In 1996, ABS-CBN launched a bunch of teen actors through its youth-oriented series Gimik.
The show was a success, and its cast members made a name for themselves in showbiz.
Most of them remain active in the industry and have successful showbiz careers.
But there are also others who have decided to stay away from the limelight.
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) takes a look at the present life of some of Gimik’s main cast members, 24 years after the show's pilot episode.
JUDY ANN SANTOS
Judy Ann Santos played Dianne Villaruel, a rich colegiala.
She was in love with one of her kabarkadas, Ricky Salveron (Rico Yan).
Judy Ann and Rico’s love team earned its own fanbase, despite Judy Ann having another love-team partner, Wowie de Guzman.
In 1997, Judy Ann had to leave Gimik when she was tapped to play the lead role in the drama series Esperanza.
In Gimik’s storyline, Dianne became blind after a shootout, causing her father to bring her to the United States.
After her Gimik stint, Judy Ann focused on doing movies and teleseryes.
She also top-billed her own drama anthology in 1999 titled Judy Ann Drama Special.
In 2004, Judy Ann met Ryan Agoncillo, one of her leading men in the fantasy series Krystala. Their team-up blossomed into a real-life relationship.
In the same year, Judy Ann adopted her first child, Yohan.
In 2009, Judy Ann married Ryan in a church wedding ceremony in Batangas.
They have two more kids: Lucho, 9, and Luna, 4.
One of Judy Ann’s recent accolades was a Best Actress award from the 2019 Cairo International Festival for her movie Mindanao.
Her last teleserye was the ABS-CBN kiddie series Starla, which ran for 14 weeks. It was the first time Judy Ann played a kontrabida role.
Currently, Judy Ann is busy shooting new episodes for her YouTube show, Judy Ann’s Kitchen.
She is also the host of the docu-drama show, Paano Kita Mapapasalamatan, which is airing on Kapamilya Channel.
JOLINA MAGDANGAL
Jolina Magdangal played SC Aragon, an aspiring fashion designer.
SC was in a relationship with Joey Fajardo (Marvin Agustin).
Gimik jumpstarted Jolina and Marvin’s love team. The pair starred in three hit movies: Flames The Movie (1997), Labs Kita, Okey Ka Lang (1998), and Hey, Babe! (1999).
Jolina and Marvin also top-billed their own drama series, Labs Ko si Babe.
But aside from acting, Jolina also became a recording artist and a fashion icon in the 1990s.
In 2002, Jolina decided to transfer from ABS-CBN to GMA-7.
She was able to do several projects and teleseryes in GMA-7 from 2002 to 2014, before returning to ABS-CBN in 2014.
To this day, Jolina is a contract star of the Kapamilya network.
She is a co-host in Magandang Buhay, a morning talk also featuring Karla Estrada and Melai Cantiveros.
Jolina married Rivermaya drummer-vocalist Mark Escueta in November 2011.
The have two kids: Pele, 6, and Vika, 2.
MYLENE DIZON
Mylene Dizon played the role of Melanie Suntay, a Nursing student who fell in love with Brian Lorenzo (Bojo Molina).
Melanie was the conservative girl among the group.
After Gimik, Mylene got into character roles.
Her breakthrough project was Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan, which was top-billed by Claudine Barretto.
In 2005, Mylene tried doing teleseryes with GMA-7, and played kontrabida to Marian Rivera in the afternoon series Agawin Mo Man Ang Lahat.
Mylene then did projects in ABS-CBN and GMA-7 intermittently.
Regarding her personal life, Mylene was in a relationship with actor-model Paolo Paraiso. They have two kids, Tomas and Lucas.
Mylene has been in a relationship with basketball star Jason Webb since 2014.
Currently, Mylene is part of the GMA-7 afternoon series, Bilangin Ang Bituin Sa Langit, with Nora Aunor and Kyline Alcantara.
G TOENGI
G Toengi played Gina de Leon, the best friend of Dianne and the love interest of Gary (Diether Ocampo).
While doing Gimik, G also starred in episodes of GMA Telesine and Maalaala Mo Kaya. She was also part of the mini-series Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako (1998), which was top-billed by Kaye Abad, Marvin Agustin, John Lloyd Cruz, and Kristine Hermosa.
After Gimik, G transferred to GMA-7 and became a mainstay of its variety program, SOP.
She also joined the sitcom Beh Bote Nga!
In 2005, G married Tim Walters in Boracay. They have two kids, Kenobi Benjamin and Sakura Anna Marie.
Since then, she has been based in the United States.
In 2010, she returned to the Philippines to appear in Gimik 2010, a reunion mini-series of the show’s cast.
Her full-length showbiz comeback happened in 2012, when she appeared in TV5’s mini-series Nandito Ako, starring David Archuleta and Jasmine Curtis Smith.
This was followed by a kontrabida role in ABS-CBN’s drama series, Aryana.
G's last project in the Philippines was the GMA-7 prime-time series Paraiso Ko’y Ikaw, which ran for nine weeks in 2014.
In the same year, G became the host and producer of the talk show Kababayan Today, which featured Pinoys in the United States.
Her last appearance for a local project was in the 2018 movie First Love, starring Aga Muhlach and Bea Alonzo. The film was shot in the United States.
At present, G is the director of programming for FilAm Arts, an organization in Los Angeles, California for the Filipino-American community which “believes in the power of the arts to overcome language barriers and build community through cultural diversity.”
DIETHER OCAMPO
Diether Ocampo played the role of Gary Ballesteros, the best friend of Ricky (Rico Yan) and the boyfriend of Gina (G Toengi).
After Gimik, Diether focused on becoming a dramatic actor.
He was paired with Claudine Barretto in Mula sa Puso (1997-1999) and Saan Ka Man Naroroon (1999-2001).
In late 2001, Diether earned his first lead role in the afternoon series Recuerdo de Amor.
Two years later, Diether played the third party in the 2003 prime-time series Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas, starring Kristine Hermosa and Jericho Rosales.
The project earned a fanbase for Diether and Kristine, who also got into a real-life relationship and were married in a civil ceremony in September 2004.
However, their marriage was decared null and void in 2009.
Diether continued appearing in teleseryes and movies in the succeeding years.
He stopped acting in 2013, after his teleserye, Apoy sa Dagat, wrapped up.
He was supposed to make a comeback in 2015 via the series Someone To Watch Over Me starring Judy Ann Santos. However, the project was shelved because of Judy Ann’s pregnancy.
Diether’s last TV show was the 2018 fantasy series Bagani.
His last movie was the 2019 sexy film Sunday Night Fever, which was shown on iWant.
In 2019, Diether joined the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary.
He has 16-year-old son named Dream.
MARVIN AGUSTIN
Marvin Agustin played the role of Joey Fajardo, the funny guy who was in love with SC (Jolina).
Marvin’s team-up with Jolina in Gimik was a success.
While Marvin was paired with Jolina in other projects, he also delved into drama via the mini series Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako in 1998, where he was paired with Kristine Hermosa.
In 2001, Marvin and Jolina parted ways as a love team.
For his solo career, Marvin focused on doing comedy via the noontime show Magandang Tanghali Bayan and the sitcom Whattamen.
In 2006, Marvin transferred to GMA-7, where his love team with Jolina was revived in several projects.
Marvin also tried his hand at playing kontrabida roles in TV shows like Asian Treasures and MariMar, among others.
Marvin transferred to TV5 in 2012, where he hosted talent and reality show Artista Academy.
After a two-year stint in the Kapatid network, Marvin returned to ABS-CBN in 2014. He was reunited with Jolina as they top-billed the afternoon soap opera Flordeliza.
A freelance actor, Marvin returned to GMA-7 in 2017 via the prime-time series Kambal, Karibal.
Marvin has twin sons, Santi and Seb. They are 15 years old.
A chef and entrepreneur, Marvin also owns a chain of restaurants including Sumo Sam and Wolfgang Steakhouse.
BOJO MOLINA
In Gimik, Bojo Molina played Brian Lorenzo, a med student who was the love interest of Melanie (Mylene Dizon).
After Gimik, Bojo transferred to VIVA Artists Agency and became part of the shows H2K: Hati-Hating Kapatid and May Bukas Pa, both aired on IBC-13 in 2000.
During this time, he fell in love with his Gimik and H2K co-star, Rica Peralejo.
But in 2001, he left for Guam, where he met his wife Jen, also the mom of his two kids Bryzen Oliver and Jaedyn Olivia.
In 2010, Bojo made a short comeback to do the five-episode reunion of Gimik cast in ABS-CBN’s Your Song presents.
Bojo’s last teleserye was GMA-7’s 2011 prime-time series Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin.
In 2017, through an e-mail interview with PEP.ph, Bojo said that he works for a local media company in Guam.
In August 2018, Bojo visited the Philippines and reunited with some of his Star Circle (now Star Magic) batchmates Adrian Alandy, Diego Castro, and Don Laurel.
KAYE ABAD
Kaye Abad played Kakai Marquez, one of the younger members of the barkada.
After Gimik, Kaye got her big break when she top-billed her own youth-oriented series, Tabing Ilog.
She then focused on becoming a dramatic actress, playing bida or kontrabida roles in teleseryes.
Some of these projects were Bud Brothers (2009), Somewhere In My Heart (2009), Rubi (2010), Alyna (2010-2011), Angelito: Batang Ama (2011-2012), Annaliza (2013), and Two Wives (2014).
Kaye dated her Tabing Ilog love-team partner John Lloyd Cruz, Parokya ni Edgar vocalist Chito Miranda, and Bud Brothers love-team partner Guji Lorenzana.
She is now married to Pinoy Big Brother housemate Paul Jake Castillo, who was her co-star in Alyna.
She gave birth to their firstborn, Joaquin, on December 22, 2017.
They are now based in Cebu.
In 2019, Kaye made a short acting comeback via the daytime series Nang Ngumiti Ang Langit.
PATRICK GARCIA
Patrick Garcia played Carlo de Leon, the younger brother of Gina.
After Gimik, Patrick was cast in Tabing Ilog, which ran from 1999 to 2003.
He also became part of Pangako Sa ‘Yo (2000), Darating Ang Umaga (2002), and Kampanerang Kuba (2005).
In 2006, Patrick transferred to GMA-7, where he met Jennylyn Mercado, the mom of his firstborn, Alex Jazz.
Six years later, he returned to ABS-CBN and starred in Annaliza (2013), Two Wives (2014), and Langit Lupa (2016).
In 2015, Patrick married Nikka Martinez, with whom he has three daughters: Michelle Celeste “Chelsea,” Nicola Patrice, and Francisca Pia.
KRISTOPHER PERALTA
Kristopher Peralta played the character of Toffee Sanchez in Gimik.
After Gimik, Kristopher landed supporting roles in TV and movie projects.
He became part of the movies Jologs (2002), Now That I Have You (2004), and the series Bud Brothers (2009).
He decided to lie low in show business in 2010.
According to a SunStar article in 2013, Kristopher has been based in Davao with his wife since 2012.
JOHN LLOYD CRUZ
John Lloyd Cruz played Junie de Dios in Gimik.
His team-up with Kaye Abad was a success that they bagged the lead roles in another youth-oriented series, Tabing Ilog.
In 2002, John Lloyd was supposed to transfer to GMA-7, but ABS-CBN gave him a lead role in the drama series Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay.
It was in that series where he met his perennial on-screen partner, Bea Alonzo.
John Lloyd and Bea were able to do several teleseryes and movies together, including Maging Sino Ka Man (2006) and One More Chance (2007).
John Lloyd was also paired with Sarah Geronimo, Toni Gonzaga, and Angel Locsin, to name a few.
When it comes to his personal life, John Lloyd had romantic relationships with Ciara Sotto, Liz Uy, Shaina Magdayao, and Angelica Panganiban. He was also linked to Ruffa Gutierrez.
In 2017, John Lloyd took an indefinite leave from show business after months of sightings with actress Ellen Adarna.
The two became parents to Elias Modesto in June 2018.
A year later, in August 2019, the pair broke up.
Following the break-up, John Lloyd slowly resumed attending showbiz-related events.
He had a cameo appearance in the Metro Manila Film Festival entry Culion in December 2019.
Based on the teaser released by ABS-CBN in January 2020, John Lloyd was also set to star alongside Shaina in Lav Diaz’s movie Servando Magdamag.
John Lloyd also engaged in a few creative projects with Bea.
On February 14, 2020, the pair participated in the live script reading of That Thing Called Tadhana in an art fair.
This was followed by a project called “The Unconfined Cinema” where John Lloyd and Bea had an Instagram Live session.
According to a recent report by PEP.ph’s Cabinet Files, John Lloyd has been in talks with former congressman Albee Benitez, the owner of Brightlight Productions, for an acting comeback.
Brighlight, a blocktimer on TV5, will be producing shows starring ABS-CBN stars.
DIEGO CASTRO
Diego Castro played the role of Jigs Mercado, the third wheel to Dianne (Judy Ann) and Ricky (Rico).
However, Diego did not stay long in Gimik because he decided to transfer to GMA-7 and VIVA’s Growing Up.
He was paired with Raven Villanueva, who became his wife in 1998 and the mom of his daughter Claire.
They separated after a year.
Diego took a break from showbiz, and returned in 2000 via the series Pangako Sa 'Yo of ABS-CBN, where he stayed untill 2007.
In 2012, Diego appeared in the GMA-7 series Kasalanan Bang Ibigin Ka?, and had two more Kapuso teleserye projects in 2014.
Diego later followed in the footsteps of his parents, June Keithley and Angelo Castro, Jr., who are both newscasters.
He is one of the hosts of UNTV’s morning show, Good Morning Kuya.
He is in a relationship with fellow UNTV anchor Angela Lagunzad.
On August 29, 2020, Diego collapsed in a restroom of a grocery. An unidentified man helped Diego and called Angela about what happened.
Two days after the incident, Diego posted on Facebook a thank-you message to the Good Samaritan who helped him.
Ano ba ang latest sa showbiz? Find out kung anong level ang showbiz IQ mo by subscribing to PEP.ph Viber Chatbot here. Join our community para laging updated!