Gabrielle Baltao Dela Merced (born June 10, 1982) is a Filipina racing driver, model, and television personality.

Gaby Dela Merced
Merced in 2009
Born
Gabrielle Baltao Dela Merced

(1982-06-10) June 10, 1982 (age 42)
Occupations
  • Racing driver
  • model
  • television presenter

Biography

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Gabrielle "Gaby" Baltao Dela Merced (born June 10, 1982) took public interest when she became one of the few Filipinas to dominate the Asian Formula 3 circuit. She is the only Filipina who competed in the full season of the series and her efforts to a 1st Runner-up placing in the Philippine National Formula championship. Gaby appeared in a shampoo commercial that highlighted Filipinas with “power, brain and beauty.” According to Gaby she was willing to try any sport to join the Olympics and when she got into motor sports, she knew this was her true calling. “Racing gives me a big sense of freedom, the world is yours, kaya mo lahat-lahat. "She mentioned that even though she came from a broken family, she doesn't show any signs of it, because she believes "life exists to make people happy.”Aside from racing, Gaby is a bonafide sports enthusiast. She also plays flag football and ultimate disc when she has the time. During her younger years, she was a part of the basketball team of her school both in grade school and high school. She has 3 older brothers and 2 younger half-sisters.

Career

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Racing history

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  • 1999: Philippine Challenge, Championship cup
  • 2000: Philippine Slalom Championship, Class wins
  • 2001: Philippine Slalom Championship. Class wins, Ladies Champion
  • 2002: SVI Challenge Cup, Novice Production Class, 3rd overall
  • 2003: Philippine BRC Production Touring Car Championship, 3rd overall
  • 2003: SVI Challenge Cup, 2nd overall
  • 2004: Philippine Formula Toyota Championship, 3rd overall
  • 2004: Formula BMW Asia Scholarship Driver
  • 2006: Asian Formula 3 - 2nd Over-all, National Driver's Championship
  • 2009: 25 Hours Of Thunderhill - Finished 10th in Class-E0, and Won the Series Championship finishing the WERC

TV awards

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  • 2007: 21st PMPC Star Awards - Best Lifestyle Show Hosts (shared with Raymond Gutierrez, Tim Yap, Issa Litton)
  • 2008: Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition 2 (3rd Big Placer)

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Role Channel
2010 Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo Alina ABS-CBN
2008–2014 Studio 23 VJ Studio 23
2008 Gaby's Xtraordinary Files Host ABS-CBN
2007 Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition 2 Celebrity Housemate ABS-CBN
2007 Living It Up Host Q
2007 Slipstream Host Studio 23

Movies

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  • Shake, Rattle & Roll 12 (2010) – as Anna
  • Rosario (2010) – cameo (one of Rosario's friends watching in the Zarsuela scene)

References

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  • PBB Profile
  • FHM Profile
  • Medina, Roy (June 7, 2008). "What drives top racer Gaby dela Merced?". ABS-CBN News Online. ABS-CBN Interactive. Retrieved June 21, 2008. [dead link]