Antonio Jose Ongpauco Gaba (born July 16, 1978) professionally known as Tonipet Gaba (), is a Filipino theater actor, model, and television presenter. He is most notable for hosting the children's arts and crafts show, Art Angel, in 2004. Gaba also served as a longtime presenter of the magazine show, Pop Talk, on GTV (formerly GMA News TV) until his shift to NET25 in 2021. He currently co-hosts the network's morning show Love, Tonipet, and Everythaaang!, with co-host Love Añover.

Early life and career From a young age, Gaba was already fascinated in visual arts as he loved drawing and painting. He majored in Literature and Humanities at the De La Salle University, where he also had a newfound love for the stage.

Theater career Gaba trained under Repertory Philippines. He performed in various plays such as the Philippine productions of Hans Christian Andersen's Honk! and Neil Simon's The Good Doctor. Due to his consecutive television projects, his theater career was put on hold until his comeback as Schroeder in the 2012 Philippine production of You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, produced by 9 Works Theatrical.

Television career

2002: NBN Gaba appeared on the NBN children's educational show Eskwela ng Bayan in 2002. He starred in the segment "Karen's World" as a farmer named Inggo who learns English from Karen Kalabaw, a talking carabao, played by Monica Llamas.

2004–2021: GMA Network In 2004, he co-hosted the arts and crafts children's show, Art Angel, with Pia Arcangel and child actress Krystal Reyes. He remained throughout the entirety of the show, even after Arcangel left in 2010, who was replaced by actress Anne Barcelo. In a separate endeavor in 2008, Gaba directed the educational show, Batang Bibbo!, which also starred Barcelo. With the launching of GMA News TV, Gaba hosted the magazine show Pop Talk, since its premiere in March 2011. After a seven-year run, Art Angel concluded and was replaced by Sabadabadog! with Gaba as its host, until November 2011. He later joined the morning show Unang Hirit, reuniting with his former co-host, Arcangel.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, GMA News TV launched the series New Normal: The Survival Guide; Gaba, alongside Rovilson Fernandez, remotely hosted Home Work—an informative show sharing life hacks at home during the quarantine. GMA Network also aired a limited rerun of Art Angel in May; Gaba then addressed the former supporters of the show on social media while he expressed his hopes for the show to return someday with new episodes. In November of the same year, he resumed hosting Pop Talk after production was postponed. In October 2021, Gaba bid farewell as Pop Talk ended after its tenth year.

2021–present: NET25 Prior to Pop Talk's conclusion, Gaba already appears and co-hosts on the NET25 morning news and talk show, Kada Umaga, since its premiere in August 2021. He hosts the segments "Toni Knows" and "Tonipet's Take Out".

Personal life Gaba converted to Iglesia ni Cristo in 2022; he was welcomed personally and in social media by his Kada Umaga co-host, Wej Cudiamat. He also co-owns a creative agency where he serves as a film director.

Credits

Theater +List of theater credits of Tonipet GabaYearTitleRoleProducerVenue2000Once Upon A MattressPrince DauntlessRepertory PhilippinesWilliam J. Shaw Theater, Shangri-la Plaza MallThe Good DoctorGovernment clerkKiss of the Spider WomanValentinMurder For RentRomeo2001Our TownGeorgeCultural Center of the Philippines ComplexThe Little MermaidCalamariMeralco Theater2002Lagi Kitang Naaalala (A Musical Tribute to Levi Celerio, Atang de la Rama, Lucio San Pedro)PerformerCultural Center of the PhilippinesCultural Center of the Philippines Complex2003Honk! The Ugly DucklingCatTrumpetsMeralco Theater2012You’re a Good Man, Charlie BrownSchroeder9 Works TheatricalCarlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza

Television +List of television credits of Tonipet GabaYearProgramNotes2000A Christmas Prayer: The ABS-CBN Christmas SpecialGuest2002Eskwela ng BayanActor2004Art AngelCo-host2005Pet.KoHost2007Kids on QHostPinoy Meets WorldGuest host2008Batang Bibbo!Director2009Tara! Let's Eat!Host2010The BeatSegment host2011Sabadabadog!HostPop TalkHost2015AlamatVoice actor2020New Normal: A Survival Guide – Home WorkHost2021–2023Kada UmagaHost2023Love, Tonipet, and Everythaaang!Host

Accolades +List of accolades received by Tonipet GabaYearEventCategory/AwardWorkResult200721st PMPC Star Awards for TelevisionBest Children's Show HostArt AngelKids on Q200822nd PMPC Star Awards for TelevisionArt AngelKids on Q2011ENPRESS Golden Screen TV AwardsOutstanding Lifestyle Program HostPop Talk25th PMPC Star Awards for TelevisionBest Children's Show HostArt Angel2013ENPRESS Golden Screen TV AwardsOutstanding Lifestyle Program HostPop Talk201327th PMPC Star Awards for TelevisionBest Morning Show HostUnang Hirit2014ENPRESS Golden Screen TV AwardsOutstanding Lifestyle Program HostPop Talk28th PMPC Star Awards for TelevisionBest Magazine Show Host201529th PMPC Star Awards for Television201630th PMPC Star Awards for Television201610th UPLB Gandingan AwardsBest Morning Show HostsUnang Hirit2018Kung-Gihan Awards 2018Image of the Industry Hospitality Lifestyle TV Program Host of the YearPop Talk202134th PMPC Star Awards for TelevisionBest Lifestyle Show Host

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