Jose Ariel Jimenez Rivera, professionally known as Ariel Rivera (Tagalog: [ʔaɾˈjɛl ɾiˈbɛɾa]; born September 1, 1966), is a Filipino singer, songwriter and actor.
Rivera was born in Manila, Philippines but has since migrated with his family to Canada. He has since become a successful singer-songwriter, and actor. He is dubbed as "Kilabot ng Kolehiyala", a title formerly bestowed upon Hajji Alejandro, a popular Filipino singer in the 1970s.
Career
Music career
Rivera was a graduate of architecture in Canada and he was also an undergraduate of Psychology before his singing talent was accidentally discovered by Vehnee Saturno while he was on holiday in the Philippines singing at a cousin's wedding.[1] In 1989, Musiko Records & BMG Records (Pilipinas) Inc. (now known as Sony Music Philippines) signed Rivera to their label. His self-titled debut album was released after two years. The first single, "Sana Kahit Minsan" was a No. 1 pop-r&b crossover hit. The album went 3× platinum. In 1992, he quickly released his second album, Simple Lang. This album also went 3× platinum.[2]
In 1994, Rivera began recording new material for his next album, Photograph. Photograph was released in 1995. His album reached Gold status in the Philippines. Due to his acting commitments, he wasn't able to release albums as frequently as he did before, but in 2008, he released Once Again, which continued nine original songs and covers of "Kung Ako na Lang Sana" and Michael Bolton's "Go the Distance".[1][3]
Acting career
In 1992, Rivera tried acting. His first starring role in the film Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal earned him a Best Supporting Actor award in the 1992 Metro Manila Film Festival. He landed a lead role opposite Sharon Cuneta in 1993's "Ikaw". He also co-starred in Isang Sulok Ng Mga Pangarap (1994); Anghel Na Walang Langit (1995); Minsan May Pangarap: The Guce Family Story (1995); May Nagmamahal Sa'yo (1996), Ikaw Pala Ang Mahal Ko (1997) and Bata, bata ... Pa'no Ka Ginawa? (1998). In 1999, he played the title character of Rama in the staging of Rama at Sita – The Musical by SK Entertainment at the University Theatre. For most of the 2000s, he acted in GMA teleseryes.[1]
Personal life
Rivera has two older siblings (Leo and Gemma), and two younger siblings (Orven and Marvin).
He married actress Gelli de Belen, on December 22, 1997, in Santuario de San José, and both did a film released five months before their marriage entitled "Ikaw Pala Ang Mahal Ko". The couple has two sons: Joaquín Andrés (born January 29, 1999) and Julio Alessandro (born November 6, 2000).[4]
Discography
- Ariel Rivera (1991)
- Simple Lang (1993)
- Paskong Walang Katulad (1993) Paskong Walang Katulad[5] (2009)
- Photograph (1995)
- Getting to Know (1997)
- Aawitin Ko Na Lang (1999)
- In My Life (2003)
- Platinum Hits (2003)
- Once Again[3] (2008)
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal[6] | David |
| 1995 | Minsan May Pangarap: The Guce Family Story | Aldo Guce[7] |
| Jessica Alfaro Story[8] | ||
| 1996 | May Nagmamahal Sa'yo[9] | Nestor |
| 1997 | Ikaw Pala ang Mahal Ko[10] | Tonyboy Balmaceda |
| 1998 | Bata, Bata… Pa'no Ka Ginawa?[11] | Raffy de Lara |
| 2009 | Padre de Pamilya | Joselito Mirasol[12] |
| 2014 | Shake, Rattle & Roll XV[13] | Alberto |
| 2015 | Everyday I Love You | Dr. Rex "Anthony" Madrigal |
| 2017 | Love You to the Stars and Back | Mika's father[14] |
| 2019 | Ang Sikerto ng Piso[15][10] | Ronnie |
| Damaso[16] | ||
| 2021 | Love Is Color Blind | Fidel[17] |
Television
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1989–1995 | Sa Linggo nAPO Sila | Main host / performer |
| 1990–1992 | Manilyn! Live | |
| 1995–2003, 2011–present | ASAP | |
| 1998–1999 | Mula sa Puso | Rafael Buencamino |
| 1999–2001 | Saan Ka Man Naroroon | Angelo Cabrera (antagonist) |
| 2003 | Narito ang Puso Ko | Amoroso San Victores |
| 2004 | Magpakailanman: The Willy Garte Story | Willy Garte |
| 2004–2005 | Forever in My Heart | Michael Bernabe |
| 2005 | Ang Mahiwagang Baul | |
| 2005–2006 | Sugo | Samuel |
| 2006 | Now and Forever: Duyan | Mateo |
| 2006–2007 | Atlantika | Barracud (antagonist) |
| 2007 | Fantastic Man | Danny / Tadtad (antagonist) |
| 2007–2008 | Carlo J. Caparas' Kamandag | Abdon Serrano (antagonist) |
| 2008—2009 | Luna Mystika | Simon / Ybarra |
| 2009 | Rosalinda | Alfredo Del Castillo |
| 2010 | Sine Novela: Ina, Kasusuklaman Ba Kita? | Daniel Bustamante |
| 2010–2011 | Inday Wanda | Daddy Lee |
| 2011 | Mula sa Puso[18] | Don Fernando Pereira |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya: Tap Dancing Shoes | Luciano Mata | |
| Ikaw ay Pag-Ibig | Arnel | |
| 2012 | Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin | Maurice Del Castillo |
| E-Boy | Gabriel Villareal | |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya: Flash Cards | Fidel | |
| 2012–2013 | Ina, Kapatid, Anak | Julio Marasigan |
| 2013 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Saranggola | Eddy |
| 2013–2014 | Maria Mercedes | Santiago Del Olmo |
| 2014 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Marriage Contract | Leo Bautista |
| 2014–2015 | Bagito | Gilbert Medina |
| 2015 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Sapatos | Roel |
| 2015–2016 | Doble Kara | Ishmael Suarez |
| 2016 | Born for You | Mike Sebastian |
| 2016–2017 | Hahamakin ang Lahat | Nelson Solano / Alfred Benitez |
| 2017 | Mulawin vs. Ravena | Panabon |
| Sunday PinaSaya | Himself/guest performer | |
| 2019 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Jersey | Abner |
| Ipaglaban Mo: Caregiver | Mario Garcia | |
| 2019–2020 | Sandugo | PC/MSgt. Eugene Reyes |
| 2020 | A Soldier's Heart | Gen. Victor Mondejar |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya: Drawing | Rey | |
| Lunch Out Loud | Himself / Judge of Kantrabaho[19] | |
| 2021 | Unloving U | Henry Acosta |
| 2022 | The Fake Life | Onats Villamor†[20] |
| 2023 | Can't Buy Me Love | Raul |
| 2024–2025 | Shining Inheritance | Tony Villarazon |
| 2025–2026 | FPJ's Batang Quiapo | PLtCol. Orlando Gonzales (antagonist) |
Awards
- Best New Male Artist - Awit Awards, 1991
- Best Performance by a New Male Recording Artist, 1992
- Best Supporting Actor – Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal, Metro Manila Film Festival, 1992[21]
- Music Video of the Year - "Tunay na Ligaya", 1997
- Best Vocal Performance of the Year by a Duet/Group - "I Don't Love You Anymore" with Lea Salonga, 1999
- Outstanding Lead Actor - Forever in My Heart, 2nd Golden Screen Awards, 2005
- Best Actor - Parola, Bahaghari Awards
References
- 1.[1.2][1.3]Salterio, Leah C. (January 4, 2009). "Ariel in his element". Philstar.com. Archived from the original on June 8, 2024. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
- 2."Film Academy of the Philippines » ARIEL RIVERA". August 9, 2016. Archived from the original on August 9, 2016. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
- 3.[3.2]"A busy Christmas for Backroom artists". Philippine Star. December 19, 2008. Retrieved May 10, 2009.
- 4.Miralles, Nitz (May 3, 2007). "Ariel Rivera and family migrating to Canada in 2015" (in Tagalog). Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on October 9, 2007. Retrieved May 10, 2009.
- 5."Ariel Rivera releases 16-track album Paskong Walang Katulad". Philippine Entertainment Portal. December 10, 2009. Retrieved February 16, 2010.
- 6."Lea nominated best actress". Manila Standard. December 19, 1992. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- 7."Learning to like Ariel Rivera". Manila Standard. April 27, 1995. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- 8.Salterio, Leah (August 21, 2002). "Cory Quirino kidnapping soon to be a movie". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- 9."Boom For Backroom". Manila Standard. December 31, 1996. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- 10.[10.2]"Ariel Rivera, hindi kumportableng pinapanood ang sarili sa screen". PEP.ph. December 30, 2018. Archived from the original on November 5, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- 11.Gatdula, Leah Salterio (February 21, 2000). "Robin Padilla and Jolina Magdangal in raucous teamup". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- 12."Ariel Rivera stars in indie film OK'd by Catholic bishops". ABS-CBN News. April 14, 2009. Archived from the original on October 18, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
- 13."SNEAK PEEK: Shake, Rattle & Roll XV: Ahas". PEP.ph. December 16, 2014. Archived from the original on October 18, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
- 14.Hawson, Fred (September 1, 2017). "Review: Julia, Joshua shine in 'Love You to the Stars and Back'". ABS CBN News. Archived from the original on October 18, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
- 15."Ariel Rivera and Gelli de Belen Reunite In "Ang Sikreto Ng Piso"". Orange Magazine. January 13, 2019. Archived from the original on October 18, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
- 16."Marlo Mortel umamin sa nakaraan nila ni Morissette; dumepensa sa 'walkout scandal'". INQUIRER.net (in Tagalog). November 17, 2019. Archived from the original on November 5, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- 17.Hawson, Fred (March 3, 2022). "Netflix review: Belle Mariano is refreshing to watch in 'Love is Color Blind'". ABS CBN News. Archived from the original on October 18, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
- 18.PEP.ph. "JM De Guzman, Lauren Young, and Enrique Gil will lead new cast of Mula sa Puso". PEP.ph. Archived from the original on May 28, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
- 19.Gabinete, Jojo (November 9, 2021). "Ariel Rivera, umalis na ng TV5 noontime show Lunch Out Loud". PEP.ph (in Tagalog). Archived from the original on February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- 20."Ariel Rivera, Sid Lucero, and Beauty Gonzalez uncover the truth in Afternoon Prime series 'The Fake Life'". GMA News Online. June 3, 2022. Archived from the original on October 18, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
- 21."Lea's Leading Men Cop Mmff Awards". Manila Standard. December 28, 1992. Retrieved October 18, 2023.