# Bangs Garcia

Valerie "Bangs" Pablo Garcia-Birchmore (Tagalog pronunciation:; born May 26, 1987) is a Filipino-British former model and actress.

## Early life and education

Garcia attended Ateneo de Davao University, where she was part of the university's theater and dance groups. While studying for a Nursing degree, she participated in the Mindanao-wide talent search Campus Idols, in 2004, and was awarded a co-hosting stint in ABS-CBN Davao's local variety show KSP: Kapamilya Sabado Party.

## Career

In 2005, upon the invitation of Close-Up, who was a major sponsor of Campus Idols; Garcia joined ABS-CBN's Close-Up To Fame talent search, where she finished a runner-up. In the same year, she appeared as the best friend of Cindy Kurleto's Greta in Daddy Di Do Du. She also auditioned for Let's Go! and the first teen-edition of Pinoy Big Brother, eventually choosing the sitcom over the reality show.
Garcia was a series regular on Let's Go! and its final season, renamed Gokada Go!, where she played the emo chick Bangs. Originally credited using her real name, her character in the sitcom eventually gave birth to her screen name.
In 2009, Garcia played leading lady to Jake Cuenca's titular Palos and appeared in TV shows Katorse and Kambal sa Uma and in films Marino and Shake, Rattle & Roll XI.
In the second season of Midnight DJ, she portrayed Samantha "Samgirl"—introduced as the Midnight DJ team's researcher, resident psychic and romantic interest to Oyo Sotto's Samboy—Garcia had to leave show upon landing a lead role in Magkano ang Iyong Dangal?, taking over Roxanne Guinoo.
She appeared in the horror films Bulong and Segunda Mano, both in 2011, and was awarded Best Supporting Actress in the 2011 PASADO Awards for her performance in latter film.
Garcia played the titular character in the period drama psychological thriller Lauriana in 2013 and was awarded Best Actress in the PASADO Awards following year.

## Personal life

In 2016, Garcia married British-Filipino businessman Lloyd Birchmore in London. They had another ceremony in Boracay in 2017. The couple have two daughters.
On July 19, 2024, Garcia announced that she is a naturalized British citizen.

## Filmography
### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2005 | KSP: Kapamilya Sabado Party | Herself ― host | Credited as "Val Garcia" |
| 2006–07 | Let's Go! | Bangs | Credited as "Valerie Garcia" |
| 2007 | Your Song | Angie | Episode: "What Are the Chances" |
| 2007–14 | ASAP | Herself / Performer | |
| 2007 | Lastikman | Angie | Credited as "Valerie Garcia" |
| 2007 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Sheila | Episode: "Cellphone" |
| 2007 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Laura's cousin | Episode: "Larawan" |
| 2007 | Gokada Go! | Bangs | |
| 2008 | Palos | Sylvia | |
| 2009 | Kambal sa Uma | Ynez Ocampo | |
| 2009 | Katorse | Shakira | |
| 2009–10 | Precious Hearts Romances Presents: My Cheating Heart | Arlyn Peralta | |
| 2010 | Midnight DJ | Samgirl | |
| 2010 | Magkano ang Iyong Dangal? | Carmela | |
| 2010–11 | Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Kristine | Diana Montero | |
| 2012 | Hiyas | Salve | |
| 2012 | Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo | Mia Pedroso | |
| 2012–13 | Luv U | Jessica Casimsiman | |
| 2014 | The Legal Wife | Young Sandra de Villa | |
| 2014 | Dyesebel | Prinsesa Coralia | |
| 2015 | Mac & Chiz | Apple | |
| 2015 | Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal | Herself - Briefcase Number 20 | |
| 2016 | Ang Panday | Ida / Venus Virus | |
| 2017 | Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin | young Victoria Quintana-Dela Vega | |

### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2007 | Sponge Cola: Movie | Videostore Dream Girl | Video short |
| 2009 | Marino | Aya | |
| 2009 | Shake, Rattle & Roll XI | Chari | Segment: "Lamanglupa" |
| 2010 | Cinco | Rowena | Segment: "Puso" |
| 2011 | Bulong | Ellen | |
| 2011 | Segunda Mano | Anna | |
| 2012 | Posas | Grace Resuello | |
| 2012 | The Reunion | Shirley | |
| 2012 | Migrante | | |
| 2012 | Coming Soon | | |
| 2013 | Burgos | | |
| 2013 | Lauriana | Lauriana | |
| 2013 | Sabine | Sabine | |
| 2014 | So It's You | Rose | |
| 2015 | Baka Siguro Yata | Melissa | Credited as "Valerie "Bangs" Garcia" |
| 2015 | No Boyfriend Since Birth | Hannah | |
| 2015 | Manila's Finest | Miriam de Dios | |
| 2015 | El Brujo | | |
| 2016 | Dukot | Girlie | |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Work | Organization | Category | Result |
| 2012 | Segunda Mano | PASADO Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Won |
| 2014 | Lauriana | PASADO Awards | Best Actress | Won |
| 2015 | Baka Siguro Yata | Cinema One Originals | Best Actress | Nominated |