Denise Ysabel Barbacena-Velasco (born November 2, 1994) is a Filipino former actress, singer, comedienne and popularly known as finalist of the first season of the reality show, Protégé: The Battle For The Big Break (2011), a reality search contest, created by GMA Network as an official protégé of Gloc-9.
She is best known for her collaborations with Gloc-9, such as "Hari ng Tondo" and "Dapat Tama". As an actress, she appears in the gag show Bubble Gang as well as other television series such as A1 Ko Sa 'Yo, Legally Blind and Little Nanay. In film, she became part of the main cast of 1st ko si 3rd.
Career In 2011, Barbacena became a contestant for the talent search show Protégé: The Battle For The Big Break of GMA Network where she represented Mega Manila. Barbacena was chosen by of Gloc 9 to be his protégé in the said television show. She made it to the finals after singing "Pag-ibig Ko'y Pansinin," which was originally recorded by Faith Cuneta. After being eliminated on November 6, 2011, she landed on the eighth place.
Barbacena was featured in Gloc 9's song "Hari ng Tondo." It was used as a theme song for the 2011 film Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story and their collaboration won the Best Theme Song in the 60th FAMAS Awards. Another collaboration with Gloc 9 happened in 2013 as they were tapped by GMA News and Public Affairs to do "Dapat Tama," an advocacy campaign jingle for public awareness during mid-term Philippine elections in 2013. In 2014, the campaign including the music video of "Dapat Tama" gained merit honors in the 49th Anvil Awards given by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines under the category Public Relations Programs in a Sustained Basis. For winning the Anvil Awards, the Philippine House of Representatives adopted resolution number 1694 commending the achievement of the "Dapat Tama" campaign.
In 2013, Barbacena joined the cast of Bubble Gang where she had done many comedy skits including spoofing Yaya Dub, the character of Maine Mendoza in "Kalyeserye." Incidentally, in 2017, Barbacena recorded the singles "Aking Tadhana" and "To Be Yours, I'm Destined" for the original soundtrack of Destined to Be Yours, which top billed by Maine Mendoza and Alden Richards. In the pilot episode of Destined to be Yours in February 2017, "Aking Tadhana" topped the iTunes PH list of songs.
She also starred in the comedy series A1 Ko Sa 'Yo in 2016. Barbacena was included in the main cast of the indie film 1st ko si 3rd making her film debut.
Personal life In 2020, Barbacena finished her bachelor's degree in medical technology from Our Lady of Fatima University. On September 29, 2023, she married her non-showbiz partner, Carlos Velasco.
Discography
Singles "Hari Ng Tondo" - from the original soundtrack of Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story "Dapat Tama" (ft. Gloc-9) - GMA Network campaign jingle for Philippine elections of 2013 "Papel" (ft. Joey Ayala & Gloc9 a song finalist for PhilPop Music Festival 2013) "Aking Tadhana" and "To Be Yours, I'm Destined" from the original soundtrack of Destined to be Yours "My Jagiya" (with Janno Gibbs) - from the original soundtrack of My Korean Jagiya "Last Thing I'd Do" - local soundtrack of About Time "Aking Mundo" - from the original soundtrack of Bolera "Akin Na 'To" - from the original soundtrack of Abot-Kamay na Pangarap "Pangako Hanggang sa Dulo" - from the original soundtrack of The Missing Husband
Filmography
Television + Year Title Role Notes 2011 Protégé: The Battle for the Big Break Herself / Guest Contestant 2011–2013 Party Pilipinas Performer 2012 / 2017Tunay Na Buhay Episode Guest 2013–2022 Bubble Gang Herself / Various Mainstay 2013–2014 Sunday All Stars Herself / Guest Performer 2014 Basta Every Day, Happy! Guest Performer 2015Sabado Badoo Cameo RoleMaynila: Sikretong Malupit Sandra Episode RoleLittle Nanay Trixie Guest Role 2016Maynila: Lucky I'm In Love Jane Episode RoleThe Millionaire's Wife Grace Guest RoleKarelasyon Elisa Episode RoleA1 Ko Sa 'Yo Kaycee MolinaSupport RoleDear Uge: My Millenial Mom Majie Episode RoleSuperstar Duets Herself / Guest Contestant 2017Legally Blind Sabrina Guest RoleAlyas Robin Hood Prisoner 1Wish Ko Lang: Si Aileen at si Alexa AlexaEpisode Role Road Trip Herself / GuestMagpakailanman: My Heart Belongs to You (The Bud and Gloria Brown Story) Gloria 2018Contessa Miadora Jimenez Support Role 2019 TODA One I Love young DynaGuest Role Dragon Lady young Ginger Hanggang sa Dulo ng Buhay Ko BrookeSupport Role Beautiful Justice ShineGuest Role 2020 I Can See You DeedeeSeries title: Love on the Balcony 2021–22 All-Out Sundays Herself / Various Performer 2021 Owe My Love Dolores SantosGuest Role 2022 Artikulo 247 Chi ChiSupport Role Happy Together: Kotse Esther Episode Role 2022–24 Abot-Kamay na Pangarap Dra. Eulalia "Eula" Sarmiento†Recurring Role
Film + Film performances Year Title Role Notes 2014 1st ko si 3rd Main cast, 2014 Cinemalaya entry (English title: Third Is My First)
Awards and nominations +The name of the award ceremony, year presented, nominee(s) of the award, award category, and the result of the nominationAward ceremonyYearCategoryNominee(s)/work(s)Result Aliw Award 2019Best New Female ArtistHerself
See also Gloc-9
References
External links