In case you didn’t know, Marco Gumabao and Barbie Imperial are cousins. Even they were surprised after they were able to connect the dots.
In an episode of Kapamilya Chat where Marco promoted his latest movie “Spellbound,” he was asked about the Gumabaos' growing star power in showbiz. There’s him and his half-brother Paolo raising the Gumabao banner.
Marco is proud of his siblings, especially Paolo whose journey in showbiz he witnessed from the beginning. It’s no secret that Marco’s family just met Paolo, his half-brother from his dad’s side, in 2015, after Paolo saw him in a project. Despite not growing up together, they instantly hit it off and they would even talk about their dreams. Marco knew that Paolo have always wanted to pursue showbiz, so he is happy watching him excel in his chosen career.
“All I can say is he deserves it,” said Marco, adding that he sees Paolo’s hunger to be great at his craft, “He really wants to do this. He really wants to make a name for himself.”
“I couldn’t be happier for my younger brother kasi dream niya talaga ‘to.” As the more senior actor, he, of course, gives Paolo advice about showbiz, and one of his constant reminders is to never be affected when people try to pit them against each other. He tells Paolo that they’d be inevitably compared with each other but they don’t have to take it personally. “Ang maganda kasi kay Pao, he listens. And alam niyang this is all part of work.”
Paolo, who plays a Super Soldier in Mars Ravelo’s Darna, is also passionate about basketball. Whatever he chooses to do, he can be sure that he has a ‘Kuya’ cheering him on.
On Barbie, Marco explained that they didn’t know they are blood-related until he asked. When he learned that Barbie hails from Bicol, he knew there isa a possibility because the Imperials from Bicol are usually related. She is his cousin from his mother's side, therefore, Barbie and Paolo are not family, although they are friends.
“It’s always nice to know na may mga kamag-anak ka pala na hindi pa nakikilala,” shared Marco, who revealed that they have many times been asked to star in one project. However, there’s always conflict of interest since producers tend to brush off the idea that they’re cousins. He thinks a barkada or horror story will be perfect for them.
Marco revealed that his cousin is protective, “People see na medyo matapang si Barbie. Yeah, she is matapang, but in a good way. She’s always out there to look after her loved ones.”