Grae Fernandez plays the antagonist to Edward Barber in ABS-CBN’s Hiwaga Ng Kambat, a drama-fantasy airing every Sunday night.
Based on the pilot episode (which garnered a whopping 24.4-percent share, according to Kantar Media), it is indeed a nail-biting, action-packed show. Grae’s character is Mateo Baron, twin to Barber’s Iking Castro. The twins are separated at birth, with Iking possessing bat-like powers. Fate would bring them together and let’s just say the two do not hit it off, being rivals in almost everything, including school, sports and, of course, girls. Take note: they still do not know they’re twins actually.
Anyway, back to Grae. People might think he just sprouted out of nowhere but this young man is part of showbiz royalty. He is the son of Mark Anthony Fernandez, making him the grandson of Rudy Fernandez and Alma Moreno. If we actually show one by one his other relatives in the industry, I might not be able to meet my deadline for this column, so just Google it.
Speaking of Google, if you Google Grae Fernandez, you will find out that he worked hard for where he is now. He started out as a commercial model, then went on to TV guestings until six years ago when Star Magic corralled him with Nash Aguas, Joaquin Reyes, Brace Arquiza and John Emmanuel Bermundo to form the boy group Gimme 5. They were mainstays in ASAP and even released a self-titled album. Grae then ventured into acting, doing minor roles in ABS-CBN teleseryes Bagito, Bridges of Love and Pangako Sa ’Yo.
If you go further to Google images of him, you will see the pictures of Grae and he is one hot guy. He looks like the typical jock, handsome in a familiar way—sort of like the best-looking guy you went to high school with. He has smoldering eyes and a curt smile with jaws and cheekbones for days. Flawless skin my derma would die for. And like many good-looking guys, he looks like he is full of himself. The type of person who will use his looks to get his way and even bully a hapless person or two.
But those closest to Grae will attest he is far from any of that. According to his comanager Paula Punla, he is a respectful young man, “super bait and tahimik. Ayaw niya ma-late sa mga schedules. At ang daming award sa school kahit busy.”
Daming award…wait, what?
Paula must have sensed my dumbfoundedness and showed me a picture of Grae holding an Excellence Award from his school. “Pinaghirapan nya ’yan. Gusto niya lagi na binibigay niya lahat sa ginagawa niya.”
And it shows. Consider this a fearless forecast but Grae will certainly go a long way.
****
METRO Channel received five accolades at the 17th Gawad Tanglaw for fostering the country’s cultural development, sustainability, and gender empowerment in its programs, a welcome recognition just a year after the ABS-CBN lifestyle channel was launched on cable.
“When we were tasked to launch Metro Channel, we made sure to stay faithful to the Metro DNA with regards to production quality and curation. Storytelling and serving our market remains to be the heart and soul of why we do what we do. So we are truly grateful to have our efforts recognized by no less than Gawad Tanglaw on our first year of operation,” said Metro Group Head Christina Lopez.
Three of Metro Channel’s food shows that showcase rich Filipino culture and dishes—Chasing Flavors, hosted by renowned chef Claude Tayag; Food Prints with restaurateur Sandy Daza; and Show Me the Market with Chef JP Anglo and The Marketman Joel Binamira—won the Jury Award for Cultural Development and Sustainability.
Joey Mead-King’s talk show Women of Style, meanwhile, received the Jury Award for Gender and Development. The empowering program, which premiered in August last year, has featured outstanding Filipinas who embody confidence, substance and passion.
Metro Home, a show that inspires viewers to add beautiful touches to their own abodes, was awarded the Jury Award for Sustainable Design and Innovation. It is hosted by furniture executive Stephanie Kienle-Gonzales and Metro Home magazine Editor in Chief Anton Barretto.
Catch Food Prints, Chasing Flavors, Metro Home, Show Me the Market and Women of Style on Metro Channel (SKYcable channel 52 and channel 174 on HD), the home of chic living.