MeetGwen Eigenmann, the unico hijo of Jaclyn Jose, one of showbiz’s prized gems, who passed away on March 2, 2024.
He is half-brother and younger sibling of actress Andi Eigenmann.
Here’s more about Gwen as dug up by PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal)..
BACKGROUND
NAME, AGE, BIRTHDAY
His full name is Gwen Garimond Ilagan Guck, born on June 15, 2001.
Turning 23 this year, he stands at the cusp of adulthood, carrying the legacy of his talented mother.
FAMILY
Jaclyn doted on Gwen, “the only man” in her life.
On his birthdays, the multi-awarded actress would post his photos on Instagram with endearing captions, such as “I love you so much!!! My love, my soul, my life.”
Gwen’s father, Kenneth Garimond Ilagan, is a guitarist who played for the ’90s Filipino bands The Dawn, True Faith, Violent Playground and Xaga, which was later renamed Rivermaya.
He is a loving uncle to Andi’s kids: Ellie Eigenmann, Koa Eigenmann Alipayo, and Keliana Alohi Eigenmann Alipayo.
In an Instagram post dated February 23, 2020, Jaclyn wrote about her struggles as a single mom, “…I am a single mom of 2, I worked so hard to make them feel that everything was okay.
“Napuputulan ng ilaw o di makabayad rental, but that doesn’t mean na ipapasa ko problema ko sa mga anak ko…
“I haven’t gotten a single centavo sa mga anak ko.”
Jaclyn’s parenting style was to allow her kids as they grew older to decide for themselves and to be accountable for the choices they made.
She said in the same post, “Kakayanin ko lahat para sa mga anak ko. I did all my best to raise them.
“Happy lang…no controlling para pag time naman nila, gawin nila naman para sa mga anak nila…
“Let them. At the end, they will [be] more responsible…us parents must understand our children. let them leave, madadapa iyan pero babangon kung hahayaan natin sila.”
She also left this reminder for all parents: “Wag i-obligate your children to pay your dreams, they have their own too.”
EDUCATION
Gwen studied at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City.
He had been offered acting projects, but he would rather complete his studies first.
On November 9, 2014, during the awards night of the QCinema International Film Festival, Jaclyn told PEP.ph she had an inkling of what Gwen, who was 13 then, would want to pursue as a profession
She said, “Mukhang editor o scorer ng pelikula ang gusto niya.”
Ever supportive of Gwen’s aspirations, Jaclyn said she has introduced him to the intricacies of showbiz.
“Isinasama ko siya kapag may mga aspeto ng palabas.
“So, indie, mainstream, ipinapakilala ko sa kanya lahat at maliwanag naman niyang naiintindihan.
“I’m letting my son na makapasok sa mundo ko. So, unti-unti ko siyang ipinapasok.
“Sa indie, sa main, soap… para makita niya yung variations ng bawat pagganap. Makita niya yung klase nung trabaho ko.”
This led to countless times of Gwen escorting his mom to awarding ceremonies and premiere nights.
MUSIC CAREER
Like his father Kenneth, Gwen is also deeply passionate about music.
And just as Jaclyn had expected her son to be a film scorer, Gwen found himself a spot in the music industry.
On December 14, 2020, Gwen sang a song for his cousin Abby Asistio when she went live on Kumu for her birthday.
He gave a live performance of the song High, which he revealed was one of the songs from his pop punk band, Suspiria Pink.
Gwen is the bassist of Suspiria Pink that released an album under Offshore Music Philippines.
His bandmates are Diego Cerrudo, the lead vocalist and guitarist, Carlos Benson, the drummer and songwriter, and Waki Ignacio, the lead guitarist.
On January 26, 2024, he and his Suspiria Pink bandmates released their album The Algebraic Sum of Not Being A Rotisserie Chicken still via Offshore Music Philippines.
