# Garry Cruz

Garry Cruz is a Filipino singer, recording artist, songwriter, vocal coach and vocal arranger. Aside from his singing career he is also a dancer and has a background in acting. Cruz finished his studies in college and majored in accounting. He was also an elected official at the Sanguniang Kabataan as councilor in their Barangay during his teen years. Some of Garry Cruz's songs on his first album include Kung Alam Mo lang, and Kahit Mali Ang Puso. His acoustic version of Walang Yaman, Mas Hihigit Sa'yo is used as a soundtrack of the GMA7 action fantasy drama series Asian Treasures. In 2016 he released a new album on digital format. His current self-titled album Garry Cruz includes songs composed by Vehnee Saturno.

## Biography

Gerardo "Garry" Canlas Cruz was born at the Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila. His mother Margarita Canlas and his father Carlos Cruz have four children of whom he is the youngest. Raised in a small Barangay in Navotas Cruz studied at St. Paul Grade school for his Kindergarten and continued his elementary education at Gov. Andres Pascual College. He finished High School at Jose Rizal HS now Elisa Esguerra Arellano University and graduated at The University of The East Caloocan Campus where he took up accountancy. He became a member of his school choir. Aside from doing demos for various composers, Cruz was also a vocal coach and back-up singer for other aspiring and professional artists. He also entered into politics for a five-year office as SK Kagawad. After finishing school, he immediately pursued his dream to become a recording artist.

## Career

Cruz started as a session artist for multiplex tape and videoke CD's. He eventually become a demo artist for composers and a backup singer for some popular artists. He then auditioned for Polycosmic Koocooz, an in house all male singing and dancing group that was a rival to the Universal Motion Dancers (UMD). The group did not last long and disbanded without releasing an album. Cruz went back to being a solo singer. He worked with well known composers and artists and that paved the way for him to become a vocal coach. He also landed some bit roles in films and television.
Finally, he signed his first record deal after a DJ played his demo track of Bong Fernandez's composition entitled Kung Alam Mo Lang on the radio and it became an instant hit. Fernandez said that a lot of singers expressed their interest for that song but he only wanted Cruz to sing it. BMG Records Pilipinas (later Sony BMG Music Philippines) called him up and signed him right away for a solo album, along with Fernandez, prominent songwriters Lito Camo and Edwin Marollano also wrote a song and Albert Tamayo as the musical arranger to come up with an album entitled Kung Alam Mo Lang.
Since then, Cruz has toured the Philippines and abroad. He went to Hong Kong for a concert then had an extensive tour of the US and Australia With Imelda Papin. He represented the Philippines in Taiwan together with other delegates for a song writing competition as an interpreter and won as Best Singer. Megaworld International hired him to entertain their guests with Filipino songs in Singapore.
In 2016, he released a new album under BellHaus Entertainment Inc. and produced by Jeffrey Tan, the son of the Late Bella Tan. All the songs in the album are composed by Vehnee Saturno.

## Movies

| Film | Role | Notes |
| Isang Lahi Isang Dugo | Rebel Soldier | |
| Takaw Tukso, Melodina | Singer | Movie Theme Song |
| Isusumbong Kita Sa Tatay Ko | Ghost Singer | Vocal track: Di Ko Kayang Tanggapin |
| Baklas:Human Organ for Sale (2011) | Singer/Songwriter | Vocals for theme song with Rapper Macoy and collaboration with Sherwin Castillo |
| Filemon Mamon (2015) | - | Vocal supervision on sound tracks |

## Album

| Year | Album Title | Genre | Notes | Label |
| - | Tunog Kalye vol.2 | Pop/Ballad | For the songs Mahal Kita, Higit Sa Lahat and Ako’y Narito- tagalong adaptation of More Than You'll Ever Know and I Will Be Here | Dyna Records |
| - | Nahigugma Cebuano (Various Artist Visayan Album) vol.2 | Pop/Rock | For The songs Ihatag Ko Ang Tanan and Kasing Kasing Kong Nagahulat | Able Music |
| - | Bag-ong Binisayang Labsongs The Album | Pop/Rock | For the song Kapugngan Ko Ba? | Harmony Music |
| - | Sama Samang Tinig Sa IIsang Himig | Inspirational | Album for a cause With Imelda Papin | IP Records |
| 1999 | Interscholastic | Rap/R&B | Duet With Francis Magalona | Greater East Asia Music and BMG Records (Pilipinas) Inc |
| 2002 | Next Beat: Song fest The Album Various Artist | R&B | For the song So Right..So Bright | Bread of Life Ministries, Inc. |
| 2003 | There's No Place Like Home (OFW Album) Various Artist | Ballad | For the song Kahit Ika'y Nasa Malayo | Galaxy Records Phil. |
| 2003 | Kung Alam MO Lang | Pop/Rock | 1st Solo Album | BMG Records (Pilipanas) Inc |
| 2007 | Angat Navotas | Novelty | For the Centennial Celebration Theme Song | Navotas |
| 20- | Unplugged | Acoustic | Cover Versions | D'Concorde Recording Corp. |
| 2010 | Inspirational Songs of Imelda Papin and Friends Vol.1 | Ballad/Inspiratinal | For the Song Huwag Kwestyunin | 618 International Records |
| 2016 | Garry Cruz: Self titled Album | Pop/Rock | 2nd Personal Album (Digital Release) | BellHaus Entertainment Inc. |

## Television

| Year | TV Program | Role | Notes | Network |
| - | That's Entertainment | Dancer | Polycosmic Koocooz Dancer | GMA Network |
| - | Mara Clara | Party Guest/Cameo | Mara (JudyAnn)&(Gladys) Bday Party | ABS-CBN |
| - | Eat Bulaga | Contestant | Goldstar Karaoke Singing Contest | |
| - | Isang Tanong Isang Sagot | Himself | | TV5 |
| - | Sama samang Tinig sa Iisang Himig Telethon | Himself/Performer | | RPN 9 |
| - | Star Search sa Nueve | Himself | Chairman of the Board of judges: Grand Finals | RPN 9 |
| - | Kakaba Kaboo | Singer | Kakaba Kaboo Theme Song | GMA Network |
| 2003 | Katok Mga Misis | Himself | Guest | ABS-CBN |
| 2004 | Walang Tulugan with The Master Showman | Himself | guest/singer | GMA Network |
| 2005 | Chow Time Na! | Himself | Guest Performer | RPN 9 |
| 2007 | Asian Treasures | Singer | For the Acoustic Version Of Walang Yaman, Mas Hihigit Sa'yo | GMA Network |
| 2008 | Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita | Composer | For the Theme Song Kung Sana Bukas a collaboration with Tata Betita | GMA Network |
| 2009 | Rosalinda (Philippines TV series) | Singer | Vocals for the sound track Ikaw Na Nga Sana | GMA Network |
| 2009 | Goals and Girls | Composer | For the Theme Song Kahit Na a collaboration with Sherwin Castillo | GMA Network |
| 2010 | Asar Talo Lahat Panalo! | Himself | Member of Singing Group Sung-its | GMA Network |
| 2010 | Grazilda | Composer | For the Sound Track Nahuhulog Sa'yo a collaboration with Tata Belita | GMA Network |
| 2011 | Talentadong Pinoy | Himself | As Head Jury July 9, 2011 eps. | GMA Network |
| 2012 | Celebrity Bluff | Singer | For the Theme Song Celebrity Bluff | GMA Network |
| 2014 | Sunday All Stars | Himself | Commentary | GMA Network |

## Awards and Accolades

| Year | Award Giving Body | Category | Work | Result |
| 2002 | Star Search Marickville Rsl Australian Open | Singing Competition | Sung, How am i supposed to Live without you and Help | Semi- Finalist |
| 2005 | 18thAliw Awards | Best New Male Artist | Garry Cruz Live Performance | Nominated |
| 2005 | 12th Annual Asia-Pacific Excellence Awards | Best New male Discovery | Awarded | WON |
| 2007 | Sounds of the Human World (Taiwan) | Best In Talent | Interpreter: Where Is Heaven | WON |
| 2014 | 33 Seal Of Excellence Award: Dangal ng Bayan for Music Awardee | Outstanding Song Writer and Performer | Composer/ Singer | WON |
| 2014 | 27th Awit Awards | Best Vocal Arrangement | For the song Huwag Kang Bibitiw (Eurika) | Finalist |