Gerald Santos

Gerald Santos
Gerald Padua Santos (born May 15, 1991) is a Filipino singer and actor. He was the grand champion of Pinoy Pop Superstar (Season 2) on GMA Network in 2006 and dubbed as "The Prince of Ballad". He played Thuy in the Miss Saigon UK/International Tour 2017–2019 by Cameron Mackintosh Productions logging in 553 performances, and in the Miss Saigon Denmark (in Danish Language) Production 2023 (Det Ny Teater). In 2021, he was awarded Stage Performer of the Decade by BroadwayWorld Philippines (2011-2020) for his performances as Pedro Calungsod in San Pedro Calungsod The Musical. For his role as Doc Willie Ong in I Will: The Musical (2022) he won Best Lead Actor in a Musical in the Aliw Awards 2022. He's also a 2-time "Entertainer of the Year" in the Aliw Awards (2020) (2022). Gerald also has several film credits under his belt.
Introduction
Gerald Padua Santos was the grand champion of Pinoy Pop Superstar Season 2 of GMA 7 and was dubbed as the Prince of Ballad. He was Thuy in the 2017–2019 UK/International Tour of Miss Saigon by Cameron Mackintosh.
Early life
He was born Gerald Padua Santos on May 15, 1991, in Navotas, the second of five children. His parents both worked at the Navotas Fish Port and were earning just enough to support the family. His parents supported his interest in music from an early age. He started singing at the age of 7 years old and started singing at his elementary school (Daanghari Elementary School) in Navotas. He later joined amateur singing contests (around 50 amateur singing contests in Metro Manila and nearby provinces) and won in many. He was studying at the Tangos National High School in Navotas when he decided to audition for Pinoy Pop Superstar of GMA-7 at the age of 15.
Career
Singing
In 2006, Santos became the grand champion of the second season of GMA Network's show Pinoy Pop Superstar. He was the youngest champion of the reality singing contest then hosted by Regine Velasquez. He sang "Kahit Isang Saglit", "Hanggang" and "Close to Where You Are" as his winning songs in the Final night of PPS Season 2. He has been praised on the show for his heartfelt singing.
After winning the PPS, Santos signed a five-year contract with GMA Records and became a regular on the TV series SOP Rules. He appeared on the primetime TV series I Luv New York and cohosted QTV's Popstar Kids in 2006. His first single, "A Day on the Rainbow", was released in 2006. In 2008 he released his second studio album, Gerald Santos: Pinakahihintay.
He transferred to TV 5 in 2010, a year before his contract with GMA expired. He then released the repackaged edition of "Pinakahihintay" for which he did a national mall tour and won awards. Gerald won in the 3rd Star Awards (2011) for Music for the "Pinakahihintay" Repackaged edition Album as Male Pop Artist of the Year. In 2012, he released his third album, Gerald Santos The Prince of Ballad. The album won the Revival Album of the Year in the 5th Star Awards for Music in 2013.
His 4th album, Gerald Santos Kahit Among Mangyari was released in July 2015. It was an all-original album with songs written by renowned composers.
Santos signed a 2-year contract with Star Music Philippines in May 2017 and released the single "I am Yours" in June 2017. The follow-up single "Hindi Pa Huli ang Lahat" was set to be released in August 2017.
Concerts
Santos has done five major solo concerts. Santos been nominated for four consecutive years as Best Male Concert Performer (2011–2014) in the Aliw Awards, winning the coveted award in 2011 for his Major Move concert at the Music Museum. In 2012, Santos held the Isang Pasasalmat concert at the PETA-PHINMA Theater.
Gerald Santos It's Time! was held at the SM North EDSA Skydome on 2014.
On June 13, 2015, his biggest concert Gerald Santos: Metamorphosis was held at the historic PICC Plenary Hall. This concert won for him the Best Major Concert – Male in the 28th Aliw Awards, beating more popular concert artists.
Santos held a concert at the SM North EDSA Skydome on April 9, 2017 entitled Gerald Santos: Something New in My Life. His special guests were the UP Concert Chorus and Regine Velasquez.
Santos held Gerald Santos: The Homecoming Concert in 2019 at Solaire theater, with Jake Zyrus and Santos's Miss Saigon costars Aicelle Santos, Joreen Bautista, and Leo Valdez.
In December 2019, Santos staged a major concert at NPAT Resorts World Manila. His guests include Jett Pangarap, Nyoy Volante, Garrett Bolden, Rachel Chan, and Kyline Alcantara.
In 2022, he staged a concert in Vienna, Austria (VHS Paho) with guests Kathy Aquino, Mark Agpas, and Isabel Garcia. He headlined concerts held in Nottinghill, London, in 2017 and 2019.
Musician
Santos has composed and written a dozen songs, 4 of which were included in his sophomore album, Gerald Santos Pinakahintay The Repackaged Edition ("Kailan Masasabi", "I Cannot Imagine", "This Feeling Inside", "Gotta Be Strong"). For the "San Pedro Calungsod The Musical", he composed 8 songs. For his 4th album (Gerald Santos Kahit Anong Mangyari), he did two compositions ("#MMK" and "Sorry").
Theater
Santos has played lead roles in major productions. The first was in 2011 in Gantimpala Theater Foundation's "Sino Ka Ba Jose Rizal". His second musical was Matpil's San Pedro Calungsod: Teen Saint at Seventeen. The third was Redlife Entertainment Productions Inc.'s "San Pedro Calungsod the Musical". Santos was also the play's composer.
In 2016, he auditioned for Miss Saigon and was chosen out of hundreds who auditioned for the role of Thuy. He was part of the Miss Saigon UK/International Tour, which ran from July 2017 to March 2019 and covered 5 countries in the UK and Europe. Santos has logged in a total of 553 performances as Thuy and got rave reviews.
In October 2019, Santos played Anthony Hope in the Atlantis Theatrical's staging of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, alongside Lea Salonga. The musical was directed by Bobby Garcia and staged in Manila (The Theatre at Solaire) and Singapore Marina Bay Sands Theatre - November 28- December 8, 2020.
Television
Santos was the grand champion of the season 2 of Pinoy Pop Superstar in GMA 7 in 2006 and it opened the doors of his TV career.
Santos was part of SOP and Party Pilipinas on GMA and was cast in GMA's primetime teleserye "I Luv New York" in 2006 where he played the brother of its lead Jolina Magdangal.
On TV5, where he appeared in the shows P.O.5 (2010), Fantastik (2011), Sunday Funday (2012), Hey It's Saberday! (2012). He sang the theme song composed by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab for Nora Aunor's TV comeback Sa Ngalan ng Ina.
At present, Santos is not under contract with any major network.
Santos has been performing on A Song of Praise songwriting competition on UNTV channel 37, hosted by Richard Reynoso and Toni Rose Gayda.
Movies
Gerald Santos finished his first feature film in 2015, Memory Channel, directed by Rayn Brizuela and costarring Epy Quizon, Bodjie Pascua, and Michelle Vito. The movie was an official selection for the 2016 World Premieres Film Festival, where it competed against 5 other Filipino films. Santos received favorable reviews for his acting as an amnesia patient suffering from anxiety and panic attacks.
Santos played the title character in the docu-film Emilio Jacinto: Utak ng Katipunan for Legit Entertainment, produced by National Historical Commission and directed by Pat Perez.
His other movie credits include Al Coda (with Marion Aunor, 2022), Mamasapano: Now It Can Be Told (MMFF 2022 Official Entry, 2nd Best Picture), and Oras de Peligro (2023).
Awards and nominations
2006 People's Choice Award (Pinoy Pop Superstar Grand Finals, May 2006) GMA Network
2006 Nominated: New Male TV Personality (SOP; Star Awards for Television)
2011 Nominated: Male Pop Artist of the Year – Pinakahihintay, The Repackaged Edition Album (3rd Star Awards for Music)
2011 Nominated: Best Concert Performance (Male) – Major Move Concert, Music Museum (June 18, 2011, 24th Aliw Awards)
2011 Nominated: Best Actor in a Musical – Sino Ka Ba Jose Rizal (September 2011, 24th Aliw Awards)
2011 Winner: Male Pop Artist of the Year – Pinakahihintay, The Repackaged Edition Album (3rd Star Awards for Music)
2011 Winner: Best Concert Performance (Male) – Major Move Concert, Music Museum (June 18, 2011, 24th Aliw Awards)
2012 Nominated: Best Male Concert Performance (Male) – Isang Pasasalamat, PETA-PHINMA Theater (May 2012, 25th Aliw Awards)
2013 Nominated: Male Recording Artist of the Year – The Prince of Ballad Album (5th Star Awards for Music)
2013 Nominated: Male Concert Performer of the Year – The Prince of Ballad Soaring High, Music Museum (April 30, 2013, 5th Star Awards for Music)
2013 Nominated: Male Pop Artist of the Year – The Prince of Ballad Album – (5th Star Awards for Music)
2013 Nominated: Revival Album of the Year – The Prince of Ballad Album – (5th Star Awards for Music)
2013 Nominated: Best Concert Performance (Male) – The Prince of Ballad Soaring High, Music Museum (April 30, 2013, 26th Aliw Awards)
2013 Winner: Revival Album of the Year – The Prince of Ballad Album (5th Star Awards for Music)
2014 Nominated: Best Concert Performance (Male) – It's Time! Concert, SM North Edsa Skydome (June 28, 2014, 27th Aliw Awards)
2015 Nominated: Male Concert Performer of the Year – It's Time Concert, SM North Edsa Skydive (June 28, 2014, 7th Star Awards for Music)
2015 Nominated: Male pop Artist of the Year – Kahit Anong Mangyari Album (7th Star Awards for Music)
2015 Winner: Pinakapasadong Dangal ng Kabataan – (April 2015, Gawad Pasado)
2015 Nominated: Best Major Concert – Male (28th Aliw Awards)
2015 Winner: Best Major Concert – Male (28th Aliw Awards)
2017 Nominated: Best Concert Performance (Male) – Something New In My Life, SM North Edsa Skydome (April 9, 2017, 30th ALIW Awards )
2017 Winner: Best Concert Performance (Male) – Something New In My Life, SM North Edsa Skydome (April 9, 2017, 30th Aliw Awards-Dec 2018)
2018 Nominated: Male Concert Performer of the Year -Something New In My Life, SM North Edsa Skydome (April 9, 2017, 9th Star Awards for Music)
2018 Nominated: Concert of the Year – Something New In My Life, SM North Edsa Skydome (April 9, 2017, 9th Star Awards for Music)
2019 Nominated: Male Concert Performer of the Year - Gerald Santos: The Homecoming Concert, The Theatre at Solaire (May 4, 2019, 10th Star Awards for Music)
2019 Nominated: Best Major Concert - Male - Gerald Santos: The Homecoming Concert, The Theatre at Solaire (May 4, 2019, 32nd Aliw Awards)
2019: Winner: Best Major Concert - Male - Gerald Santos: The Homecoming Concert, The Theatre at Solaire (May 4, 2019, 32nd Aliw Awards)
2020 - Winner - Best Major Concert - Male - UNLIMITED , NPAT Resorts World Manila, Aliw Awards 2020
2020 - Winner - Best Online Performer - The Great Shift , Aliw Awards 2020
2020 - Entertainer of the Year - Aliw Awards 2022
2021 - Winner - Stage Performer of the Decade , San Pedro Calungsod The Musical, BroadwayWorld Philippines
2022 - Winner - Best Lead Actor i na Musical - I Will : The Musical , October 14, 2022 , Metropolitan Theater, Aliw Awards 2022
2022 - Entertainer of the Year - Aliw Awards 2022
2023 - Stage Performer of the Year , I Will: The Musical, October 14, 2022, Meteopolitan Theater, BroadwayWorld Philippines
Discography
Studio albums
A Day on the Rainbow (November 2006) – This album contains his official first hit song "Mahal Kita" which became the theme song of the top rating "Marimar" in Channel 7.
Pinakahihintay (November 2008) – It contains his revival of the song "Hanggang", the song which won for him in his very first TV appearance in Pinoy Pop Superstar, scoring a near-perfect 99% from the judges and is literally his ticket to the music industry.
Pinakahihintay The Repackaged Edition (October 2010) – This album won for him the Male Pop Artist of the Year Award from the 3rd PMPC Star Awards and (October 2011) and contains his original compositions.
Gerald Santos The Prince Of Ballad (September 2012) – This album, which won the Revival Album of the Year from the 5th Star Awards for Music was Gerald's first revival album and contains the hit song "Maghintay Ka Lamang" which until now is a source of inspiration among the Filipinos.
Gerald Santos Kahit Anong Mangyari (March 2015) – In this album, Gerald scored a nomination for the 7th Star Awards for Music as Male Pop Artist of the Year (November 2015)
Gerald just signed up with Star Music Philippines in 2017 and released his first single under Star Music entitled "I Am Yours", composed by Francis "Kiko" Salazar.
With the advent of online digital releases, Gerald has released numerous songs and include titles such as "Hindi Pa Huli ang Lahat", "Hanggang sa Muli", "Ibulong Mo Na Sa 'Kin", "Sorry", "Wagas", "Di Kaylalangan Pang Mangako", "Ibalik", "Finally" "I Will". His original studio recording of "Hanggang" was also released in 2023.
References
External links
Gerald Santos at iGMA.tv
(https://www.facebook.com/gmapartypilipinas/posts/124414437588040)
(http://www.remate.ph/2011/09/gerald-santos-adding-brilliance-to-his-pinoy-pop-superstar-title/)
(http://www.pep.ph/news/35847/singer-gerald-santos-feels-like-starting-again-with-his-career)
(http://www.pep.ph/news/38538/gerald-santos-overwhelmed-by-nora-aunor39s-presence-during-his-concert)
(http://www.mb.com.ph/pmpc-star-awards-for-music-winners-bared/)
(http://britishtheatre.com/casting-announced-miss-saigon-uk-tour/)
(http://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2017/04/16/1690643/challenge-being-thuy)
(http://entertainment.mb.com.ph/2017/04/21/geralds-long-and-winding-road-to-miss-saigon/)
(http://www.westendtheatre.com/51902/news/casting-announced-for-miss-saigon-uk-tour/attachment/miss-saigon-uk-tour/)
1991 births
Living people
Reality show winners
Actors from Navotas
Singers from Metro Manila
Male actors from Metro Manila
Filipino male musical theatre actors
Filipino male child actors
Filipino child singers
21st-century Filipino male singers
Filipino male pop singers
Participants in Philippine reality television series
GMA Network personalities
GMA Music artists
TV5 (Philippine TV network) personalities
ABS-CBN personalities
Star Music artists