Aicelle Santos

Aicelle Anne Coronel Santos-Zambrano (born February 24, 1985), is a Filipina singer-songwriter, pianist, and actress who first emerged in the Philippine music scene as a contestant in 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, "Rock and Soul Diva",[2] "Traffic Diva",[3] and "Soul Flair Songstress".[4] In 2009, she joined ABS-CBN's and TV5's line-up of talents.

In this Philippine name for married women, the birth middle name or maternal family name is Coronel, the birth surname or paternal family name is Santos, and the marital name is Zambrano.
Aicelle Santos
Born
Aicelle Anne Coronel Santos

(1985-02-24) February 24, 1985
Manila, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
Occupation
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • pianist
  • actress
Years active2003–present
AgentGMA Artist Center
Spouse(s)
Mark Zambrano
​
(m. 2019)​
[1]
Musical career
Genres
LabelsGMA Music

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 College 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 interpreted Dinggin Mo Oh Dios which was composed by Cris Bautista in A Song of Praise Music Festival year 4, a gospel songwriting competition, in UNTV 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.

In 2018, Santos bid farewell to fans as she will be leaving for United Kingdom to star as Gigi Van Tranh in the hit musical Miss Saigon.

Audition

Pinoy Pop Superstar

In 2005, Aicelle once again decided to aim for a solo singing career by joining the second season of 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 showcased her impressively wide vocal range on her performances 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 favored 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 Center. Her story in Pinoy Pop Superstar is somehow related to Sheryn Regis.[5]

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 contestants 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.[6] 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.[7]

In 2013, she debuted in the theatrical scene by portraying the role of Katy in Katy! the Musical. She also stars in 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.[8][9] Aicelle won Best Actress in a Musical in the 2014 Aliw Awards for her performance in Rak of Aegis.[10]

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

In 2017, she played Perla in the musical adaptation of Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag and won the 2017 Aliw Award for Best Actress in a Featured Role.[11][12]

In 2018, Aicelle played Elsa in the second revival of Himala: Isang Musikal, based on the 1982 film starring Nora Aunor. She is set to play the role of Gigi in the UK/Ireland tour of Miss Saigon.[13]

Vocal profile

Santos possesses the vocal range of a lyric mezzo soprano, spanning three full octaves (from the lowest note of Bb2 to the highest note of Bb5).

Personal life

Santos married her boyfriend of three years, broadcast journalist Mark Zambrano, on November 16, 2019 in San Juan, Batangas.[14] In June 2020, Santos announced on an Instagram post that she and Zambrano were expecting their first child, due in December.[15]

Discography
See also: La Diva (group) § Discography

Studio albums

Singles
  • "Ikaw Pa Rin" (2007)
  • "Make Me Believe" (2007)
  • "Kapangyarihan Ng Pag-Ibig" (2015)
  • "Liwanag" (2016)
  • "Palaging Ikaw" (2017)

Soundtracks

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)
  • Take1: the Best of Awit Kapuso Originals (2013)
    • Track 9: "Marimar"
  • Versions 7.1 (2014)
    • Track 2: "All the Man That I Need"

Theatre
Year Title Role Venue
2013Katy! the MusicalKatyCCP Theater
2014Rak of AegisAileenPETA Theater
2015Sabel: Love and Passion(special participation)Music Museum
2017Maynila sa mga Kuko ng LiwanagPerlaKia Theater
2018Himala: Isang MusikalElsaPowerMac Center Spotlight

Filmography

Television

As Herself

Year Program Notes
2005Star in a MillionAs contestant
2005–2006Pinoy Pop Superstar: Year 2As contestant
2006–2010SOPAs performer
2010–2013Party PilipinasAs performer
2013–2015Sunday All StarsAs performer
2015–2017Eat Bulaga!As Aegis Pa More contestant (2015)
as judge on various segments (2015–2016)
as co-host for Traffic Diva segment (2016) and Music Hero segment (2016–2017)
as model on Kalyeserye segment (2016)
as Cord Sponsor on Kalyeserye: The Wedding (2016)
2016Superstar DuetsAs Judge
2018–2019Studio 7As co-host / performer
2020–presentAll-Out SundayAs co-host / performer

As Actress

Year Program Role
2013Love and LiesLigaya Salvador
2013Kakambal ni ElianaDra. Katelyn Banal
2014Ang Dalawang Mrs. RealMay
2014Strawberry LaneLani Delgado
2015–2016Buena FamiliaOlga Vergara
2017ImpostoraDeedee Castro
2017Ang LarawanViolet

Awards and Recognitions
See also: La Diva (group) § Awards
Year Association Category Nominated Work Result
2006Astana Music Festival KazakhstanBest Performance of Own Country Song"Bakit Di Subukan"Won
2006Astana Music Festival KazakhstanInterpreter (Gold Medal)"Aking Ama"Won
200821st Awit AwardsBest Performance by a Female Recording Artist (Performance Award)"Ikaw Pa Rin"Nominated
200821st Awit AwardsBest R&B Recording (Creativity Awards)"Ikaw Pa Rin"Nominated
200821st Awit AwardsBest Performance by a Female Recording Artist (People's Choice)"Ikaw Pa Rin"Won
2008Guillermo Mendoza AwardsMost Promising Female SingerN/AWon
201427th Aliw AwardsBest Actress in a MusicalRak of AegisWon
20157th PMPC Star Awards for MusicFemale Concert Performer of the YearClass ANominated
201730th Aliw AwardsBest Actress for a Featured RoleMaynila sa mga Kuko ng LiwanagWon
201810th Gawad Buhay AwardsFemale Featured Performance in a MusicalMaynila sa mga Kuko ng LiwanagWon

Contemporaries

References
  1. News, ABS-CBN. "LOOK: Aicelle Santos, Mark Zambrano get married". ABS-CBN News.
  2. "Alden Richards, Aicelle Santos, and Aiai delas Alas celebrate #Sampuso in Japan | GMA International – Bringing Filipinos Abroad Closer to Home". Gmanetwork.com. October 1, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  3. "Aicelle Santos bilang 'Traffic Diva' ng Eat Bulaga: 'Expect the unexpected' | GMA News Online". Gmanetwork.com. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  4. "Aicelle Santos on Titles – Soul Flair Songstress, Ballad Princess, Rock & Soul Diva, Traffic Diva". April 17, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2019 – via YouTube.
  5. "A Closer Look at Pinoy Pop Superstar's Final Seven". The Philippine Star. May 6, 2006. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  6. "A 'Class A' birthday for Aicelle Santos | GMANetwork.com – Artist Center – Photo Galleries". GMANetwork.com. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 4, 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "Rak of Aegis: Pinoy musical wows viewers with world-class production" at "ASTIG.PH"
  10. "Jonalyn Viray and Aicelle Santos, big winners in 2014 Aliw Awards | GMANetwork.com – Artist Center – Articles". GMANetwork.com. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  11. Losorata, Yugel (October 6, 2017). "REVIEW: Maynila Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag, The Musical". PEP.ph. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  12. Santos, Jamil (December 20, 2017). "Aicelle Santos, wagi bilang best actress para sa 'Maynila Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag'". GMA News Online. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  13. "Aicelle Santos honored to represent PH in 'Miss Saigon' UK tour". ABS-CBN News. March 5, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  14. "Aicelle Santos and Mark Zambrano tie the knot in garden ceremony | GMA News Online". Gmanetwork.com. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  15. Iglesias, Iza (June 23, 2020). "It's Baby No. 1 for Aicelle Santos and Mark Zambrano". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
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