Long hair is not usually the first choice for young leading men.
The industry tends to favor clean lines, tidy cuts, and a polished “clean boy” aesthetic that photographs well and plays it safe.
Gil Cuerva could easily lean into that formula. His sharp features and tall frame would allow it.
But Gil has never seemed particularly interested in fitting neatly into convention.
For years, he wore his hair long as a signature. And when he finally cut it for a role after more than two years of growing it out, he admitted he missed it.
The attachment suggested an actor comfortable with his own edge; someone less concerned with template appeal and more focused on carving a distinct presence.
That distinct presence ultimately landed him one of the most high-profile launches of his generation: the lead role in the Philippine adaptation of My Love From Another Star in 2017.
Originally portrayed by Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun, the character was an alien stranded on Earth.
As Matteo Domingo, Gil stepped into a role that required restraint, mystery, and otherworldly charisma.
He was not handed the spotlight as a byproduct of convention. Instead, he grew into it.
From modeling runways to primetime television, Gil Cuerva has steadily built a career shaped by risk, timing, and transitions.
Let’s take a closer look at the actor behind the image.
EARLY LIFE
Full Name, Birthday, Age
Guillermo Ernesto Eleazar Cuerva, professionally known as Gil Cuerva, was born on August 21, 1995.
He turns 31 before the end of the year.
Family and Heritage
In a profile written by the late Ricky Lo in May 2017 for The Philippine Star, Gil was described as the middle child of three siblings, with an older sister and a younger brother.
He is of Spanish descent on his father, Jake Cuerva’s side.
Jake was a true-blue Atenean from grade school to college and played in the UAAP for four years.
Gil's mother is Tina Eleazar.
It seems that athleticism and academic pedigree were already part of the household long before showbiz entered the picture.
EDUCATION
According to Ricky Lo’s May 2017 profile, Gil made what was described as an “ober-da-bakod” leap from Blue (Ateneo) to Green (La Salle).
While his father carried Atenean roots, Gil pursued higher education at De La Salle University.
He was a senior at DLSU when he auditioned for My Love From The Star, taking up two courses under LiaCom and Broadcast Communication. He eventually completed two majors from the university.
His entry into showbiz did not interrupt his academic track; instead, it intersected with it at a critical turning point.
CAREER
Model
Before primetime television, there was modeling.
According to Lifestyle Inquirer (July 22, 2017), Gil’s modeling career gained momentum when he endorsed a popular Chinese brand.
Since then, all 5’11” of him graced advertising campaigns and projects from Hong Kong.
His look also caught the attention of Filipino youth audiences. In September 2015, he became a Candy Cutie—a notable badge for rising young personalities at the time.
Modeling opened doors, but acting reshaped the trajectory.
Actor
Gil made his series debut in 2016 as the lead in My Love From The Star, starring opposite Jennylyn Mercado.
He had only been in showbiz for six months when he secured the role.
At the time, Jennylyn was 29 while Gil was 21—an age gap that initially raised eyebrows.
But, his distinct look and understated presence fit the character of Matteo Domingo, and their on-screen chemistry carried the adaptation forward.
The project was Gil’s first acting experience. Prior to that, he had been modeling professionally.
He said: “Actually, before I auditioned, may kontrata po ako sa Thailand, magmo-model po ako sa Thailand. Actually, nasa Pilipinas po ako for two weeks, para lang ayusin ang visa ko para sa Thailand.
“Tapos may nag-email sa akin na mag-audition ako sa show. Sabi ko, why not, try lang, let’s see where it goes.
“So, ayun, nakuha ko po, so I had to sacrifice yung pagmo-model ko sa Thailand. Actually, yung modeling as a whole, isa-sacrifice ko na kasi acting yung naging focus ko,”
He expressed gratitude for being chosen among many who auditioned, especially given his awareness of Jennylyn’s established career.
“So, nung nakuha ko yung role, ‘Wow, ako yung magiging partner ni Jennylyn’, so sobrang wow.”
After My Love From The Star, Gil went on to appear in nearly 20 television series. He notably returned six times to the fantasy anthology Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko across different episodes.
In film, he starred in the 2023 romantic drama Five Breakups and a Romance as Matt, alongside Alden Richards and Julia Montes.
In 2025, he portrayed Leo Silva in the romantic drama Only We Know, playing the younger brother of Dingdong Dantes, with Charo Santos-Concio as the latter’s love interest.
From newcomer to steady supporting and lead roles, his filmography reflects range beyond a single breakout moment.
PERSONAL LIFE
Gil Cuerva’s relationships
For his lead role debut, Gil was asked on 24 Oras to list qualities he looked for in a woman. He responded: “Mabait, patient, siyempre, maganda, and someone who could really grab my attention.”
Those traits appeared consistent in his publicly known relationships.
Kim Cruz
Kim Cruz was his first publicly known girlfriend. While Gil studied at La Salle, Kim attended Ateneo de Manila University, taking up Fine Arts.
They were each other’s first girlfriend and boyfriend.
Kim, a blogger, posted a supportive message when Gil landed the role of Matteo Domingo: “I am incredibly proud of everything you have achieved so far.
“You work so hard in order to improve your craft. Those late and stressful nights will all be worth it soon.
“No matter what happens I will be here for you through thick and thin, my partner.
“This is the big break you’ve always been waiting for and words cannot express how excited I am for you. You got this, my monkey.”
Lexi Gonzales
On November 18, 2021, Gil revealed on Mars Pa More that he was courting fellow Kapuso talent Lexi Gonzales.
By early 2023, they confirmed their relationship, with Lexi sharing that she made the first move. She later described the romance as her “2022 plot twist.”
In a February 2023 When in Manila interview, Gil recounted their first meeting during Lexi’s guest appearance on Taste Buddies in 2020.
“Right before the pandemic, February 2020, she guested on Taste Buddies pero noong time na iyon, wala pa talaga,” he said.
“She was just a guest and I was going through like a really sad, soft boy, breakup phase [laughs] and she got to see it. So it's kind of embarrassing. She saw me in my most unglamorous [moment].”
Lexi recalled: “I was a bit distracted also. Parang hindi ko rin napansin na sobrang heartbroken siya at that time kasi I was talking to someone else pa noong time na yon.
“So, magkalayo kami, although, I found him cute naman na that time.”
Gil responded playfully: “Bola, bola lang [laughs]. That’s technically the first time we met.”
In May 2022, Lexi confirmed on Mars Pa More that she made the first move.
Rumors of a breakup surfaced in November 2025, though neither confirmed nor denied the speculation.
“BIG FOUR” CONTROVERSY
Among those embroiled in what social media users have dubbed the “Big Four” controversy, Gil Cuerva’s name surfaced in connection with alleged viral sex videos that began circulating online in late February 2026.
According to reports and references from posts across various platforms, the four actors—Gil Cuerva, Nikko Natividad, Ron Angeles, and Arron Villaflor—were allegedly featured in explicit recordings.
Netizens claimed the videos were uploaded on X (formerly Twitter) and certain adult websites.
The issue had first surfaced in February 2025 but subsided after no materials publicly emerged.
Roughly a year later, in the last week of February 2026, four separate videos went viral, which online users alleged featured individuals resembling the four actors.
The group was subsequently labeled “The Big Four” after trending on X, coinciding on Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0's Big Night.
At press time, no official verification confirming the identities of the individuals in the circulating videos has been released.
Lexi’s Posts
On March 1, 2026, PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) published a follow-up report highlighting a series of posts shared on Threads by Lexi.
In the posts, Lexi criticized the spread of false information and manipulated content, writing (published as is): “Disgusting how some people are like flies who flock on other people's dirty laundry.
“You guys are absolute scum of the Earth.
“Spreading false information and manipulated content of someone is punishable by law.”
She further described individuals who spread misinformation as “repulsive,” adding: “Kadiri kayo. Repulsive. You wouldn't know what that means kasi nothing disgusts you.”
It was unclear what prompted Lexi’s statements. However, some netizens speculated that the posts may be related to the alleged controversy involving her former boyfriend, Gil Cuerva.
Republic Act No. 9995, or the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009, prohibits the recording, reproduction, and distribution of intimate content without consent.
Violations carry penalties ranging from three to seven years of imprisonment and fines between PHP100,000 and PHP500,000.
Read: Did Lexi Gonzales defend Gil Cuerva from alleged video scandal?