Filipino theater actor and television host (born 1978)
Antonio Jose Ongpauco Gaba (born July 16, 1978) professionally known as Tonipet Gaba (), is a Filipino theater actor, model, and television presenter. He is most notable for hosting the children's arts and crafts show, "Art Angel", in 2004. Gaba also served as a longtime presenter of the magazine show, "Pop Talk", on GTV (formerly GMA News TV) until his shift to Net 25 in 2021. He currently co-hosts the network's morning show "Love, Tonipet, and Everythaaang!", with co-host Love Añover.
Early life and career.
From a young age, Gaba was already fascinated in visual arts as he loved drawing and painting. He majored in Literature and Humanities at the De La Salle University, where he also had a newfound love for the stage.
Theater career.
Gaba trained under Repertory Philippines. He performed in various plays such as the Philippine productions of Hans Christian Andersen's "Honk!" and Neil Simon's "The Good Doctor". Due to his consecutive television projects, his theater career was put on hold until his comeback as Schroeder in the 2012 Philippine production of "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown", produced by 9 Works Theatrical.
Television career.
2002: NBN.
Gaba appeared on the NBN children's educational show "Eskwela ng Bayan" in 2002. He starred in the segment "Karen's World" as a farmer named "Inggo" who learns English from "Karen Kalabaw", a talking carabao, played by Monica Llamas.
2004–2021: GMA Network.
In 2004, he co-hosted the arts and crafts children's show, "Art Angel", with Pia Arcangel and child actress Krystal Reyes. He remained throughout the entirety of the show, even after Arcangel left in 2010, who was replaced by actress Anne Barcelo. In a separate endeavor in 2008, Gaba directed the educational show, "Batang Bibbo!", which also starred Barcelo. With the launching of GMA News TV, Gaba hosted the magazine show "Pop Talk", since its premiere in March 2011. After a seven-year run, "Art Angel" concluded and was replaced by "Sabadabadog!" with Gaba as its host, until November 2011. He later joined the morning show "Unang Hirit", reuniting with his former co-host, Arcangel.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, GMA News TV launched the series "New Normal: The Survival Guide"; Gaba, alongside Rovilson Fernandez, remotely hosted "Home Work"—an informative show sharing life hacks at home during the quarantine. GMA Network also aired a limited rerun of "Art Angel" in May; Gaba then addressed the former supporters of the show on social media while he expressed his hopes for the show to return someday with new episodes. In November of the same year, he resumed hosting "Pop Talk" after production was postponed. In October 2021, Gaba bid farewell as "Pop Talk" ended after its tenth year.
2021–present: Net 25.
Prior to "Pop Talk"'s conclusion, Gaba already appears and co-hosts on the Net 25 morning news and talk show, "Kada Umaga", since its premiere in August 2021. He hosts the segments "Toni Knows" and "Tonipet's Take Out".
Personal life.
Gaba converted to Iglesia ni Cristo in 2022; he was welcomed personally and in social media by his "Kada Umaga" co-host, Wej Cudiamat. He also co-owns a creative agency where he serves as a film director.
References.
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