Trigger warning: Mention of sexual assault, sexual harassment, rape
Gerald Santos counts among the many OPM (Original Pinoy Music) artists who have helped shape Filipino music over the years.
Dubbed "The Prince of Ballad," Gerald's rise to fame began when he emerged as the grand champion in the second season of GMA-7's talent search, Pinoy Pop Superstar.
Since then, his career has soared, taking him from local stardom to international acclaim as a performing artist in London, United Kingdom, and Copenhagen, Denmark.
However, recent happenings have thrust him back into the spotlight for reasons unrelated to his music career, as he finds himself a resource person in one of the biggest issues in Philippine showbiz today.
As public interest grows around him owing to these developments, PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) revisits the life and career of Gerald.
Read: Gerald Santos speaks up about "sexual harassment" at 15
BACKGROUND
Full Name
Gerald Padua Santos is the full name that appears on his legal documents.
Renowned for his soothing voice and heartfelt serenades, he has earned the title of “The Prince of Ballad.”
Birthday, Age, Zodiac Signs
Gerald, 33, was born on May 15, 1991, which places him under the astrological sign Taurus, known to embody traits of reliability, patience, and a strong work ethic.
Born in the Chinese Year of the Metal Goat, he is characterized by a harmonious blend of creativity, resilience, and an appreciation for beauty and art.
Hometown
He hails from Navotas, a bustling city within Metro Manila often referred to as the "Fishing Capital of the Philippines."
Navotas is a city intertwined with the maritime industry, known for its vibrant fish markets and thriving fishing industry that sustain much of the local economy.
Family
Gerald is the second of five children born to Danilo and Mary Ann Santos.
His parents both worked at the Navotas Fish Port, one of the largest fish ports in Southeast Asia, where they toiled daily to make ends meet and provide for their family.
Despite financial constraints, Danilo and Mary Ann prioritized nurturing Gerald's budding interest in music from an early age.
They recognized his talent early on and supported his dreams, even when resources were scarce.
EDUCATION
Gerald's passion for singing started during his middle school years at the Daanghari Elementary School.
While studying at Tangos National High School, he auditioned for Pinoy Pop Superstar Season 2, which would become the launchpad for his illustrious career.
CAREER
Gerald's television debut
Years of success in the music industry began with Gerald's 2005 audition for Pinoy Pop Superstar—a reality competition show by GMA Network, then hosted by "Asia's Songbird" Regine Velasquez.
After months of intense competition, Gerald emerged as the winner.
His victory opened doors, and he quickly became a mainstay on GMA’s musical variety shows, SOP and Party Pilipinas.
His TV stint was cemented through his acting debut in 2006, playing the brother of Jolina Magdangal's character in GMA’s primetime teleserye I Luv New York.
Around the same time, he co-hosted the show Popstar Kids on QTV.
When he transferred to TV5 in 2010, he appeared in several shows, including P.O.5 (2010), Fantastik (2011), Sunday Funday (2012), and Hey It's Saberday! (2012).
Moreover, he also performed the theme song for the drama series starring Nora Aunor and Christopher de Leon, Sa Ngalan ng Ina (2011), composed by the National Artist Ryan Cayabyab.
Gerald continued to build his television career by performing regularly on the now-defunct songwriting competition A Song of Praise on UNTV, hosted by Richard Reynoso and Toni Rose Gayda.
Read: Gerald Santos feels at home on TV5; has a new, youth-oriented variety show
Musical endeavors and Concerts
At the tender age of 15, while still in high school, Gerald released his debut album A Day on the Rainbow in November 2006.
Two years later, in 2008, he followed up with his second album, Gerald Santos: Pinakahihintay.
His third album, Gerald Santos: The Prince of Ballad, was released in 2012, further establishing his reputation as a rising star in the music industry.
In July 2015, he released his fourth album, Kahit Anong Mangyari, an all-original collection that showcased his growth as an artist.
His career reached new heights in May 2017 when he signed a two-year contract with Star Music Philippines, where he was able to release the single "I Am Yours" in June 2017, followed by "Hindi Pa Huli ang Lahat" in August 2017.
Gerald’s success in the recording studio translated into a thriving concert career, earning him numerous accolades.
Some of his most notable performances include Major Move Concert (2012), Gerald Santos: Metamorphosis (2015), Something New In My Life (2017), Gerald Santos: The Homecoming (2019), and UNLIMITED (2020).
Movies
It didn't take long before Gerald ventured into film with his debut feature, Memory Channel (2016), at the helm of director Rayn Brizuela.
The movie, in which he co-starred with Epy Quizon, Bodjie Pascua, and Michelle Vito, was selected for the 2016 World Premieres Film Festival, where it competed against other Filipino films.
He received praise for his portrayal of an amnesia patient grappling with anxiety and panic attacks.
Subsequently, he took on the titular role in the documentary film Emilio Jacinto: Utak ng Katipunan (2017), produced by the National Historical Commission in the direction of Pat Perez.
His other movie credits include Al Coda (with Marion Aunor, 2022), Mamasapano: Now It Can Be Told (2022), and Oras de Peligro (2023).
Theatrical work
Currently, Gerald places much of his focus in his Europe-based theatrical work.
His breakthrough in the world of theater came when he was cast in the UK/International Tour of Miss Saigon after a successful audition in 2016.
From July 2017 to March 2019, he played the antagonist role of Thuy, a Viet Cong officer, performing the character 553 times across five countries in the United Kingdom and Europe.
Reflecting on the experience, he noted, "I don't think Thuy is a villain; he is just misunderstood, a victim of circumstances. I really wanted to play him."
During the tour, he embraced his new life abroad, even adopting a British accent. "I was enjoying my life. London is cold, but I love it—I love the culture, the people," he fondly recalled.
While Miss Saigon's Thuy was his most prominent role, Gerald's theater career began earlier.
In 2011, he starred in Gantimpala Theater Foundation's Sino Ka Ba Jose Rizal.
He later played the lead in San Pedro Calungsod: Teen Saint at Seventeen (2012) and its sequel San Pedro Calungsod: The Musical (2019-2020), both produced by Redlife Entertainment Productions Inc., where he also contributed as the musical's composer.
Gerald returned to the Manila stage in October 2019, playing Anthony Hope in Atlantis Theatrical's production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, directed by Bobby Garcia.
The show was staged at The Theater at Solaire in Manila and later at the Marina Bay Sands Theatre in Singapore from November 28 to December 8, 2020.
Read: Gerald Santos, "dumudugo" na ang ilong at utak dahil sa pag-aaral ng Danish para sa Miss Saigon
Accolades
- Male Pop Artist of the Year at the 3rd Star Awards for Music (2011) for Pinakahihintay: The Repackaged Edition
- Best Concert Performance (Male) at the 24th Aliw Awards (2011) for his Major Move Concert, Music Museum
- Revival Album of the Year at the 5th Star Awards for Music (2013) for Gerald Santos: The Prince of Ballad
- Pinakapasadong Dangal ng Kabataan at the 2015 Gawad Pasado for Pinakapasadong Dangal ng Kabataan
- Best Major Concert (Male) at the 28th Aliw Awards (2015) for Gerald Santos: Metamorphosis
- Best Concert Performance (Male) at the 30th Aliw Awards (2017) for Something New In My Life, SM North Edsa Sky Dome
- Best Major Concert (Male) at the 32nd Aliw Awards (2019) for Gerald Santos: The Homecoming Concert, The Theatre at Solaire
- Best Major Concert (Male) at the 33rd Aliw Awards (2020) for UNLIMITED, NPAT Resorts World Manila
- Best Online Performer at the 33rd Aliw Awards (2020) for The Great Shift
- Entertainer of the Year at the 33rd Aliw Awards (2020)
- Stage Performer of the Decade by BroadwayWorld Philippines (2021) for San Pedro Calungsod the Musical
- Best Lead Actor in a Musical at the 35th Aliw Awards (2022) for I Will: The Musical, Metropolitan Theater
- Entertainer of the Year at the 35th Aliw Awards (2022)
- Stage Performer of the Year by BroadwayWorld Philippines (2023) for I Will: The Musical, Metropolitan Theater
PERSONAL LIFE
Gerald's non-showbiz partner
In 2019, Gerald opened up to PEP.ph about his relationship status, "Yes, I'm seeing a non-showbiz girl, pero no commitments muna. Let's see what happens... it depends." in
With numerous opportunities coming his way, Gerald prioritized his career.
"You see, everything is coming in right now. There's a lot of opportunities, so I can't let this pass. So, yun ang status ko ngayon," he related.
Gerald also mentioned his preference for dating non-Filipino women, saying, "If I have the choice, gusto ko ay foreigner.
"Sa cast naman, hindi naman bawal, pero natuto ako sa mga nakita ko.
"Like, yung nagkaroon ng relationships at the beginning of the show, and then nagkahiwalay, hindi sila nakakapagtrabaho nang maayos.
"May mga bitterness, may mga words na mga nasasabi na hindi magaganda."
To avoid such complications, Gerald made it a point to keep any potential relationships outside of work.
"Kaya sabi ko, kung magkakaroon man ng relationship or anything about that, sa labas. So, yun," he concluded in this PEP interview during the contract signing for his Unlimited! concert on July 6, 2019.
Although the balladeer acknowledged the cultural distinctions among his castmates, he noted that he was particularly attracted to this gap.
"Yeah, probably when I saw that, yung attracted sila sa Asians dahil parang iba. But, of course, it's difficult.
"When you're in UK [United Kingdom], the culture is different, at masyado akong nanibago," he admitted.
Standing up for victims of sexual harassment, rape
On August 2, 2024, Gerald expressed his support for 23-year-old Sandro Muhlach, who filed a complaint against GMA-7's independent contractors, Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz.
The Muhlach family's lawsuit involved allegations of sexual assault and rape, although the accused parties claimed that at most, they could only be penalized for acts of lasciviousness
Regardless, Gerald empathized with Sandro, revealing that he had once faced a similar situation.
His caption read (published as is): "Ang dami nagmemessage, nagta-tag sa akin about this issue.
"Nagbalik ang sakit sa akin at hindi ko maiwasan maluha to imagine ang sinapit nya. My heart goes to Sandro and the whole Muhlach Family..
"I was once in this situation but back then wala kang boses, walang social media. Unlike ngayon na nagkaroon na ng #MeToo movement. But i will hold my head up high for standing up amidst tremendous pressure to just let go of what happened.
"I hope he gets the justice i was once denied of [praying hands emoji]"
It can be recalled that in 2010, Gerald's own experience with sexual harassment was brought to light.
Gerald, then 19 years old, filed a complaint against a prominent figure at GMA, but the case was handled internally as an administrative matter.
When asked about it in October 2012, Gerald told PEP, "Wala na po, actually administrative case lang po kasi iyon. So, sa loob lang po inayos, ganun po yung nangyari."
At the time, Gerald chose not to pursue the case further, saying, "Hindi na po, siguro... kumbaga, magtatanim lang po kami ng sama ng loob.
"Kumbaga, ang iniisip lang namin nung panahon na yun, kumbaga, move on with my career.
"Talagang tumayo dahil talagang dapa kami noon, e, nung time na yun—yung career ko."
Even though the accused was removed from the network, Gerald revealed that he is yet to receive an apology.
For those suffering from these issues, he advised: "Actually, sabi ko nga po noon, kasi po parang nagkaroon ng isyu na parang takot tuloy ako sa mga bading, parang ganun.
"Sabi ko, hindi. Sabi ko, ang naging isyu lang po dun, kumbaga, against my will, e, ang nangyayari po noon. Sabi ko, kung gusto, gusto; kung ayaw, ayaw.
"Or kung ayaw, huwag naman sanang gumanti or magkaroon ng personal na paghihiganti.
"Ang magiging advice ko lang sa iba, kung ano yung nasa puso niyo, kung ano yung gusto niyo, kunin niyo. Kung ayaw niyo, ayaw niyo. Pangatawanan nila."
Becoming a resource person in the Sandro Muhlach case
On account of position as a public figure in the same industry as Sandro, Gerald was asked to serve as a resource person in the Senate proceedings on August 19, 2024, concerning Sandro's case.
A resource person is someone called upon to provide relevant information or expertise during a formal inquiry, often in legal or legislative settings, to help clarify specific issues under discussion.
During the hearing, Gerald recounted how he had been harassed early in his career by someone in a significant position within the company he worked for.
Before his appearance, he closely followed the Senate's "Policies of Television Networks and Artist Management Agencies in Relation to Complaints of Abuse and Harassment" hearing on August 6, which also addressed Sandro's case.
Gerald's role as a resource person came after he released a three-part YouTube vlog on August 8, where he detailed his own experience of being sexually violated.
"Yung actual po na harassment na ginawa po sa akin happened on December 26, 2005," he conveyed in the vlog.
"Ako po ay 15 years old lamang nung panahon na yun at wala po talaga akong lakas ng loob, wala po akong gulugod.
"I cannot defend myself through words dahil ako po talaga ay helpless at baguhan, at napakabata po.
"Hindi ko po ma-imagine na kung ako po ay magkakaanak, yung 15 years old kong anak, pagdadaanan po yung aking napagdaanan."
Read: Gerald Santos, naubos ang ipon sa panonood ng Broadway plays