Toni Gonzaga
Celestine Cruz Gonzaga-Soriano (born January 20, 1984), better known as Toni Gonzaga, is a Filipina singer, host, actress, producer, vlogger and entrepreneur. She is the former lead host of long-running reality show, Pinoy Big Brother.
Contents
- 1 Personal life
- 2 Career
- 2.1 1997–2004: Career beginnings
- 2.2 2005–2008: Breakthrough with ABS-CBN
- 2.3 2009–2011: Subsequent success
- 2.4 2012–2014: Critical acclaim
- 2.5 2015–2021: Recent works
- 2.6 2022–present: Controversies
- 3 Filmography
- 4 Discography
- 4.1 Studio albums
- 4.2 Compilation albums
- 4.3 Participated albums
- 4.4 Concerts
- 5 Awards and nominations
- 6 References
- 7 External links
Personal life
Toni Gonzaga was born Celestine Cruz Gonzaga on January 20, 1984, in Taytay, She is the eldest daughter of former punong barangay, councilor and vice mayor Carlito "Bonoy" and Crisanta "Pinty" (née Cruz) Gonzaga, who also acts as her talent manager. Her sister, Catherine "Cathy" Gonzaga, professionally known as Alex Gonzaga, is also an actress, comedian, television host and vlogger. In Taytay, she was an elected Barangay Kagawad for one term and a Sunday school teacher in Taytay United Methodist Church. She studied m* communication at the Dominican College in San Juan for two years. Later, she transferred to the Asian Ins*ute for Distance Education (AIDE) and shifted her major to AB English, which she wasn't able to finish due to her busy showbiz schedule. She is currently enrolled at the University of the Philippines Open University taking up her bachelor's degree in multimedia studies. Gonzaga is an active member of the United Methodist Church.
On February 1, 2015, during her guesting in the Sunday talk show The Buzz, Gonzaga announced her engagement to director Paul Soriano, her boyfriend of eight years. They were married on June 12, 2015, at 3 p.m. in the United Methodist Church in Taytay, Rizal. In February 2016, a source announced that the couple was expecting their first child, due in late 2016 or early 2017. Gonzaga herself confirmed the announcement on ASAP on April 17, 2016. Gonzaga gave birth to their son, Severiano Elliott, on September 30, 2016.
On February 8, 2022, Gonzaga hosted the UniTeam Alliance's proclamation rally in the Philippine Arena and declared her support for former senator Bongbong Marcos in the 2022 presidential elections. Her endor*t has attracted widespread media attention, as well as mixed responses from colleagues in the entertainment industry.
Career
1997–2004: Career beginnings
Gonzaga started in local entertainment at the age of 13. It was in 1997 where she joined a singing compe*ion called "Metropop Star Search", which was then aired on GMA. Two other Filipina singers, Kyla and Faith Cuneta, started their career on the singing compe*ion television show. Gonzaga did win the compe*ion.
Gonzaga's biggest break in the entertainment industry was her Sprite TV ad with Piolo Pascual in 2001. In the same year, she released her eponymous debut album under Prime Music and "Paano", a cover of Gary Valenciano's, was released as its carrier single. In 2002, she became one of the main hosts in the long-time afternoon variety show Eat Bulaga. She also sang "Doon", the theme song of TAPE, Inc.'s afternoon TV drama on GMA, Ikaw Sa Puso Ko which starred StarStruck finalist, Nadine Samonte and Oyo Boy Sotto. In 2002, she was cast in the primetime television series Habang Kapiling Ka starring Angelika dela Cruz. In March 2004, she joined Studio 23's Wazzup Wazzup with Archie Alemania and Vhong Navarro.
2005–2008: Breakthrough with ABS-CBN
In January 2005, Gonzaga transferred to ABS-CBN, and became a host of the Pinoy Big Brother series and the Sunday musical variety program ASAP. In the same year, she starred as a lead in her first comedy-horror film, D' Anothers in which Vhong Navarro was her love interest. In 2006, she released her second album and her first under Star Records en*led Toni: You Complete Me and starred in her first prime time drama series Crazy for You opposite Luis Manzano. Her film You Are the One with Sam Milby was released the same year upon which she was awarded by the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Foundation, Inc. (GMMSF) the following year for the said film. In 2007, Gonzaga released her third studio album Falling in Love and film You Got Me!. In 2008, she had her first solo major concert at the Aliw Theater *led "Catch Me, Toni Gonzaga: First Major Concert" which had a repeat the same year. After the success of her first major concert, she released her fourth studio album, Love Is.... Later, she launched her fourth film, My Big Love, her third with Sam Milby. After the blockbuster team up of Gonzaga and Milby, she once again starred opposite Vhong Navarro in the film My Only Ü.
2009–2011: Subsequent success
In 2009, Gonzaga starred in a Valentine's Day Special episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya, the longest-running drama anthology on Philippine television and in Asia. She was then cast in the Gideon Flame Film Festival's Best Film, A Journey Home. Later in February, a duet album with Sam Milby was released under Star Records. Before the year ended, Gonzaga was once again teamed up with Sam Milby in the comedy film, Ang Tanging Pamilya: A Marry Go Round which included Ai-Ai de las Alas and Former Philippine President Joseph Estrada as the main leads. In 2010, she became part of entertainment talk show program The Buzz. She is the SM Cinema's Box Office Queen for 2010 alongside John Lloyd Cruz as the Box Office King for their film My Amnesia Girl. Her 5th studio album, All Me, was internationally released in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Korea, and *an.
In August 2011, her film Wedding Tayo, Wedding Hindi, her first ever team up with Eugene Domingo, premiered in cinemas nationwide in the Philippines. On September 30, 2011, she celebrated her 10th anniversary in Philippine entertainment industry with a concert at the Smart Araneta Center *led "[email protected]" with guests Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz, Vhong Navarro, Pokwang, Vice Ganda, Sam Milby, her real-life sister Alex Gonzaga, with the special participation of Gary Valenciano. TAG Concept, the production and talent management group owned by the Gonzaga family, co-produced the show with Star Events and Epic Entertainment. Furthermore, for the continuation of the celebration, she released her Greatest Hits album in which her singles from 2006 to 2010 were included.
2012–2014: Critical acclaim
In March 2012, Gonzaga starred in the first ever month-long special of Wansapanataym, which aired four episodes.
The 2011 Female Concert Performer award was given to Gonzaga by the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Foundation. In October 2012, Gonzaga finally launched her comedy film in which she teamed up with Vice Ganda and Luis Manzano en*led, This Guy's in Love With You, Mare!. The movie is one of the highest grossing Filipino films of all time, earning P315:million when it reached its third week of showing in cinemas nationwide. Moreover, she was awarded Best Female TV Host for her show, ASAP 2012, by the PMPC Star Awards before 2012 ended.
On January 7, 2013, Gonzaga entered the Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs contest with the song entry called "Kahit Na", written by Jumbo "Bojam" De Belen. The contest featured songwriters who worked together with Filipino artists to create new OPM music. The song was simultaneously promoted by Star Records Inc. as it was chosen as one of the 12 Grand Finalists. The music video of the said song was produced by the University of the Philippines. She performed the song during the grand finals on February 24 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Overall, the song finished in fifth place as the Best P-pop Love Song, thus rewarding the writer of Gonzaga's song ₱100,000 in cash.
In February 2013, Gonzaga is confirmed one of the main hosts of singing reality show The Voice of the Philippines. As part of the 20th anniversary celebration of Star Cinema, Gonzaga starred with Bea Alonzo, Shaina Magdayao, Angel Locsin and Enchong Dee in Four Sisters and a Wedding, directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina. She also hosted a 10-episode Sunday morning cooking show Kwentong Kusina, Kwentong Buhay, sponsored by San Miguel Pure Foods. On October 8, 2013, Gonzaga won "Best Female Emcee" at the 26th Aliw Awards. In 2014, Gonzaga hosted the fifth season of 'Pinoy Big Brother: All In, and also starred with Piolo Pascual and Iza Calzado in the popular film Starting Over Again. She released her sixth studio album called, Celestine. Gonzaga then starred in the Saturday night sitcom Home Sweetie Home with John Lloyd Cruz. Continuing her album promotion, she guested on Myx as a Celebrity MYX VJ for the month of July, and supported by a concert called Celestine Toni Gonzaga held on October 3, 2014 at the Mall of Asia Arena. She then appeared alongside her sister Alex Gonzaga in a reality program called Team Gonzaga, exclusively viewed in ABS-CBN Mobile. Two songs "This Love Is Like" and "Awit ni Ginny" have been released in Myx and YouTube.
2015–2021: Recent works
In 2015, Gonzaga starred with Coco Martin in the romantic comedy film, You're My Boss. In April, she renewed her contract with ABS-CBN, and announced that she will continue her hosting duties in Pinoy Big Brother for the 737 season, which premiered on June 20, 2015.
In 2016, she was introduced as one of the HIMIGration officers (judges) for ABS-CBN's original reality show, I Love OPM, together with Lani Misalucha and Martin Nievera as co-judges, and was hosted by Anne Curtis.
In 2017, Gonzaga starred again with Piolo Pascual in the film Last Night. She and her sister Alex Gonzaga also starred with Sam Milby in another film Mary, Marry Me.
After the departure of John Lloyd Cruz in Home Sweetie Home, Gonzaga remained in the show with new seasons en*led Walang Kapares and Extra Sweet alongside new cast members. Home Sweetie Home lasted until its cancellation in 2020, when ABS-CBN ceased its free-to-air broadcast operations as ordered by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and Solicitor General Jose Calida on May 5, 2020. After the permanent denial of ABS-CBN's franchise renewal by the Philippine House Committee of 18th Congress in July 2020, Gonzaga lamented the retrenchment of the network's employees although she respects the decision of the Congress. Later on, Gonzaga reprised her hosting duties for the latest seasons of Pinoy Big Brother, Connect and *unity Season 10, the first two seasons of the reality show set in the COVID-19 pandemic and aired on all of ABS-CBN's platforms including Kapamilya Channel and A2Z.
2022–present: Controversies
On February 9, 2022, Gonzaga stepped down as the lead host of Pinoy Big Brother after 16 years, p*ing on her duties to Bianca Gonzalez. News reports have linked her departure to political endor*ts, as Gonzaga had previously hosted the February 8 proclamation rally for the UniTeam Alliance which included an endor*t for Iglesia ni Cristo member and former senatorial candidate Rodante Marcoleta, a key figure in the ABS-CBN shutdown and franchise denial controversy. ABS-CBN respected the decision of Gonzaga's resignation from Pinoy Big Brother.