A popular Filipino pop and jazz singer, Kuh Ledesma was born on March 16, 1995 and is known in the Philippines as the Pop Diva. Kuh Ledesma has been performing for over 25 years in the music industry, and was also the first Filipino singer to have received the Salem Music Awards in London in March 1989. The video below is of her singing Some Good Things Never Last, originally by Barbara Streisand.
Known in the Philippines as Mr. Pure Energy, Edgardo Jose Martin Santiago Valenciano, better known as Gary Valenciano or simply Gary V., is a Filipino musician, composer, actor, producer, and gospel singer, especially those songs that became theme songs for movies. He is also known for his energetic dance moves.
Mark Bautista is a Filipino singer and actor who won second place in the reality TV search Star For A Night. To date, he has released four albums with Viva Records and has also starred in a TV series, a co-host in a noontime variety show, and was also part of a movie.
Gerald Padua Santos is a Filipino singer and actor. He is the grand champion of the second season of Pinoy Pop Superstar, hosted by Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid. To date, Gerald Santos is the youngest winner of the said contest, and is dubbed as The Boy Balladeer.
Undoubtedly one of the most successful Filipino singers of all time, Lea Salonga (Maria Ligaya Carmen Imutan Salonga-Chien) has achieved worldwide success that other singers can only dream of. Lea is well-known for her portrayal of Kim in Miss Saigon, as well as Eponine. She is also the first Asian to play the said role in Broadway. She is also the first to win an Olivier, Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, and Theatre World Awards for a single role.
On January 10, 2004, she married Robert Chien, and has a daughter named Beverly Nicole who was born on May 16, 2006. Below are two videos, one of Lea Salonga singing Sun and Moon in Miss Saigon, and another one where she sings Don’t Cry for me Argentina live.
Marifil Nina Girado was born on November 1, 1980 and is more popularly known as Nina. Often dubbed as the Philippine’s Soul Siren, she has released 4 albums to date and is known for her vocal belting. Most people often remark that she looks like Mariah Carey and her vocal ability to sing in whistle register (C3-G7) often adds to the description.
Known as the Philippine’s Queen of Soul, Jaya is a Philippine singer with African-American ancestry. Born Maria Luisa Ramsey, she started as a backup dancer for her mother Elizabeth Ramsey, a comedienne-singer. Jaya is now one of the hosts of SOP, a noontime show she co-hosts with Regine Velasquez, Kyla, and Ogie Alcasid.
The Pin-Up Girls was formed back in 1996 by Mondo Castro (vocals, guitar), Pamela Aquino (vocals, guitar) and Jeng Tan (vocals, bass). They eventually added guitarist Ryan Nachura and drummer Noel Garcia and began performing New Wave covers at local clubs. The band has often been tagged as the first Philippine band to have been signed up under a foreign recording label.
On July 2003, the Pin-Up Girls made their American debut with the critically acclaimed five-track EP Taste Test. The limited edition CD quickly sold out, and the dreamy ballad “Caress” hit No. 1 on NU-107 in the Philippines and on “Flashback Alternatives” in New Jersey.
This video, Power to Unite, was directed by Louie Ignacio and also recently won in the prestigious New York Festivals last February 1. The said music video won a Gold Medal Award under the entertainment category. The music video was produced and the song composed by Elvira Go of the National Bible Quiz, Inc., with Rene Martinez performing the song and Charo Unite providing the melody. This is also the first time for a Filipino to win in the entertainment category in the New York Festivals.
Make Your Momma Proud (M.Y.M.P) is a Filipino acoustic band known for covering old songs and reviving them into acoustic songs. The band is composed of Juris Fernandez on lead vocals and Chin Alcantara on guitar and occasional vocals.
The band is an easy favorite among romantics but at the same time receives heavy criticism due to the fact that they do very few original songs.