Rustom Padilla is now Bebe Gandanghari

Rustom Padilla came back from a three-month stay from the U.S.A. last Thursday, January 15, 2009. Rustom, who studied modeling in New York, surprised "Startalk" at the airport with his female classy look and model bearing. When "Startalk" got hold of Rustom, the first thing they asked whether airport officials had any difficulties distinguishing him and his passport photo. "Medyo," smiled Rustom. "Pero hindi naman. Pero, pinapapunta muna nila ako sa foreigners, so, sabi ko na Pilipino ako. They just asked me to take off my shades. I think natutuwa sila na makita ako. Ma'am ang tawag sa akin so, I feel like a woman." Because of that "female feeling," Rustom has taken it to the next level by changing his name into something more attune to his new life. "I'm a woman, so call me Bebe [pronounced, "bibi"]," the artist formerly known as Rustom told "Startalk." "I'd really appreciate if you call me Bebe. Rustom's not here. Bebe's here, she's alive and kicking! Bebe's a character that people are gonna watch and I'm gonna portray...so, Bebe's here to stay." Bebe stands for Binibining Gandanghari, and it's a role Rustom definitely wants to portray. "That's my name," Bebe said. "She is a God-fearing, loving lady. I am a woman. I am a woman. Bebe's a woman...Emotionally, physically, biologically, spiritually, psychologically, socially..." at this point, Bebe's seriousness faded and he quipped, "Ano pa ang gusto mo, financially?" Though a lot has changed in Bebe's overall physique, he didn't comment on whether he was drinking estrogen pills or has undergone any operation. At this time, he can be proud of his vital statistics. "I think it's 35-26-35," he said. Will Bebe's family react once he sees them? "I'm sure everything will be fine," said Bebe. "Wala naman akong sinasaktan na tao. Wala naman akong ginagawang masama. I do my own decisions and as long as I know that it is responsible. I'm only asking for pang-unawa." WALKING THE RAMP AT "STARTALK." Bebe guests today live at Startalk to talk about his plans now that he's back home. Startalk's Butch Francisco gives a welcome remark ("Long live, Bebe!") as Bebe goes onstage to give the viewers a taste of New York style modeling. Once seated, Joey de Leon immediately went for the "Question": Has he undergone a sex change operation? "I'd rather not comment about it sa mga panahon na ito," Bebe said. "So, I hope napagbibigyan nyo ako doon." But for now, is Bebe willing to undergo a sex change? "That's a hard decision, so I'd rather not talk about it," said Bebe. "I'm in the middle of everything." Did he decline now to have it? "No comment" Lolit interjected, "Bakit Bebe? Parang bibi na gansa!?" Bebe laughed and explained, "Actually, my full name is Binibining Gandanghari. So, my nickname is Bebe." Joey, who mused about Bebe's full name, asked, "Bakit Gandanghari, Bebe? Bakit hindi Dalawanghari or Isanghari? Or bakit hindi Gandangreyna?" "I was born with it," quipped Bebe. TIME IN NEW YORK. Bebe related how big the preparation was in his travel and study in New York. "I used to be big before," he explained, referring to his body structure. "So, physically, I had training and did a lot of Pilates para lang mag-change ang structure ko. And then, may training din sa modeling para matuto yung paglalakad. It's not easy." By the looks of it, Bebe definitely succeeded in his goals since he is no longer recognizable as Rustom Padilla—the once handsome dramatic actor who was formerly married to actress Carmina Villaroel and brother to action star Robin Padilla. So, what made Rustom change his name to Bebe? Bebe simply said, "Because I'm not Rustom...I'm Bebe." Why? "Because, hindi ba parang katawa-tawa naman kung pangalan ko ay Rustom?" laughed Bebe. During his time in New York, did Bebe take any drugs or medication to make him look more feminine? "Not yet," Bebe said. "Everything was done naturally. So, yeah..." CARMINA AND ZOREN. Lolit could no longer contain her curiosity and blurted out that Bebe looked like Carmina. "Alam mo, ganito ‘yan," began Lolit, "pag nagkita kayo ni Zoren Legaspi at nakita niya na kamukhang-kamukha mo si Carmina, paano ‘yan pag ligawan ka niya?" "Sabihin ko sa kanya, bumalik siya sa asawa niya," smiled Bebe. "Ayaw mo kay Zoren?" asked Lolit. Bebe laughed. After that, he said, "Hindi, gusto ko, silang dalawa. They have to be together and they'll live happily ever after. That's my wish for them." So, if ever that Bebe would fall in love with an actor, who would it be? "Shy ako," gushed Bebe. "But, you know what, siyempre yung gusto mo yung someone responsible. Someone who'll inspire you." If Bebe would do a Zoren Legaspi directed film with Carmina Villaroel, what roles would he and Carmina play? "Sisters na lang," laughed Bebe. BEBE'S LOVE AND FAMILY LIFE. Is there anything romantic happening right now in Bebe's life? "Hindi pa, e," said Bebe. "Secret muna. I'd rather not comment about it because it's not happening yet. Nasa stage pa lang na I'm not even sure." However, since Bebe's writing a tell-all book, would he include his love life there? "Ah, matagal pa ‘yan, matagal pa," said Bebe. "Two years pa." Lolit asked, "isusulat mo din ba ang nakarelasyon mo na hunk actor?" "Well, wala akong nakarelasyon na hunk actor," smiled Bebe. "Again, you might be referring to Rustom. I'm not Rustom." How did Bebe's family react when he said that Rustom was dead and Bebe is here to stay? "Hindi pa nila nakikita si Bebe," Bebe said. "Wala pa. Bebe's here to stay." MOMMY EVA'S REACTION. Bebe's mom Eva Padilla has said that she wasn't happy about Bebe's choice. "Wala na tayong magagawa doon. So, tanggap na namin siya. Noong una, hindi ko kaya pero kahit hindi ako happy, wala akong magagawa." Mommy Eva, however, had only advice for her Bebe. "Kahit na siya ganoon, huwag niya gagawin yung labag sa Diyos. Nangako naman siya." Bebe, who got the message, said "I hope she'll be happy. Rest assured I'll be a good girl." What did Mommy Eva mean about, "Huwag ka lang gagawa ng labag sa Diyos"? "Well, siguro feeling niya, when you're in this kind of life," explained Bebe, "you tend to be promiscuous. You tend to be sexually active. That's not the case. I value relationships, and I value yung connection ng tao. And I don't think it's bad." Does Bebe have any plans about settling down in the near future? "I don't wanna grow old alone," Bebe said. "That's for sure." JUST LIKE AUDREY HEPBURN. Bebe said that he wanted to be like his fashion icon Audrey Hepburn. Locally, he looks up to Melanie Marquez, another modeling icon. "Kung mayroon akong ina-admire, e, dahil sa fashion sense. E, Melanie Marquez," said Bebe. "She's a very good model." EXCITING CHANGES IN CAREER. Now that Bebe's back, what does he have in store for the public? "Marami," said Bebe. "They will see her on stage, TV, in movies." In TV, will he appear as Bebe? "Yes!" smiled Bebe. Right now, is Bebe missing anything about Rustom Padilla? "Wala," she said. "Rustom lived a full life, an honest life. I'm very happy now, that's all I can say." Now that Rustom is long gone, what does Bebe have to say to the public? Bebe looked and calmly said, "Life is short, and do not be afraid to be who you are and what you are because that's the only way to happiness. Only God can see your heart, and that's the most important thing." - Philippine Entertainment Portal