Christian Bables

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Mercurioand the surname or paternal family name is Bables.

Christian Bables
Christian Bables in January 2024
Born	Christian Mercurio Bables (1992-12-06) December 6, 1992 (age 32) Bacoor, Cavite, Philippines
Citizenship	Filipino
Alma mater	De La Salle University – Dasmariñas
Occupations	Actor model
Years active	2015–present
Agents	Asian Artist Agency (2017–present) KreativDen (2021–2024) Cornerstone Entertainment (2024-present)
Height	175 cm (5 ft 9 in)

Christian Mercurio Bables (born December 6, 1992), is a Filipino actor and model. Numerous critics have recognized him as one of the most skilled young actors in the Philippine entertainment industry. He won Best Actor at the fifth Hanoi International Film Festival for his performance as the lead character Intoy in the drama film Signal Rock. He also won the Best Supporting Actor Award at the Gawad Urian Awards, 42nd MMFF and FAP Luna Awards for his character Barbs in the LGBT comedy-drama film Die Beautiful .

In 2021, won the Best Actor award at the Metro Manila Film Festival, 5th Eddy’s Choice Awards, and 19th Asian Film Festival for the movie Big Night! . In 2022, Bables starred as Dali, an effeminate fashion designer who falls in love with a beauty queen and faces the pressure to prove his heterosexuality to her and everyone else around them, in the romantic comedy film Mahal Kita, Beksman . The film screened at various international film festivals and won the Best Non-US Release (Philippines) accolade at the 27th Online Film Critics Society Awards. He also gained broader recognition among the Filipino public for his role as Max Dionisio in the acclaimed teleserye, Dirty Linen .

Early life

Bables was born on December 6, 1992, in Bacoor, Cavite. He is the second son of Rodrigo Bables (deceased) and Bing Mercurio-Urbano of Escalante, Negros Occidental. He graduated with a Communication Arts Degree from De La Salle University Dasma in 2013. ^[1] Although Bables grew up in Cavite, where the dominant language is Tagalog, he is fluent in Cebuano. He credits his fluency in the language to his Visayan mother. ^{[2] [3]}

Bables has denied getting plastic surgery for his distinctive aquiline nose. He has stated that he was "born with it" and inherited the feature from his mother, who is of Spanish Filipino descent. According to Bables, other people bullied him for his nose when he was growing up, calling him Pinocchio. ^{[4] [5]}

Career

2011–2018: Workshops, supporting roles, first lead role

Bables first enrolled in Star Magic's acting workshops in 2011. At first, Bables' mother disapproved of him pursuing showbiz. She wanted him to seek a corporate job or focus on their family's advertising firm. However, Bables was drawn more towards the performing arts, particularly acting. She eventually relented, allowing him to continue his career in entertainment. ^[6]

In 2017, The Philippine Star wrote that Bables' career "languished for six years", as he was relegated to bit and supporting roles. Bables said of his career's early years, "I auditioned, but no one wanted to cast me. They said I wasn't popular; that I had no name. No one wanted to trust me." He auditioned for the LGBT comedy-drama Die Beautiful and initially failed to land a role. However, the creatives behind the film gave him another chance, asking him to recite the script, and later decided to cast him as the main character Trisha's best friend, Barbs. Bables won Best Supporting Actor at the Metro Manila Film Festival for his performance as Barbs, and the film bolstered his career. The media gave him the moniker "Pambansang Bes" (Nation's Best Friend). Regal Films cast Bables in his first lead role in 2017, for the then-untitled drama film Signal Rock , which was released a year later in 2018. ^[7]

2019–present: Breakthrough roles

Bables' performance as Barbs Cordero in Die Beautiful earned him 3 Best Supporting Actor awards from separate award-giving bodies, the MMFF, Gawad Urian, and Luna Awards. ^[8]

In 2018, he won Best Leading Actor at the 5th Hanoi International Film Festival for his performance in Signal Rock . ^[9]

In 2021, he played the lead role in the black comedy film Big Night! . Jason Tan Liwag of Rappler lauded Bables' performance, describing him as "an indelible onscreen presence" and "a force to be reckoned with." ^[10] Bables won Best Actor at the 47th Metro Manila Film Festival for his performance in the film. ^[11]

In May 2024, Bables signed a contract with Legacy Entertainment, a talent agency based in the USA. He clarified that he will "forever" be a Filipino actor and has no intentions to leave his Philippines-based talent agency, KreativDen. ^[12]

Personal life

Despite Bables' association with queer characters, he has clarified that he identifies as a straight man. He has said that he's "tired" of the gender role-based stereotyping he has faced and speculation towards his sexuality. ^[13]

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Producer
2016	I Love You to Death	Apol	Regal Entertainment
	Die Beautiful	Barbs Cordero	The Idea First Company and Regal Entertainment
2017	Finally Found Someone	Noah Alcala	Star Cinema
	The Ghost Bride	David Chao	Star Cinema
2018	Recipe for Love	Calixto "Calix" Marcel	Regal Entertainment
	Signal Rock	Intoy Abakan	CSR Films and Regal Entertainment
2019	The Panti Sisters	Samuel Panti	Black Sheep, The Idea First Company and ALV Productions
2021	Bekis On the Run	Donald	Viva Entertainment
	Big Night!	Dharna/Panfilo Macaspac Jr.	Cignal Entertainment, The Idea First Company, Octobertrain Films and Quantum Films
2022	Mahal Kita, Beksman	Dali	Viva Films The Idea First Company Powerhouse Media Capital
2023	Ten Little Mistresses (Sampung mga Kerida)	Lady G / Lady H	Prime Video, The Idea First Company, Quantum Films
	Broken Hearts Trip	Alfred	Smart Films Production, OPC, BMC Films
	Becky and Badette	Madam Luka (Cameo)	The Idea First Company

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Network
2015	Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita	Dwayne	Guest Cast / Protagonist	ABS-CBN
2017	Maalaala Mo Kaya: Salamin	Reuben "Ben" Hernandez	Main Cast / Protagonist
	Magpakailanman	Ramon Burce		GMA Network
2018–2019	Halik	Barry Bartolome	Supporting Cast / Protagonist	ABS-CBN
2021	Maalaala Mo Kaya: Paru-paro	Iron Guerrero	Main Cast / Protagonist	Kapamilya Channel / A2Z
	Your Face Sounds Familiar (Philippine season 3)	Himself / Performer	Main Performer
	ASAP Natin 'To	Himself / Dance performer		Kapamilya Channel / A2Z / TV5 / Jeepney TV
2022	Mars Ravelo's Darna	Dr. Alex Dela Torre / Killer Ghost	Guest Cast / Antagonist	Kapamilya Channel / A2Z / TV5 / Cine Mo!
2023	Drag You and Me	Charlie Bautista / Bubbles Lacroix	Main Cast	iWantTFC
	Dirty Linen	Joseph Maximus "Max" Dionisio	Main Cast	Kapamilya Channel / A2Z / TV5 / Jeepney TV
	TV Patrol	Himself / first-ever male celebrity Star Patroller	Guest Star Patroller	Kapamilya Channel / A2Z / ABS-CBN News Channel / TeleRadyo
2024	Saving Grace	Chito Sumulong	Main Cast / Antagonist	Amazon Prime Video

Awards, nominations and special recognition

Year	Festival/Award Ceremony	Award	Movie	Result	Ref.
2023	39th FAP Luna Awards	Best Actor	Mahal Kita, Beksman	Nominated	[14]
2022	70th FAMAS Awards		Big Night!	Nominated	[15]
	5th Entertainment Editors' Choice Awards			Won	[16]
	19th Asian Film Festival			Won	[17]
2021	47th Metro Manila Film Festival			Won	[18]
2020	4th GEMS Hiyas ng Sining Awards		The Panti Sisters	Nominated	[19]
2019	37th FAP Luna Awards		Signal Rock	Nominated	[20]
	6th Urduja Heritage Film Awards			Won	[21]
	Asian Pop-Up Cinema (Chicago, Illinois)	Bright Star Award		Won	[22]
	3rd Entertainment Editors' Choice Awards	Best Actor		Nominated	[23]
	42nd Gawad Urian			Nominated	[24]
	67th FAMAS Awards			Nominated	[25]
	3rd GEMS Hiyas ng Sining Awards			Nominated	[26]
	11th National Commission for Culture and the Arts Ani ng Dangal Awards			Honoree	[27]
	3rd Film Development Council of the Philippines Film Ambassadors' Night			Honoree	[28]
2018	9th Philippine Daily Inquirer Indie Bravo! Awards			Honoree	[29]
	5th Hanoi International Film Festival	Best Leading Actor		Won	[30]
	2nd Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino	Special Jury Award		Won	[31]
2017	11th Gawad Genio	Best Film Debut Performer	Die Beautiful	Won
	33rd PMPC Star Awards for Movies	New Movie Actor of the Year		Nominated	[32]
		Movie Supporting Actor of the Year		Nominated
	35th FAP Luna Awards	Best Supporting Actor		Won	[33]
	40th Gawad Urian			Won	[34]
2016	42nd Metro Manila Film Festival			Won	[35]

References

1. Valle, Jocelyn T. (March 1, 2017). "Christian Bales". Yes! Philippines. Photos by Cyrus Panganiban. Archived from the original on September 24, 2017 – via PressReader.
2. Bonoan, Reggee (December 19, 2021). "Christian Bables kay Direk Jun Lana: Natatakot po ako sa kanya na nahihiya". Bandera (The Philippine Daily Inquirer) (in Tagalog). Archived from the original on December 16, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
3. dela Cruz, Liezel (August 2, 2024). "Christian Bables shares insights on healthy boundaries and moving on". ABS-CBN News). Archived from the original on December 16, 2024.
4. Cruz, Marinel R. (November 14, 2018). "The trouble with Christian Bables' nose". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
5. Lo, Ricky (November 10, 2018). "• Christian: I'm happy & satisfied with my nose • A girl for Cora Waddell & husband Terence Lloyd". Philstar Global.
6. Glorioso, Bot (May 20, 2018). "Christian not bothered about being typecast". The Philippine Star . Archived from the original on December 16, 2024 – via Press Reader.
7. "Christian Bables: Supporting actor no more". The Philippine Star . January 24, 2017. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024.
8. "'Die Beautiful' tops 2017 Luna Awards". ABS-CBN News.
9. "Christian Bables wins best actor in Hanoi". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
10. "'Big Night' review: A test of principles, place, and privileges". Rappler.
11. "[COLUMN] Christian Bables wins best actor at MMFF, 'Big Night' wins best picture". Asian Journal News.
12. "Christian Bables signs with Hollywood agent, vows not to leave PH". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
13. "CChristian Bables opens up on gender identity". Manila Bulletin.
14. "Heaven Peralejo, Noel Trinidad bag top acting honors at 39th Luna Awards". ABS-CBN News. August 27, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
15. "FULL LIST: Winners, 2022 FAMAS Awards". Rappler. July 30, 2022. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
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17. "Brillante Mendoza, Vince Rillon, Christian Bables win awards at Asian film fest in Rome". ABS-CBN News. April 14, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
18. "Charo Santos, Christian Bables win top acting honors in MMFF; 'Big Night' is Best Picture". Inquirer.net. December 29, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
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21. "UFF6 BEST HERITAGE FILMS OF 2019". UFF Blog Post. October 9, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
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26. "Mga Nominado sa GEMS Hiyas ng Sining - Gabi ng Parangal (Pelikula o Film)". Henry Magahis Facebook Page. January 5, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
27. "55 artists honored in NCCA's Ani ng Dangal". BusinessWorld. February 27, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
28. "FDCP Names 86 Honorees for the 3rd Film Ambassadors' Night". FDCP Website. February 6, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
29. Cruz, Marinel (December 16, 2018). "Timeless stories, passionate stars feted at 9th Inquirer Indie Bravo!". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
30. Caparas, Celso de Guzman (November 7, 2018). "Filipinos win honors in Hanoi International Filmfest". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
31. Cruz, Marinel (August 22, 2018). "'Signal Rock' wins big at 2018 PPP". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
32. "FULL LIST: Winners, PMPC Star Awards for Movies 2017". Rappler. September 4, 2017. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
33. Custodio, Arlo (August 29, 2017). "'Die Beautiful' wins big in FAP's 35th Luna Awards". The Manila Times. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
34. "FULL LIST: Winners, Gawad Urian Awards 2017". Rappler. July 21, 2017. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
35. "List of Winners: Metro Manila Film Festival 2016". When In Manila. January 2, 2017. Retrieved December 21, 2019.