Jolina Magdangal

Maria Jolina Perez Magdangal-Escueta, (born on 11 November 1978 in Tagaytay, Cavite, Philippines), is a Filipina actress, multi-platinum recording artist, fashion icon, television host, and entrepreneur. She is called the Queen of Pinoy Popular Culture (Pop Icon) for her tremendous contribution in the Philippine showbiz industry, particularly in popular culture. She was formerly dubbed as the 90's Teen Queen, Princess of Hearts and Multimedia Superstar. Career Early career (1992–1995) Magdangal started her career at the age of nine as a member of Ryan Cayabyab's singing group 14-K. In 1992, she was discovered by talent manager and television and film director Johnny Manahan. Later, she signed with ABS-CBN Talent Center (now called Star Magic) and made her television debut on the youth-oriented variety show Ang TV. During the show's half a decade programming, the time 4:30 in the afternoon was "[synonymously associated] to the antics of [the said] phenomenal show, from 'Emyuskee' to [Magdangal's own segment] 'Payong Kaibigan'". Armed with vibrant personality, Magdangal was later seen on several sitcoms and variety shows, such as: Abangan Ang Susunod Na Kabanata, as one of the main cast; 'Sang Linggo nAPO Sila, as an extended host, and; ASAP, as one of its pioneer hosts. In 1995, Magdangal debuted in the movie industry as one of the supporting cast in the musical-romance-drama film Hataw Na top billed by Mr. Pure Energy, Gary Valenciano and Miss Universe 1993, Dayanara Torres. The making of a Queen of Pinoy Popular Culture (1996–2009) The decade of 1996 to 2009 marked as a significant breakthrough of Magdangal's career, as public clamour on her intensified even more. In 1996, she was given her first leading role as a bubbly and colorful teenager in the youth-oriented television series Gimik alongside Judy Ann Santos, Marvin Agustin, Rico Yan, Diether Ocampo, Giselle Toengi, Mylene Dizon and Bojo Molina. Not only was the show itself a success, it also became the launching pad for the careers of the main cast that eventually led to its motion picture adaptation, Gimik: The Reunion in 1998. Following the success of Gimik and after appearing in the Judy Ann Santos-title-role-breakthrough-primetime-television-drama Esperanza, Magdangal was cast in the equally successful sitcoms Onli In Da Pilipins and Richard Loves Lucy, both in 1998. Perhaps one of the most significant turning point in Magdangal's career was her team-up with love team partner Marvin Agustin. The Marvin-Jolina (or MarJo in this social network generation), was the "most admired, most followed and most loved team ups of their generation". The tandem was first seen in the big screen in the 1997 twin bill FLAMES: The Movie followed in Kung Ayaw Mo Huwag Mo in 1998 alongside the tandem of William Martinez and Diamond Star Maricel Soriano. One of the most notable product of the Marvin-Jolina team up was the 1998 multi-million box office hit, and now considered a classic, Labs Kita… Okey Ka Lang? which gave us the immortal line from Bujoy (played by Magdangal): "Oh yes! Kaibigan mo lang ako… and I'm so stupid to make the biggest mistake of falling in love with my bestfriend." This line made Magdangal as the Mother of all Friendzone lines. Also, the film's immortality was again proven in 2017 when it filled up two cinemas at U.P. Town Center during the premiere of its digitally restored and remastered version by the ABS-CBN Film Restoration Project. On the following year, the team up once again showed their capability in attracting crowd via another box-office hit Hey Babe!. Also, on the same year, the perennial love team top-billed the successful primetime drama-comedy television series Labs Ko Si Babe aired from 2 August 1999 to 10 November 2000. At the conclusion of Labs Ko Si Babe, Magdangal was given her own sitcom Arriba, Arriba! where she stayed from 2000 to 2002. Simultaneous to her successful television career was numerous movie assignments. In 1996, after only having supporting roles, she was given her first movie lead in Ang TV The Movie: The Adarna Adventures where she played the classic magical bird, Ibong Adarna. Aside from the Marvin-Jolina big screen collaborations, Magdangal also led the cast in the comedy-drama-fantasy film Puso ng Pasko playing the role of a magical fairy. The said film was Star Cinema's official entry to the 1998 Metro Manila Film Festival winning 3rd Best Picture while Magdangal was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress category. In the new millennium, Magdangal was paired with Robin Padilla in the action film Tunay na Tunay: Gets Mo? Gets Ko! and played the role of a young and rich Chinese girl trying to escape an arranged marriage. The movie not only received positive reviews, but was also successful in the box-office, eventually, Padilla and Magdangal was named by the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation as the King and Princess of Philippine Movies of the year 2000. In 2002, Magdangal top-billed the fantasy-romantic-comedy film Kung Ikaw Ay Isang Panaginip. The said film "showcased [Director Wenn Deramas'] penchant for the downright absurd [...] which [featured] the typical [Magdangal]-character falling for a billboard model, [and was] framed like a typical romantic comedy, complete with a predictable love triangle and other stereotypical issues, but is differentiated by its extremely playful take on fantasy-based love." The movie tested Magdangal's solo capability in attracting movie crowd and was positively affirmed when she, for the second time, received the title Princess of Philippine Movies in recognition of the film's box-office success. In the same year, Magdangal was cast in the family-oriented movie Home Along Da Riber alongside comedian Dolphy, which was an entry for the 2002 Metro Manila Film Festival. Apart from acting, Magdangal also excelled as a recording artist in this decade. She was the first Walt Disney recording artist in the Philippines with the release of her debut album A Wish Comes True in 1996. And in 1999, she released her first Star Records (now Star Music) album Jolina which was certified 7x Platinum for reaching over 280,000 sales. The said record was also declared by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry as the best-selling album of the year 1999. The record produced the Magdangal-original hit "Laging Tapat" and her version of "Paper Roses". On the following year, Magdangal released an all-revival album On Memory Lane, which, after three days of its release, was certified by PARI with a Gold Record status. Eventually, the album was certified 6x Platinum for achieving over 240,000 sales and was dubbed as one of the finest local albums ever produced in the Philippines. Magdangal was praised in her work for On Memory Lane for delivering a "polished and self-assured" interpretation of the songs from the 50s and 60s. Today, the sales of Jolina and On Memory Lane, when converted to the present thresholds, each can be considered both achieving a Diamond Record status. In 2002, Magdangal showed her maturity development via the album Jolina Sings The Masters'. The album consisted a collection of songs from famous composers in the country whose works have become contemporary classics in the industry. Here, Magdangal explored adult emotions in the works of the Masters. Magdangal also released several movie soundtracks and has been the voice behind the classic theme songs of various movies, television programs and radio station, making her the Undisputed Movie Theme Song and Soundtrack Queen (or Theme Song Queen). Most of her theme song hits came from her own movie soundtracks such as "T.L. Ako Sayo" a duet with Marvin Agustin and "May Masisilungan Ako" a duet with Maricel Soriano both from the movie Kung Ayaw Mo Huwag Mo; "Tameme" from F.L.A.M.E.S.: The Movie; "Hintayin Mo Lang" from Ang TV Movie: The Adarna Adventure; "Kapag Ako Ay Nagmahal" from Labs Kita… Okey Ka Lang?; "Mahal Mo Ba Ako?" from Gimik: The Reunion; and "Chuva Choo Choo" from Hey Babe!. "Kapag Ako Ay Nagmahal" and "Chuva Choo Choo" were even revived in 2016 and used again as theme songs in the television series FlordeLiza and the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival entry Beauty and the Bestie with Vice Ganda. Moreover, Magdangal was the voice behind the classic theme songs "Baby Love" from the movie of the same title, "Minsan Sa Ating Buhay" in the classic film Magic Temple, and the cinema finale version of "Mara Clara" from the movie of the same title. Aside from movie theme songs, she also sang the theme song of various television programs such as "Alas Singko Y Media" (Alas Singko Y Medya), "Walang Imposible" (Wish Ko Lang), "Alinlangan" (Super Twins), "Pasko Ng Kapuso" (Christmas Station I.D.); and was even the voice of a radio station's jingle "For Life!" with Jimmy Bondoc (WRR 101.9 For Life!), and many more. In 2002, Magdangal left ABS-CBN and transferred to its rival network, GMA Network (GMA 7). During the first half of her decade-stay at the said network, she was immediately given projects designed for a star of her status. She became part of the Sunday variety show SOP and its replacement, Party Pilipinas. Also in the same year, Magdangal led the cast of the youth-oriented television weekly series Kahit Kailan. Even though her character Frankie only entered on the Book 2, the story revolved in the said character and was paired to James Blanco. However, on the third season, Magdangal left the show to do her first GMA 7 primetime drama series Narito Ang Puso Ko where she played the lead role of a long-lost granddaughter of a wealthy Dona. The drama series ran from 2003 to 2004 and was directed by Eric Quizon and Gina Alajar; while Magdangal was supported by the country's award-winning and top artists, the likes of Raymart Santiago, Amy Austria, Rosa Rosal, Eddie Garcia, Ariel Rivera, Dina Bonnevie, Raymond Bagatsing, and Carmina Villarroel. In 2004, Magdangal filmed her first movie under Viva Films, Annie B.. According to reports, the movie's original concept was intended for a first time collaboration of Magdangal and the Superstar Nora Aunor and was initially entitled Anak Ni Annie Batungbakal. However, the concept did not push through and the story was revised. Part of the supporting cast were Dingdong Dantes and Jordan Herrera as her love-triangle, and Gloria Romero, Amy Austria, and the-then new comer Sarah Geronimo. Annie B. did not fare well in the box-office, and critics believed that it was because of the lack of publicity. Magdangal's hosting talent was further developed at GMA Network by several hosting jobs. From 2004 to 2007, she was tapped to host the most popular and successful talent-search/reality show Starstruck (Kids, Season 2, Season 3 and Season 4). The said talent-search produced the names of Miguel Tanfelix in the Kids edition, and Mike Tan, Ryza Cenon, LJ Reyes, Megan Young, Marky Cielo, Jackie Rice, Aljur Abrenica, Kris Bernal, among others. With the success of the show, in 2005, GMA Films produced the movie Lovestruck with Magdangal having a special role. Adding up to her hosting achievements were her stints as a co-host in the longest running morning show in the Philippines, Unang Hirit, from 2005 to 2009, and in Dear Friend alongside Marvin Agustin from 2008 to 2010. Her hosting jobs earned her nominations in various award-giving bodies and winning two Best Talent Search Program Host trophies in the 18th (shared with Luis Manzano and Jodi Santamaria) and 21st (shared with Dingdong Dantes and Raymond Gutierrez) PMPC Star Awards for Television for StarStruck Kids and StarStruck: The Next Level, respectively, and one (1) Best Morning Show Host award (shared with the co-hosts) in the 22nd PMPC Star Awards for Television for Unang Hirit. While Magdangal was busy with all her hosting jobs, she was able to released three albums under GMA Records, Forever Jolina in 2004, Tuloy Pa Rin Ang Awit in 2006, and Destiny in 2008. Forever Jolina was the first ever release of the then newly set up GMA Records. It received a Gold Record certification and produced the single "Bahala Na" in which, with its MTV directed by Louie Ignacio, Magdangal won the Female Favorite Artist during the 2004 MTV Pilipinas Awards. While in the latter two albums, the following singles were produced, "Maybe It's You", "Hanggang Kailan", and "Will of the Wind". In between these hosting and recording engagements, Magdangal, in 2007 and 2008 was cast in two films, the horror-thriller film Ouija and the romantic-comedy movie I.T.A.L.Y.. Ouija, was the first full-length movie project of Magdangal and her natural rival Judy Ann Santos and was also their first horror movie. The movie received positive reviews and was a recipient of several awards and nominations. On the other hand, the film I.T.A.L.Y. was filmed in three different continents: Asia, Europe and Africa. Also, Magdangal top-billed another two successful primetime television series, I Luv NY in 2006 and Adik Sa'Yo in 2009, both with her long-time onscreen partner Marvin Agustin. I Luv NY was a reunion project of the Marvin-Jolina tandem sharing lead roles with the then emerging love team up of Jennylyn Mercado and Mark Herras, and was the first Philippine TV soap taped in New York City. While Adik Sa'Yo is another romantic-comedy series directed by Joel Lamangan. The challenging years (2010–2013) However, at some point in her stay at the Kapuso Network, her becoming less busy was already hurting Magdangal's fans, and in the showbiz industry, it is a normal understanding, but not all the time accurate, that when a star gets lesser engagements, the artist is already on the verge of what they called as Laos. This was clarified by Magdangal by saying: "Laos? Hindi ako naka feel na walang walang wala na talaga eh. Hindi ako nawala sa TV. Yung iba nagasawa, nagpahinga, nawala. Ako, nandiyan lang. Hindi man bonggang-bongga, pero hindi ako nawala sa eksena." True enough, Magdangal, even with only supporting roles, was still seen in the 2010 primetime television series Grazilda as a fairy god mother, and as the main antagonist in Iglot (2011) with Marvin Agustin and Claudine Barreto, and in Mundo Mo'y Akin (2013), respectively. Aside from the said supporting roles, she was the lead host along with Jean Garcia on GMA News TV's Personalan and one of the mentors in Protégé: The Battle For The Big Artista Break in 2011 and 2012, respectively, the former gave her and Garcia a nomination for Best Public Program Host in the 27th PMPC Star Awards for Television. The resiliency of a certified star It is an obvious fact that in the showbiz industry, there is no such thing as permanent. Just like any other artist, there will come to a point that a star, however brightly shining it is, will soon dim. Here, the real test of a star's character will be tested. After all, a certified star is not measured on how they fall, but on how the stood up and made a comeback. A successful second coming always measures a star's resiliency status, just like how the biggest names in the industry overcome the same. For Magdangal, there was no hiatus, just slowing down. And in 2014, after giving birth to her son to Rivermaya drummer Mark Escueta, she made a "killer comeback" After Magdangal left for the last 12 years, she made a homecoming at her first network, ABS-CBN, but this time, no longer the outlandish teen, but a more experienced and matured star. Right away, we found her in a comeback project reuniting her with solid love team partner, Marvin Agustin, in the afternoon soap FlordeLiza directed by Wenn Deramas. Magdangal considers the same to be one of her greatest and most demanding work in terms of acting. In the said afternoon soap, Magdangal played the role of a mistress but with a different depiction of the typical mistress characters. For her effective portrayal, Magdangal was nominated Best Drama Actress in the 29th PMPC Star Awards for Television. Already an established host, she was finally back in the Sunday variety program ASAP showing her hosting and singing skills in her own segment Love Songs & Stories (LSS). In 2016, she was given another hosting project via the morning show Magandang Buhay together with her co-artists from Your Face Sounds Familiar, Karla Estrada and Melai Cantiveros. The morning show is proving its staying power as it continuously receiving awards from various award giving bodies and is a consistent top rater. 8 years after her last album, at the last quarter of 2016, Magdangal went back to her first love of singing. She officially released her comeback album Back to Love in 2016, and after two weeks, PARI certified the same with a Gold Record status. Magdangal, as well as the album, received positive reviews from critics and she was even awarded the Best Female Recording Artist of the Year in the 8th PMPC Star Awards for Music. Personal life Magdangal was born on 6 November 1978 in Tagaytay, Cavite to Generoso "Jun" Magdangal Jr. and Paulette Perez-Magdangal. She is the 2nd child of her Filipino parents. She has an older sister and younger brother. Magdangal was previously linked to her leading man, Marvin Agustin. They were fondly called "Mother Jolens" and "Father Marbles". In November 2011, she married Rivermaya's drummer Mark Escueta. On 15 July 2013, they announced that they were expecting their first child. Their son was born in February 2014. On 8 November 2017, Magdangal and Escueta announced that they were expecting their second child. Legacies "Much of the nineties belonged to Jolina Magdangal". Only few artists had their own decade, and Magdangal was one of them. The vibrant decade of the 90's is always associated with her "colorful persona reflected on her girl, quirky style setting the trend in teens and teens at heart". She was the "most charming Pinay cutie pie of the late 90's – early '00s [and remained as] the perennial apple of our eyes and the showbiz industry's unanimous peg for wholesomeness and baby face-dome". She was the "teen fashion icon who made glittery butterfly clips and full bangs with long hair the rage among her fans in the 1990s".  Hers "remains a solid name and one that is unblemished with nary a scandal or controversy". Indeed, Magdangal has defined the Philippines' popular culture, and the title Pinoy Pop Culture Philosopher is rightfully fitting next to her name. Magdangal has set the standards of a teen idol and teen queen not just by her career achievements, but also by being a role model. This was attested by being a recipient of the German Moreno Youth Achievement Award in 1999 and the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences' (FAMAS Award) Youth Achievement Award also in 1999. Her endeavors did not escape the eyes of various government institutions by bestowing her the Gintong Kabataan Award by the Presidential Youth Development Council and the Young Achievers and Professionals Foundation, both in 1999. The latter's awarding ceremony was held at the Malacañang Palace and the award was handed to her by then the First Lady of the Philippines, Dr. Loi Ejercito. In 2001, she was awarded with a Youth Role Model Award from the Government Service Insurance System, the Offices of the Muslim Affairs and Cultural Affairs under the Office of the President. On the same year, she was tapped to host The Working President on PTV (then NBN) during the term of the former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo which proved that she was a "true-blue epitome of a role model of the youth [and] pride of the industry". Even before that, she was bestowed a Youth Role Model Award by the National Youth Commission and even made her the first ever National Youth Advocate. With career extending to as far as the United States through her concert tours and other engagements, the US government, through the United States Department of Homeland Security, acknowledging her talents and achievements overseas, particularly in the United States, granted her the Alien of extraordinary ability. In addition, in 2005, she bagged the coveted Serviam Award, a special citation given by the Catholic Mass Media Awards to "individuals in mass media who have given much of their lifetime to endeavors that help alleviate the plight of the less fortunate and the helpless, and inspire others to uphold the Christian values." The citation reads: "The Catholic Mass Media Awards Foundation elevates Ms. Jolina Magdangal as a Paragon of a Socially-Conscious Performing Artist for consistently making herself a model of responsible behavior and her active participation in humanitarian projects benefitting the youth, the needy and the hopeless." In 2007, for her achievements not only in entertainment but also in other fields, Magdangal was awarded the Golden Artist Award by the FAMAS Awards. Meanwhile, in a 2008 survey by the international cable TV network, CNN, Magdangal emerged as the "most preferred personality in the country" while in a similar survey conducted by The Filipino Channel (TFC) among its subscribers in the United States, Middle East, Europe, Australia and Asia, she was also right alongside the country's most popular showbiz personalities. In 2009, she was awarded her own star at the Philippines' Walf of Fame and a life-sized standee at the Mowelfund's Paradise of Stars. In the book Showbiz Lengua: Chika & Chismaz about Chuvachuchu by Jose F. Lacaba, the term Chuvachuchu, according to writer Bibeth Orteza, is used as a substitute word to words or phrases that can't be expressed by artists. According to Lacaba, the said term, originating from Magdangal's hit song, was even used by politicians in their speeches for humor. Stars of today have also acknowledged Magdangal's influence on them, directly or indirectly. In an interview, the now Multimedia Star Toni Gonzaga has expressed her gratitude to Magdangal for being her inspiration since she began her showbiz career. In Gonzaga's words: "Napakalaking inspirasyon ni Jolina lalo na nung '90s sa mga katulad namin na aspiring makapasok sa industriya. I got a chance to work with her as front act sa mga concert niya. Hindi mo mararamdaman nung time na 'yun kung gaano siya kalaking artista [kasi] nakikipag-usap siya sa akin na akala mo hindi siya si Jolina Magdangal"…"Sinabi ng daddy ko sa akin, 'Kung meron kang isang artista na tutularan kapag narating mo 'yung kung ano man ang gusto mong marating, dapat si Jolina 'yun.' Hindi siya nagbabago. Sinabi ng dad ko 'yan". While the critically acclaimed Best Actress Angel Locsin also shared in an interview that she was once a back-up dancer in one of Magdangal's music videos, saying: "tapos ang bait bait mo Ate Jolina, na siyempre hindi mo kami kilala, nasa likod lang naman kame, syempre gusto mo kausapin diba, so ta-try ka, hahanap ka ng moment na hindi ka mapapagalitan, pero didiskarte ka para makausap, si Ate Jolina, ang nice lang niya, naka ngiti lang siya sa amin, ine-entertain mo yung mga walang kwentang tanong namin". Likewise, Jodi Sta. Maria once recalled that she first appeared in television via Magdangal's drama series Star Drama Presents… Jolina. Also, today's Teen King Daniel Padilla also revealed that Magdangal was his ultimate childhood crush. While internet sensation Jake Zyrus also revealed in an interview that he idolize Magdangal remembering that "noong bata pa ako siguro mga 8 or 9 years old nag-mall show si idol sa Laguna, 'yun 'yung mayroon siyang [butterfly]. Maaga kaming pumunta doon, kaya lang noong dumating siya sobrang daming tao so hindi ako nakasingit. So nandoon ako sa likod ng stage, so sapatos lang po ang nakita ko. Kaya 'yung first time na magkakasama tayo sa [Tuguegarao] sobrang na-starstruck po ako. Kinakabahan tuloy ako." Further, in an interview with John Vic De Guzman in Philippine Super Liga's PSL Insider, Philippine Volleyball Beast Mode Don't Care Queen, Aby Maraño, a University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Champion and MVP, shares the reason behind her trademark hairclips by pertaining to Magdangal's trendsetting colorful clips during the 90's. In Maraño's words: "Nung bata kasi ako, idol na idol ko si Jolina Magdangal". In 2017, with Magdangal doing most of the time hosting engagements, a parody account named Jolegend Slaydangal reminded everyone of Magdangal's capabilities and why she is worthy of the title as the country's Queen of Pop. Said parody account became an instant hit among netizens and produced a number of memes gloryfying Magdangal's successes in the showbiz industry. "The creative minds behind the fan page have dedicated themselves to producing content that not only glorifies their idol but also entertains their almost 20k-strong following. And given [Magdangal's] (literally) colorful run in show business, finding Internet gems is just too easy."