Aicelle Santos

Aicelle Santos
Birth name	Aicelle Anne Santos
Also known as	The Philippines "Ballad Princess"
Born	(1985-02-24) February 24, 1985
Origin	Manila, Philippines
Genres	Pop, Soul, R&B, OPM
Occupation(s)	Singer-Songwriter, Pianist, Actress
Years active	2005-present
Labels	GMA Records

Aicelle Anne Santos (born February 24, 1985) is a Filipino soul, R&B, pop, and jazz singer-songwriter, pianist, and actress who first emerged in the Philippine music scene as a contestant in a nationwide search for the next best singer during the first season of ABS-CBN's Star In A Million. She has been known as the "First Undefeated Pinoy Pop Superstar", when she achieved eight straight wins in GMA Network's Pinoy Pop Superstar, and as the Philippines' "Ballad Princess." ^[1][2]

Biography

Early Life and Career

At the age of six, Aicelle Santos or "AA" received abecedarian musical training at the St. Theresa's College Quezon City, and the University of the Philippines School of Music for Piano. The early training allowed Aicelle to indulge in her original dream to become a famous pianist. However, a shift in focus took place as she realized she would rather be a famous singer than be a known pianist. Aicelle's inspiration on the field came from Walt Disney's character Ariel from the movie The Little Mermaid. The movie's theme song "Part of Your World" was the first song Aicelle memorized, which she also performed during her elementary school programs.

While still at her first year of college at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Aicelle joined ABS-CBN's Season 1 of Star In A Million (2003), her first take on a nationwide televised singing competition. The competition opened many doors for Aicelle. Although she sometimes struggled, she eventually struck a balance between attending university and focusing on her blossoming singing career.

Aicelle took advantage of the minor fame that her Star In A Million appearance gave her and showcased her talents on top performers' settings with a new acoustic group Dream Sequence. Dream Sequence proved to be a success on its own right, and brought its three members to many cities around the Philippines. The Metro’s prime stages Bagaberde, Chef and Brewer, Phi Bar, Fiesta San Miguel in Dusit, E’s Bar in Edsa Shangri-La, and others became the group's main performing stages. The nightly gigs are believed to have been Aicelle’s training ground for improving her vocal and stage performance.

On January 4, 2016 Aicelle Santos is joined Dinggin Mo Oh Dios with Reymond Sajor, Leah Patricio, Rachelle Ann Go, Frencheska Farr, Jonalyn Viray, Rita De Guzman, RJ Buena & Kyla. on February 14, 2016 Aicelle will be contestant in Sunday Central Club Battle Of The Champions with Reymond Sajor Lizbeth Yap Dy & Julie Anne San Jose.

Personal Life

Aicelle Santos is cousin of Kapamilya singer and The Prince of Pop, Erik Santos.

Audition

Pinoy Pop Superstar

In 2005, Aicelle once again decided to aim for a solo singing career by joining the second season of the Philippine’s TV hit singing competition, Pinoy Pop Superstar. An eight-straight win during preliminaries put Aicelle on top and on the show's history, as the first 'Undefeated Superstar.' She performed her versions of:

• All The Man That I Need - Week 1,
• I Need You - Week 2,
• Natural Woman - Week 3,
• A House Is Not A Home - Week 4,
• Respect - Week 5,
• Summertime - Week 6,
• A Song For You - Week 7,
• Man In The Mirror - Week 8.

Aicelle got into the finals favoured to win. On PPS's season finale, Aicelle Santos claimed first runner-up and signed a record deal and an exclusive management contract under GMA Artist Centre. Her story in Pinoy Pop Superstar is somehow related to Sheryn Regis.^[3]

Music Career

Once again, Aicelle proved her vocal competence when she won "Best Performance of Own Country Song" representing the Philippines in Astana Music Festival in Kazakhstan. Aicelle bested delegates from 13 countries around the world, including Mexico, Peru, Finland, Romania, Latvia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Tajikistan, Lithuania, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malta, and China. Her winning piece was entitled "Bakit Di Subukan", a Vehnee Saturno composition which is a Tagalog-English song ("If We Just Hold On" in English). Following this triumph was Aicelle’s recognition for "People’s Choice Best New Female Artist" in the 2007 Awit Awards.

In 2007, Aicelle is visible in the Philippines recording scene with her debut album Make Me Believe, a 14-cut album under GMA Records. Ikaw Pa Rin is her hit single in the charts.

In 2008, she joined fellow Pinoy Pop Superstar contestents Jona and Maricris Garcia to form the musical group La Diva.

On February 25, 2015, Aicelle held her first solo concert, Class A, at the PETA Theatre. ^[4] On the same year, she released the music video of her latest single Kapangyarihan ng Pag-ibig.

Theatrical Works

In 2012, Aicelle auditioned and was part of the shortlist for the 2014 West End revival of Miss Saigon.^[5]

In 2013, she debuted in the theatrical scene by portraying the role of Katy in the Philippine musical entitled "Katy! the Musical". She also stars in another musical entitled "Rak of Aegis" where she plays the lead character, Aileen (alternating with Kim Molina). The musical had several runs but Aicelle continues to play the role till present.^[6][7] Aicelle won Best Actress in a Musical in the 2014 Aliw Awards for her performance in Rak of Aegis.^[8]

In 2015, Aicelle had a special participation in the musical entitled Sabel: Love and Passion.

Discography

Studio albums

• Make Me Believe (2007)
• Liwanag (2015)

Singles

• "Ikaw Pa Rin" (2007)
• "Make Me Believe" (2007)
• "Kapangyarihan Ng Pag-Ibig" (2015)
• "Liwanag" (2016)

Soundtracks

• "Tayong Dalawa" (2006) (from Bakekang)
• "Maghihintay" (2007) (from Impostora)
• MariMar (2007) (from MariMar)
• "I'll Never Go" (with Gian Magdangal) (2013) (from My Lady Boss)
• "Paliparin ang Pangarap" (with Maricris Garcia) (2013) (from Adarna)
• "Be With You" (2015) (from The Rich Man's Daughter)
• "Nasaan" (with Maricris Garcia) (2015) (from Beautiful Strangers)
• "Hanggang Makita Kang Muli" (2016) (from theme song of same teleserye)

Compilation albums

• The Pinoy Pop Superstar Year 2 Contenders' Album (2006)
  • Track 3: All The Man That I Need
• Mga Awit Mula Sa Puso, Vol. 2 (2006)
  • Track 3: "Tayong Dalawa"
• Mga Awit Kapuso, Vol. 4 (2008)
  • Track 3: "Marimar"
  • The Best of Mga Awit Kapuso (2009)
  • Track 10: "Tayong Dalawa"
• GMA Records No.1 Hits (2013)
  • Track: "Ikaw Pa Rin" (with Janno Gibbs)
• Take1: the Best of Awit Kapuso Originals (2013)
  • Track 9: "Marimar"
• Versions 7.1 (2014)
  • Track 2: "All the Man That I Need"

Theatre

Filmography

Television

As herself

As actress

Awards and recognitions

Contemporaries

• Jona
• Maricris Garcia
• Harry Santos
• Bryan Termulo
• Jan Nieto
• Gian Magdangal

References

External links

• Aicelle Santos Online
• Aicelle Multimedia at YouTube