Gian Magdangal
Encyclopedia
Giancarlo "Gian" Alzate Magdangal (born November 18, 1981 in Manila
, Philippines
), is a Filipino
singer, performer, and theater actor currently signed to GMA Network
. A former boy band
member of 17:28, he rose to prominence as one of the runners-up of Philippine Idol
in 2006. Magdangal was dubbed during the competition as the "Livewire Idol".
He is a cousin of actress and fellow singer Jolina Magdangal
.
to his grandmother. He grew up listening to Broadway
musicals
, Stevie Wonder
, Boyz II Men
, and Brian McKnight
. Seeing his potential as a singer, he was sent to undergo voice lessons at St. Scholastica's College
's Conservatory of Music. He also received vocal training from Trumpets Playshop, Sweet Plantado, Mon Faustino, Audie Gemora, Freddie Santos, and Carlo Orosa.
Magdangal's early musical exposure was during high school in La Salle Green Hills
when he became part of the Kundirana
. It was there where he realized how singing can touch and change lives. During his stint in Kundirana, he perfected his craft in music while still balancing a busy lifestyle as a stage actor in his school's drama club. He was also a member of Tiples de Sto. Domingo, an all-boys choir based in Quezon City
.
While in college
at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
, taking up Business Administration with a major in Computer Application, Magdangal became part of a boy band quartet
known as 17:28
, which was formed by Gemora, along with his college friends. The group had their share of success compiling two albums under Star Records
and Viva Records
(wherein there were only three member left). One of their songs, "Sukob Na", became a rainy season jingle for ABS-CBN
. After three years, the group decided to disband with Magdangal being the only active musician. He formed a band "Gian with Industriya".
After graduating from college in 2003, Magdangal joined Trumpets Music Academy, a company which produced numerous theater plays in the metro in which he gained more exposure in acting. His theater credentials include the musicals Footloose
, The Little Mermaid
, and Once On This Island
.
During his training in Trumpets Music Academy, he accidentally entered a workshop for Advanced Musical Theater, when he was enrolled for the basic workshop. Plantado, the workshop's facilitator at that time, accepted Magdangal in her class where he was introduced with different players in the musical industry who eventually became his trainers. He said that theater training taught him confidence, discipline, humility, and teamwork. He believed that one should not pursue a career in entertainment simply for the money.
However, Magdangal discontinued his singing career to give priority to his family. He disbanded Gian with Industriya and entered the corporate world. Before auditioning for Philippine Idol, he was working as a Marketing Events Officer for Smart Communications
.
with the help of sponsors in time for the final leg of the auditions, where he sang "The Last Time" by Eric Benét
. He wore a gray coat, which he considered as his good luck charm, all throughout the audition and theater eliminations.
When Magdangal got into the Top 24, he took a leave of absence "without pay" from his work. This was to avoid suspicion that Smart Communications, which was a major advertisement sponsor of Philippine Idol, was backing him up.
He failed to make to the Top 4 during the Men's Semi-Final Round, and had to go through the Wildcard phase to enter the Top 12 Finalists.
The judges often compared Magdangal (who studied in a De La Salle school) with fellow finalist Jan Nieto
(who studied in Ateneo de Manila University
), calling it "the new Ateneo-La Salle rivalry". They are also compared to the rivalry between Filipino singers Martin Nievera
and Gary Valenciano
during the 1980s. Entertainment writers even predicted that Magdangal and Nieto would vie for the title.
He was placed at the Bottom 4 or Bottom 3 twice. Although Magdangal was praised by the judges for his vocal talent, he is often criticized for his lack of emotional depth when performing his contest pieces.
He admitted that there were several physical changes in him during the competition, such as losing weight from 180 pounds to 162 pound at 6' 1", as well as getting sick days before the finale that he had to undergo medication.
He placed runner-up to eventual winner Mau Marcelo
in a hotly contested voting verdict made by the public.
250,000 as prize for being a runner-up on Philippine Idol. He said that he gave part of it to pay family debts and some of it went to his savings.
Weeks after the competition, Magdangal signed a non-exclusive contract with GMA Network
and had been a regular talent in its Sunday noontime variety show SOP Rules. However, a stipulation in Magdangal's contract states that he is not supposed to mention "Philippine Idol" in any of his appearances on GMA Network, and this has been noticeable since his first appearances.
Magdangal, along with fellow Idol finalists Jelli Mateo and Pow Chavez, were included in a list of Most Promising People of 2007. He was described as the year's Christian Bautista
, if not even better.
Together with his fellow Idol finalists, Magdangal performed in a concert held in Araneta Coliseum on March 23, 2007.
He performed in Binibining Pilipinas
beauty pageant
in 2007, where he serenaded the finalists. Magdangal also guested in a fund-raising concert entitled "From the Soul...For the Mind", which benefited non-government organization Family Farm Schools. He performed in a concert headlined by Tiples de Santo Domingo, in which he was a member, in Philamlife Theater on September 15, 2007.
He won Best Performance by a New Male Artist at the 20th Awit Awards on August 2007 for his song "Himala" that was part of the Philippine Idol Top 12 Album.
Magdangal was included in Candy Magazine
's list of "Candy Cuties" for 2007.
He also guested in the Philippine version of Celebrity Duets, wherein he performed with socialite and self-proclaimed "eventologist" Tim Yap.
Plans for his solo album, under GMA Records, is currently in the works.
He is currently part of the Manila cast of Steges' production of West Side Story, where he plays the lead role of Riff. Riff is the best friend of the character Tony, which is played by Christian Bautista
.
" in 2001 and began dating in December 2006. Magdangal, a known conservative, supports Sheree's career despite her sexy image and daring roles she portrays on her movies. Their child, Gian Hailey was born on May 7, 2008.
Gian was chosen Most Promising Male Singer by the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation at the 38th Box-Office Entertainment Awards held on May 13, 2008.
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
), is a Filipino
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
singer, performer, and theater actor currently signed to GMA Network
GMA Network
GMA Network is a major commercial television & radio network in the Philippines. GMA Network is owned by GMA Network, Inc. a publicly listed company...
. A former boy band
Boy band
A boy band is loosely defined as a popular music act consisting of only male singers. The members are expected to dance as well as sing, usually giving highly choreographed performances. More often than not, boy band members do not play musical instruments, either in recording sessions or on...
member of 17:28, he rose to prominence as one of the runners-up of Philippine Idol
Philippine Idol
Philippine Idol was the first franchise of Idol series in the Philippines, the 35th country in the world to air a national Idol franchise and the sixth in Asia. The franchise was first awarded by FremantleMedia, 19 Entertainment and CKX, Inc. to Associated Broadcasting Company in 2006 and then to...
in 2006. Magdangal was dubbed during the competition as the "Livewire Idol".
He is a cousin of actress and fellow singer Jolina Magdangal
Jolina Magdangal
-Filmography:Pasan ko ang Daigdig-Television:-Studio albums:-Compilation albums:-2007:* FAMAS Awards - Golden Artist Awardee* PMPC Star Awards for TV - Favorite Female Host Starstruck: The Next Level* UNICEF Ambassadres of Goodwill...
.
Early life and career
Magdangal claimed that he started to sing when he was 2 years old, as he was singing lullabiesLullaby
A lullaby is a soothing song, usually sung to young children before they go to sleep, with the intention of speeding that process. As a result they are often simple and repetitive. Lullabies can be found in every culture and since the ancient period....
to his grandmother. He grew up listening to Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
musicals
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
, Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
, Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men is an American R&B vocal group best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. They are the most successful R&B group of all time, having sold more than albums worldwide. In the 1990s, Boyz II Men found fame on Motown Records as a quartet, but original member Michael McCary...
, and Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, producer, and R&B/Pop musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays nine instruments: piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn and trumpet....
. Seeing his potential as a singer, he was sent to undergo voice lessons at St. Scholastica's College
St. Scholastica's College
St. Scholastica's College, Manila is a Catholic institution for women established in 1906 and managed by the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing. It is located in 3.66 hectare lot in Malate in the city of Manila. It is bounded by Estrada Street on the north, P...
's Conservatory of Music. He also received vocal training from Trumpets Playshop, Sweet Plantado, Mon Faustino, Audie Gemora, Freddie Santos, and Carlo Orosa.
Magdangal's early musical exposure was during high school in La Salle Green Hills
La Salle Green Hills
La Salle Green Hills is a private Catholic school exclusively for boys located on Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines. It is run by the Roman Catholic Brothers of the Christian Schools- Philippine District. It was established in 1959 by the De La Salle Brothers led by the...
when he became part of the Kundirana
Kundirana
Kundirana is a high-school glee club based in La Salle Green Hills. Aside from just being a simple singing group, Kundirana also has the distinction of being the most famous high school singing group in the Philippines.-Composition:...
. It was there where he realized how singing can touch and change lives. During his stint in Kundirana, he perfected his craft in music while still balancing a busy lifestyle as a stage actor in his school's drama club. He was also a member of Tiples de Sto. Domingo, an all-boys choir based in Quezon City
Quezon City
Quezon City is the former capital and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The city was named after Manuel L...
.
While in college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde is a private Catholic college in the Malate district of Manila, Philippines. The main campus is along Taft Avenue, with two campuses along Pablo Ocampo Street and Arellano Avenue...
, taking up Business Administration with a major in Computer Application, Magdangal became part of a boy band quartet
Quartet
In music, a quartet is a method of instrumentation , used to perform a musical composition, and consisting of four parts.-Western art music:...
known as 17:28
17:28
17:28 was a boy band in the Philippines active during the early 2000s. Though known as a boy band, they considered themselves more of a vocal group. The group had four members: Gian Magdangal, Jonard Yanzon, Chino Alfonso and Wackie Valdes...
, which was formed by Gemora, along with his college friends. The group had their share of success compiling two albums under Star Records
Star Records
Star Records, referring loosely to two companies, Star Recording and Star Songs Music Publishing, is an ABS-CBN Entertainment Group company whose main lines of business include: producing, developing and distributing audio and video content; music publishing; events production and music artists...
and Viva Records
Viva Records (Philippines)
VIVA Records is Philippine record label. It is subsidiary of VIVA Entertainment.- Artists & Album Releases :* 18 Greatest Hits ** Andrew E.** Basil Valdez ** Jun Pulistico...
(wherein there were only three member left). One of their songs, "Sukob Na", became a rainy season jingle for ABS-CBN
ABS-CBN
ABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...
. After three years, the group decided to disband with Magdangal being the only active musician. He formed a band "Gian with Industriya".
After graduating from college in 2003, Magdangal joined Trumpets Music Academy, a company which produced numerous theater plays in the metro in which he gained more exposure in acting. His theater credentials include the musicals Footloose
Footloose (musical)
Footloose is a 1998 musical based on the 1984 film of the same name. The music is by Tom Snow , the lyrics by Dean Pitchford , and the book by Pitchford and Walter Bobbie.-Act 1:...
, The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid
"The Little Mermaid" is a popular fairy tale by the Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen about a young mermaid willing to give up her life in the sea and her identity as a mermaid to gain a human soul and the love of a human prince...
, and Once On This Island
Once On This Island
Once on This Island is a one-act musical with a book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty. Based on the novel My Love, My Love by Rosa Guy, set in the French Antilles in the Caribbean Sea...
.
During his training in Trumpets Music Academy, he accidentally entered a workshop for Advanced Musical Theater, when he was enrolled for the basic workshop. Plantado, the workshop's facilitator at that time, accepted Magdangal in her class where he was introduced with different players in the musical industry who eventually became his trainers. He said that theater training taught him confidence, discipline, humility, and teamwork. He believed that one should not pursue a career in entertainment simply for the money.
However, Magdangal discontinued his singing career to give priority to his family. He disbanded Gian with Industriya and entered the corporate world. Before auditioning for Philippine Idol, he was working as a Marketing Events Officer for Smart Communications
Smart Communications
Smart Communications is a wholly owned mobile phone and Internet service subsidiary of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company .On June 30, 2010 the company reported that it had over 45 million cellular subscribers.-Brands:...
.
Philippine Idol
Magdangal said that Philippine Idol was like "a calling" to return to music. However, he felt that the competition was not meant for him because of conflicts between his work and the audition dates. He only found an opening at the Cebu auditions, but he was short of money. He eventually flew to Cebu CityCebu City
The City of Cebu is the capital city of Cebu and is the second largest city in the Philippines, the second most significant metropolitan centre in the Philippines and known as the oldest settlement established by the Spaniards in the country.The city is located on the eastern shore of Cebu and was...
with the help of sponsors in time for the final leg of the auditions, where he sang "The Last Time" by Eric Benét
Eric Benét
Eric Benét, is an American singer. His duet with Tamia, "Spend My Life With You" was a number one song for three weeks on the US Billboard R&B chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2000....
. He wore a gray coat, which he considered as his good luck charm, all throughout the audition and theater eliminations.
When Magdangal got into the Top 24, he took a leave of absence "without pay" from his work. This was to avoid suspicion that Smart Communications, which was a major advertisement sponsor of Philippine Idol, was backing him up.
He failed to make to the Top 4 during the Men's Semi-Final Round, and had to go through the Wildcard phase to enter the Top 12 Finalists.
The judges often compared Magdangal (who studied in a De La Salle school) with fellow finalist Jan Nieto
Jan Nieto
Jan Kurt Anthony Pasion Nieto, popularly known as Jan Nieto , is a Filipino male singer who rose to prominence as one of the runners-up of Philippine Idol in 2006. With the height of 5' 10½" and weighing 165 pounds , he was dubbed as the "Hunky Idol" during the competition...
(who studied in Ateneo de Manila University
Ateneo de Manila University
The Ateneo de Manila University is a private teaching and research university run by the Society of Jesus in the Philippines. It began in 1859 when the City of Manila handed control of the Escuela Municipal de Manila in Intramuros, Manila, to the Jesuits...
), calling it "the new Ateneo-La Salle rivalry". They are also compared to the rivalry between Filipino singers Martin Nievera
Martin Nievera
Martin Ramon Razon Nievera is a singer, songwriter, and actor. He is one of the main hosts of musical variety show ASAP on ABS-CBN-Early life:...
and Gary Valenciano
Gary Valenciano
Edgardo Jose Martin Santiago Valenciano , better known as Gary Valenciano or Gary V., is a Filipino musician. He is also dubbed as Mr. Pure Energy. He has released 26 albums, and won the Awit Awards for "Best Male Performer" 11 times. In 1998, he became UNICEF Philippines first national Ambassador...
during the 1980s. Entertainment writers even predicted that Magdangal and Nieto would vie for the title.
He was placed at the Bottom 4 or Bottom 3 twice. Although Magdangal was praised by the judges for his vocal talent, he is often criticized for his lack of emotional depth when performing his contest pieces.
He admitted that there were several physical changes in him during the competition, such as losing weight from 180 pounds to 162 pound at 6' 1", as well as getting sick days before the finale that he had to undergo medication.
He placed runner-up to eventual winner Mau Marcelo
Mau Marcelo
Maureen "Mau" Flores Marcelo is a Filipina Puertorican R&B soul singer who rose to prominence as the first winner of Philippine Idol in 2006. She was dubbed as the "Soul Idol" and "The Black Belter" at the competition for her R&B-style vocals...
in a hotly contested voting verdict made by the public.
Post-Idol
Magdangal received PPhilippine peso
The peso is the currency of the Philippines. It is subdivided into 100 centavos . Before 1967, the language used on the banknotes and coins was English and so "peso" was the name used...
250,000 as prize for being a runner-up on Philippine Idol. He said that he gave part of it to pay family debts and some of it went to his savings.
Weeks after the competition, Magdangal signed a non-exclusive contract with GMA Network
GMA Network
GMA Network is a major commercial television & radio network in the Philippines. GMA Network is owned by GMA Network, Inc. a publicly listed company...
and had been a regular talent in its Sunday noontime variety show SOP Rules. However, a stipulation in Magdangal's contract states that he is not supposed to mention "Philippine Idol" in any of his appearances on GMA Network, and this has been noticeable since his first appearances.
Magdangal, along with fellow Idol finalists Jelli Mateo and Pow Chavez, were included in a list of Most Promising People of 2007. He was described as the year's Christian Bautista
Christian Bautista
Christian Joseph Morata Bautista , more popularly known by his screen name Christian Bautista, is a Filipino singer, actor, host, and model. He was a finalist of Star In A Million, a Philippine reality show aired on ABS-CBN channel, winning the 4th place in the competition in 2003...
, if not even better.
Together with his fellow Idol finalists, Magdangal performed in a concert held in Araneta Coliseum on March 23, 2007.
He performed in Binibining Pilipinas
Binibining Pilipinas
Binibining Pilipinas is the organization responsible for sponsoring the annual national beauty pageant which selects representatives of the Philippines to Miss Universe and Miss International, among others.-History:...
beauty pageant
Beauty contest
A beauty pageant or beauty contest, is a competition that mainly focuses on the physical beauty of its contestants, although such contests often incorporate personality, talent, and answers to judges' questions as judged criteria...
in 2007, where he serenaded the finalists. Magdangal also guested in a fund-raising concert entitled "From the Soul...For the Mind", which benefited non-government organization Family Farm Schools. He performed in a concert headlined by Tiples de Santo Domingo, in which he was a member, in Philamlife Theater on September 15, 2007.
He won Best Performance by a New Male Artist at the 20th Awit Awards on August 2007 for his song "Himala" that was part of the Philippine Idol Top 12 Album.
Magdangal was included in Candy Magazine
Candy (magazine)
Candy is a magazine which is dedicated to the Filipino youth. It is published by Summit Media, publisher of Yes! Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, Total Girl, and others. The magazine is manned by editor-in-chief Mia Fausto....
's list of "Candy Cuties" for 2007.
He also guested in the Philippine version of Celebrity Duets, wherein he performed with socialite and self-proclaimed "eventologist" Tim Yap.
Plans for his solo album, under GMA Records, is currently in the works.
He is currently part of the Manila cast of Steges' production of West Side Story, where he plays the lead role of Riff. Riff is the best friend of the character Tony, which is played by Christian Bautista
Christian Bautista
Christian Joseph Morata Bautista , more popularly known by his screen name Christian Bautista, is a Filipino singer, actor, host, and model. He was a finalist of Star In A Million, a Philippine reality show aired on ABS-CBN channel, winning the 4th place in the competition in 2003...
.
Personal life
He is currently dating actress and singer Sherre Bautista-Agustin, a former member of Viva Hot Babes, who incidentally was a close friend to Marquez. The two met during a production of "The Little MermaidThe Little Mermaid
"The Little Mermaid" is a popular fairy tale by the Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen about a young mermaid willing to give up her life in the sea and her identity as a mermaid to gain a human soul and the love of a human prince...
" in 2001 and began dating in December 2006. Magdangal, a known conservative, supports Sheree's career despite her sexy image and daring roles she portrays on her movies. Their child, Gian Hailey was born on May 7, 2008.
Award
| Year | Award-giving Body | Category |
| 2006 | Awit Awards Awit Awards The Awit Awards is the longest-running award-giving body of the Philippines that gives recognition to Filipino musical talents, performing artists and producers it was Philippines equivalent to Grammy Awards, organized by the Philippine Association Of The Record Industry .-Objectives and Winner... |
Best Performance by a New Male Artist |
Gian was chosen Most Promising Male Singer by the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation at the 38th Box-Office Entertainment Awards held on May 13, 2008.
See also
- Philippine IdolPhilippine Idol finalistsThe Philippine Idol Finalists consisted of 12 aspiring singers who competed for Philippine Idol. They were selected after several stages of audition and theater eliminations, and succeeded in earning a spot in the Finals by popular votes from the viewers.The Final Round started on September 30,...
- for the list of Magdangal's song performances during the competition.