Bangs Garcia recalls a dubious proposal given to her in the past

Starting this Monday, January 25, viewers will be able to watch an afternoon soap opera that tackles sacrifices and indecent proposals. In Magkano ang Iyong Dangal?, Bangs Garcia plays the lead character named Carmela. She works in a shoe factory owned by the family of Troy (Rayver Cruz). When they were still kids, she became good friends with Troy and Nilo (Sid Lucero). As they grew up, Carmela becomes close to Nilo, leaving Troy heart-broken.

The rich heir works in the United States and when he came back, he becomes obsessed with Carmela. Troy finds out about the financial woes of Carmela and he offers her a huge sum of money in exchange for her dignity.

Will the young lady accept his proposal? What will Nilo do when he finds out about his shady deal?

During the January 19 press conference of Magkano ang Iyong Dangal?, members of the press asked Bangs if she already received an indecent proposal in the past.

"Sa akin, yung direct wala pa talaga pero I heard sa manager ko [Tom Molina], meron daw isa. Pero natatawa siya kasi hindi niya sineseryoso. Parang nagtatanong tungkol sa PR [services]. Pero malay ba ng tao kung ano yun. Bawat tao ba na makakakita sa inyo, i-explain mo na 'Uy, walang nangyari sa amin. Mahirap yun, di ba? Kaya, the best thing na lang ay iwasan, di ba?"

Would she be willing to go on a date in exchange for a huge amount of money?

"Against ako dun, eh. Sobra akong ma-prinsipyong tao. Kahit maghirap ako as long as makuha ko yung bagay na gusto ko. Basta makuha ko as hirap at pagod ko. Medyo namana ko sa dad ko kasi ganun siya eh.

"May prinsipyo akong babae at sana maraming babae rin ang magkaroon pa ng prinsipyo para intact pa rin yung dignity nila," declares Bangs.

Does she feel offended by these kinds of proposals?

"Depende, pwedeng oo o hindi. Baka nga gusto nila dinner lang at wala namang masamang balak. Pero ang hassle dun, i-explain mo pa sa bawat taong nakakita sa inyo. Pwde ring nakaka-bastos siya kasi parang, 'Ano yung tingin mo sa akin? I'm a high-class prostitute? I don't entertain those kinds of offers."

How would she react if she heard someone ask her, 'Magkano ang iyong dangal?'

"Sa totoo lang, nung ako narinig ko siya, inisip ko talaga, pagbebenta ng puri. But then I realized, ang dangal hindi necessary na puri ang binebanta mo. Pwedeng buong pagkatao mo, pwedeng magpa-alila ka sa isang bagay. Just like sa akin, nakaka-relate ako kasi I sacrificed a lot for my family. Naging breadwinner rin ako, lalo na nung time na ginagawa ko ang Palos. I didn't go back to Davao to continue my studies. I did my work na here in Manila."

If someone asks her to name any price in exchange for her dignity, Bangs says that she will tell that person: "I'm not for sale! You can't buy me!"

And if a handsome person attempts to offer her money, the former FHM girl says that she would be offended. "Mao-offend ako nun kasi bakit kailangan niyang bilhin ang puri ko? Bakit hindi na lang niya ko ligawan?"


TWO LEADING MEN. In this TV series, she will be paired with Rayver Cruz and Sid Lucero.

At press time, Bangs has not had any kissing scenes with Rayver. She described her leading man Sid by saying, "Much older siya so mayroon siyang instant manly figure. Very gentle siya and he has soft lips. Nakaka-in love talaga si Sid."

She pointed out that she was pleasantly surprised to see another side of Rayver in this project. "Si Rayver nagulat ako kasi may potential pala siya...Dati kasi pa-tweetums siya so ngayon, may ibubuga pala siya."

Will Bangs be willing to show more flesh in a future project or movie?

"It depends on the story. Sinabi ko sa sarili ko na kung sakaling mag-topless, hindi ko kayang mag breast exposure. Pero pwedeng ipakita yung back, to suggest that I'm not wearing anything. Pero not for a sex scene, kunyari nabaliw ako at kailangan kong magwala or something," says Bangs. "Sa tingin ko kasi kaya namang gawing maganda ang love scene without showing breasts."

Magkano Ang Iyong Dangal? is based on Gilda Olvidado's hit pocket book. In 1989, it was made into a film with Laurice Guillen as director. However, the plot of the TV adaptation is not related to the movie version.

ABS-CBN's latest afternoon soap opera will also star Mickey Ferriols, Emilio Garcia, Bing Pimentel, Debraliz Valasote, Beverly Salviejo, Nikki Valdez, Paw Diaz, Bettina Carlos, Makisig Morales, Martin Rosario, Ella Cruz and Joshua Dionisio.

This project is directed by Chito Roño while its associate directors for this project are Francis Xavier Pasion (the director of the award-winning film Jay), Jeffrey Jeturian and Mae Cruz.

CLICK HERE to view Bang's video discussing the said proposal.