Catherine Gonzaga (1568-1629)

Catherine Cruz Gonzaga-Morada (; born Catherine Cruz Gonzaga; January 16, 1988), professionally known as Alex Gonzaga, is a Filipino media personality, comedienne, businesswoman, host, singer and actress. Her self-titled YouTube channel is one of the most subscribed channel in the Philippines.

Early life

Alex Gonzaga was born Catherine Cruz Gonzaga on January 16, 1988, in Taytay, a first-class densely populated municipality of Rizal, to Crisanta "Pinty" (née Cruz) Gonzaga and then-incumbent Vice-Mayor Carlito "Bonoy" Gonzaga. She set her stage name as Alex Gonzaga back in 2008.

Gonzaga has an elder sister, actress Toni Gonzaga. She graduated Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Education from the University of Asia and the Pacific.

Career

2006–2012: Early works

Gonzaga started her career on ABS-CBN for the sitcom, '' Let's Go'', where she played the role of Alex, which also became her personal nickname. Her role lasted until the series fourth season called ''Gokada Go!''. After her departure from the sitcom, she was cast in different dramas on the same network, such as '' Pangarap Na Bituin'', ''Your Song'' and '' My Girl''.

In 2008, Gonzaga transferred to TV5 and became one of the hosts for the talk show, ''Juicy!''. She played a lead role in the 2011 soap opera ''Babaeng Hampaslupa''. Further roles on the network include ''BFGF'', '' P.S. I Love You'' and ''Enchanted Garden''.

2013–2019: Breakthrough

In 2013 Gonzaga returned to ABS-CBN, with her first project being a guest host for the fifth season of the Philippine version of reality television series '' Big Brother''. During the final minutes of the launch night, Gonzaga was revealed to be the third and final celebrity housemate to enter the ''Big Brother'' house, following collegiate athlete Michele Gumabao and actress Jane Oineza, and was given the title as "Sassy Sister ng Rizal". However, during a diary room session with Big Brother, she was revealed to be actually a celebrity houseguest and was tasked to avoid revealing the information to the other official housemates. After staying in the ''Big Brother'' house for two months, she was welcomed back to the "outside world" on June 14, 2014. She was replaced by internet sensation Cheridel Alejandrino, also known as the "Elevator Girl". Gonzaga went on to be the social media correspondent for the Philippine version of reality television singing competition ''The Voice''.

She later joined the comedy gag show '' Banana Split'' as one of the cast members, and also starred in her first two episodes in the long-running drama anthology ''Maalaala Mo Kaya''. She then released her debut novel, ''Dear Alex, Break na Kami. Paano? Love Catherine'' (2014), under ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc. The novel received positive reviews from fans and critics alike, most complimenting the novel's "break up" concept and enjoyed its featured humor. A film adaption for the novel is currently in the works with Gonzaga sharing interest in casting Luis Manzano, John Lloyd Cruz and Piolo Pascual for the film adaption.

She was cast on her first film under Star Cinema, ''The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin'' (2014), one of the official entries to the 40th Metro Manila Film Festival. The film was commercially successful and achieved the milestones for having the highest gross on opening day of any local film and the title of being the highest-grossing local film of all time in the Philippines. However, the film received mixed to negative reviews from critics. Zig Marasigan from the ''Rappler'' website described the film in his movie review as "a brainless, hyper-stylized and utterly ridiculous family comedy."

She then released her debut studio album ''I Am Alex G.'' (2015) with the studio album's lead hit single, "Panaginip Lang", under Star Music. The studio album had a grand launch at Eastwood Central Plaza on March 22, 2015, and a concert, AG from the East: The Unexpected Concert, which was later on held at the Araneta Coliseum to support her studio album on April 25, 2015. She also starred in her major project as the lead star of 2015 fantasy drama series ''Inday Bote'', a TV adaption of the classic Filipino film of the same title. She also took hosting duties in the original dance competition show ''Dance Kids'', alongside Robi Domingo.

2020–present: Return to TV5 during the COVID-19 pandemic

After the shutdown of ABS-CBN and the failure of franchise renewal headed by Solicitor General Jose Calida, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and the Philippine House Committee of 18th Congress, Gonzaga returned to TV5 via a blocktime agreement with Brightlight Productions, and she was tapped to be one of the main hosts for the noontime variety show, ''Lunch Out Loud'', which was premiered on October 19, 2020.

In a vlog uploaded to her YouTube channel on October 24, 2020, Gonzaga and her family were tested positive for COVID-19, and she shared how they recovered from the virus.

Personal life

In November 2016, Gonzaga began dating Lipa City councilor Michael "Mikee" Morada. On January 16, 2020, Gonzaga announced on Instagram that she and Morada were engaged. On January 17, 2021, Gonzaga announced on her YouTube channel that she and Morada have been married in a private wedding at the Gonzaga residence in Taytay since November 2020.

Filmography

Film

Television

Music videos

Discography

Extended plays

Singles

Chart performance

Concerts

*AG from the East: The Unexpected Concert (2015)

Written works

*''Dear Alex, Break na Kami. Paano? Love Catherine'' (2014)
*''Dear Alex, We're Dating. Tama, Mali?! Love Catherine'' (2016)
*'' Sissums'' (2018)

Awards and nominations

References

External links

Alex Gonzaga Official
on YouTube

Alex Gonzaga-Morada
on Twitter
*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gonzaga, Alex
1988 births
Living people
Star Magic
Star Music artists
Filipino child actresses
Filipino film actresses
Filipino television actresses
Actresses from Rizal
University of Asia and the Pacific alumni
ABS-CBN personalities
TV5 (Philippine TV network) personalities
Filipino television variety show hosts
21st-century Filipino singers
21st-century Filipino women singers
Filipino YouTubers
Female YouTubers