Sarah Lahbati Explained

Sarah Lahbati
Birth Date:9 October 1993
Birth Place:Geneva, Switzerland
Occupation:Actress
Years Active:2009–present
Agent:
Children:2
Relatives:Gutierrez family (in-laws)
Awards:StarStruck 5 Ultimate female survivor

Sarah Lahbati (born 9 October 1993) is a Filipino actress. She gained media attention as a finalist on the 5th season of reality show StarStruck,[1] a Philippine overall talent show broadcast on GMA Network. Lahbati declared StarStruck V's Ultimate Female Survivors after nine weeks of the competition. Together with Steven Silva, they each won P1.5 million cash prize and an exclusive contract with GMA Network, with a minimum guarantee of P3.5 million.[2]

Early life and education

Lahbati was born in Geneva, Switzerland to a Filipina mother and a Moroccan father. She began her studies in Switzerland before moving to the Philippines, where she studied at the Immaculate Conception Academy in Cavite.

Career

Lahbati made her screen debut as Bong Revilla's daughter in Hokus Pokus.[3] After joining and winning the fifth season of hit reality show StarStruck, Lahbati topbilled GMA Network's drama series, Kokak (2011) and Makapiling Kang Muli (2012) along with her real-life partner Richard Gutierrez.[4] [5] [6] She also starred in different GMA shows such as Love Bug Presents: Exchange of Hearts (2011), Little Star, Koreana and Time of My Life. She also performed in GMA Network's variety show Party Pilipinas and Sunday All Stars as a regular artist.

In 2015, Lahbati transferred to the rival network, ABS-CBN, after her contract under GMA Artist Center expired. She officially joined Viva Artists Agency in June 2015.[7] Tagged as Dance Goddess, Lahbati is a regular performer on ABS-CBN's Sunday variety show, ASAP.[8] [9] [10]

Lahbati was cast in the ABS-CBN soap opera, Written in Our Stars, starring Toni Gonzaga, Piolo Pascual, Jolina Magdangal and Sam Milby which started early 2017.[11] In 2017, she was also cast as Valentina, the Goddess of Snakes, in the movie Darna released by Star Cinema and Reality Entertainment.[12]

Lahbati appears in E! Philippines reality show It Takes Gutz To Be a Gutierrez.[13]

She is currently working as supporting actress in ABS-CBN playing extra and minor projects.

Personal life

On March 14, 2020, Lahbati married actor Richard Gutierrez in Taguig. They have two sons together, Zion (born April 29, 2013) and Kai (born March 21, 2018). Lahbati confirmed on March 1, 2024, her separation from Richard Gutierrez but stated that they are coparenting their sons, Zion and Kai.[14]

Lawsuit

In late 2012, Lahbati used her Twitter account to express her dissatisfaction with her network, GMA and expressed her desire to be released from her contract. On January 10, 2013, GMA Network and GMA Films president, Annette Gozon-Abrogar, counter-sued Lahbati,[15] and on the following day, January 11, 2013, the network filed a formal complaint against Sarah Lahbati for breach of contract. She was facing multiple charges.[16] In a related article published in PEP last 9 January 2013, Felipe Gozon, the head of GMA Network, released a statement indicating he did not guarantee protection that Sarah Lahbati said she was due.[17] A few days later, Lahbati left the Philippines for Switzerland "to study".[18] In August 2013, Lahbati returned to the Philippines to face the charges against her. It was later revealed that Lahbati left for Switzerland to give birth to her son with Richard Gutierrez that May 2013 at the age of 19.

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Network
2009–2010 StarStruck Herself / Contestant / Ultimate Female Survivor GMA Network
2010–2012 Party PilipinasHerself/Performer
2010 Love Bug Presents: Exchange Of Hearts Rachel
2010–2011 Little Star Paula Estrella
2011 Maynila: Bestfriends & A Girl Ina Kariran
Time of My Life Pia
Spooky Nights Presents: Sumpa Sarah
Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin young Amara Luna
2011–2012 Ruben Marcelino's Kokak Kokak/Kara
2012 Makapiling Kang Muli Graciela Montes
2013 IndioYnaguiguinid
2013–2015 Sunday All Stars Host/Herself/Performer
2014 Seasons of Love: BF for Hire, GF for Life Samantha "Sam" Villareal
2014–2019 It Takes Gutz to Be a Gutierrez Herself E! Southeast Asia/TV5
2015 Ipaglaban Mo: Tiwalang Nasira Nora ABS-CBN
2015–2017ASAP Herself / co-host / Performer
2015Maalaala Mo Kaya: Karaoke Monica Cuenco
2016 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Gitara Mia
My Super D Ulah / Tiradora
2017 The Promise of Forever Elizabeth Dela Paz
2018 Eat Bulaga! Herself / Co-host GMA Network
2023E.A.T. Herself / Guest TV5
The Iron Heart cameo Kapamilya Channel
2024Frontline Pilipinas GuestTV5
2024 Lumuhod Ka Sa LupaMercy Balmores-Aguirre
2024Eat BulagaGuest player TV5

Film

Year Title Role Film Production
2010 White House Pim Regal Entertainment
2012 Queen GMA Films, Regal Entertainment
2013 Seduction Trina Regal Entertainment
2014 Basement Eliza GMA Films
2015 Liwanag sa Dilim Minerva APT Entertainment
2016 The Achy Breaky Hearts Martha Star Cinema
2017 Ang Pagsanib Kay Leah dela Cruz Viva Films
2018 Fantastica Cameo Star Cinema, Viva Films
2019 Samantha APT Entertainment, M-Zet Production

Notes and References

  1. News: Ever seen The Black Book? . 23 June 2011 . Manila Bulletin. 4 July 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120913045937/http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/323878/ever-seen-the-black-book . 13 September 2012 .
  2. News: PEP: Steven Silva, Sarah Lahbati big winners in StarStruck V. GMA News. 6 December 2015.
  3. Web site: StarStruck on Instagram: "#StarStruckTrivia". https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/uJ4dIpTX8j . 24 December 2021 . registration. 5 March 2019 .
  4. News: Sarah Lahbati is Kokak. The Philippine Star. 6 December 2015.
  5. Web site: Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati: A Journey of Love GMANetwork.com - Entertainment - Home of Kapuso shows and stars - Photos. GMA Network. 6 December 2015.
  6. News: Sarah Lahbati Says Her Makapiling Kang Muli Co Star Richard Gutierrez Is Her Inspiration. Philippine Entertainment Portal. 6 December 2015. Rommel. Gonzales.
  7. Web site: Sarah Lahbati signs up with VIVA Artists Agency.
  8. Web site: KAKULAY SCOOP: ASAP Dance Goddess Sarah Lahbati dance an Egyptian-inspired number with Joseph Marco . KAKULAY SCOOP. 6 December 2015. Kakulay. Mo.
  9. News: Sarah Lahbati sizzles in sexy 'ASAP' number anew. ABS-CBN News. 6 December 2015. en-US.
  10. News: Sarah Lahbati pinalakpakan, umani ng papuri sa ipinakitang akting sa MMK. Philippine Daily Inquirer. 6 December 2015.
  11. News: Sarah Lahbati Joins ABS CBN New Teleserye Written In Our Stars . Philippine Entertainment Portal. 6 December 2015. James Patrick. Anarcon.
  12. News: Sarah gaganap na Valentina sa 'Darna' ni Angel. Philippine Daily Inquirer. 4 December 2016.
  13. Web site: Sarah Lahbati gets sentimental as eldest son with Richard Gutierrez turns 8. . 28 April 2021.
  14. News: Uson. Melanie . TIMELINE: A look back at Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati's relationship. March 3, 2024 . The Philippine Star. March 2, 2024.
  15. News: Annette Gozon-Abrogar sues Sarah Lahbati for libel . Philippine Entertainment Portal. 11 January 2013.
  16. News: GMA-7 files formal complaint against Sarah Lahbati for breach of contract . Philippine Entertainment Portal. 11 January 2013.
  17. Joyce Jimenez (10 January 2013) Atty. Felipe Gozon on Sarah Lahbati's "guaranteed protection" claim: "She did not ask for protection and I did not guarantee that I will protect her.". PEP.ph. Retrieved on 17 July 2013.
  18. http://entertainment.inquirer.net/76767/sarah-lahbati-evades-cases-by-fleeing-the-country Sarah Lahbati evades cases by fleeing the country