (October 13, 2015). "Comedienne Denise Barbacena natakot daw i-spoof si Yaya Dub?". GMA News (in Tagalog). Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  15. ^ Sun, Cherry (March 2, 2017). "Theme songs ng bagong GMA shows, maaari nang i-download". Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  16. ^ "Playlist: Denise Barbacena – To Be Yours I'm Destined (from 'Destined To Be Yours')". GMA Network. April 5, 2017. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  17. ^ Sun, Cherry (February 27, 2017). "'Destined To Be Yours' theme, at top spot on iTunes PH songs". GMA Network. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  18. ^ "Newbies daunted, inspired to work with Jaclyn Jose". Philippine Daily Inquirer. June 6, 2016. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  19. ^ Ilaya, Felix (July 1, 2020). "Denise Barbacena finally graduates from college after 10 years". GMA Network (in Filipino). Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  20. ^ Chua, EJ (October 4, 2023). "Denise Barbacena, ikinasal na sa kanyang non-showbiz partner". GMA Network (in Filipino). Retrieved November 7, 2024.