Bernard Palanca

Early life

His maternal grandfather, Armando Goyena (real name: José Revilla), was also an actor as is his younger brother, Mico Palanca. He is the son of Bernard Palanca, Sr., a race car driver, who died when Bernard, Jr. was just a child. He is also the grandson of businessman and philanthropist Carlos Palanca, Jr. of the prestigious Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. His mother, Pita Revilla-Palanca (now Revilla-Hocson) comes from the Revilla Clan. One of his aunts is former actress/Camay model/jewelry designer Marites Revilla-Araneta. Cita Revilla-Puyat also a Camay model is his aunt. Bianca Araneta-Elizalde, a supermodel and daughter of Marites is his cousin. Tina Revilla-Valencia a former TV host is also his aunt. Another showbiz relation is actor-businessman Johnny Revilla married to singer Janet Basco. Palanca is known to be a versatile actor and has worked with all the famous actors and actresses in Philippine Cinema. He has Chinese ancestry from his father's side.

Career

A member of ABS CBN's Star Magic stable, Palanca was part of "The Hunks" together with Piolo Pascual, Jericho Rosales, Diether Ocampo, and Carlos Agassi and the defunct band Bizkit Factory that was featured in the movie Kahit Isang Saglit. He is a Star Magic Batch 5 alumni. Palanca also had hosting stint in the Filipino local music television channel myx on its myx Live! program.

Palanca was also once an endorser for San Miguel Beer Pale Pilsen and currently for Beer na Beer.

Network switches

Palanca is a member of ABS-CBN Star Magic talents but he did not renew his contract after the expiration. He decide to fuse on GMA Network and became one of the cast of primetime series Gagambino where he worked with Dennis Trillo, Katrina Halili and Ryza Cenon. After Gagambino, Bernard appeared again in the afternoon hit drama series co-starred with Heart Evangelista and JC de Vera in the remake of Ngayon at Kailanman aired on GMA Network.

Palanca also got a short role on Philippine remake of Rosalinda. He did a guesting role on GMA's rival station ABS-CBN via May Bukas Pa for a short role. He was a regular cast on GMA's fantasy series called Panday Kids but the management allowed him to do some role on their rival station ABS-CBN's program Rosalka top-billed by Empress Schuck as well.

He was once part of GMA Network's Philippine remake of Koreanovela Autumn in My Heart - Endless Love and as of 2013, he is back on his home network ABS-CBN. Palanca plays Diego Buenavista in the 2015 remake of Pangako Sa 'Yo, a role originally played by Jestoni Alarcon.

Personal life

Palanca has already been publicly open about his past drug addiction and admitted he went into rehabilitation during his showbiz hiatus. He was also known for his long-term relationship with actress Rica Peralejo and was once married to actress Meryll Soriano, the eldest daughter of presenter and actor Willie Revillame.

On August 27, 2007, Soriano gave birth to their son, Elijah Pineda (6.5 lbs, 10:01 a.m.) at Makati Medical Center. Her mother, Bec-Bec Soriano, rushed her to hospital, while and Palanca and his mother Pita arrived later. Revillame himself promised pay the bills.

After Palanca and Soriano separated, Palanca dated Jerika Ejercito, daughter of former President and now Mayor of Manila Joseph Ejercito Estrada. Ejercito gave birth to a baby boy named Isaiah Joseph Ejercito Palanca on May 7. Palanca and Ejercito are on good terms with Palanca's former wife, Soriano.