Gerphil Geraldine Flores
is a German-Filipino
classical crossover
Crossover is a term applied to musical works or performers who appeal to different types of audience. This can be seen, for example, (especially in the United States) when a song appears on two or more of the record charts which track differ ...
singer. In 2015, she joined the
inaugural season of ''
Asia's Got Talent'', where she finished as second runner-up. A
soprano, she was dubbed "Asia's Golden Girl."
Personal life
![Gerphil Flores (Gerphil At 26)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/Gerphil_Flores_%28Gerphil_At_26%29.jpg)
Flores was born in
Hamburg
(male), (female) en, Hamburger(s),
Hamburgian(s)
, timezone1 = Central (CET)
, utc_offset1 = +1
, timezone1_DST = Central (CEST)
, utc_offset1_DST = +2
, postal ...
, Germany
to a German father and a Filipino mother of Chinese, Japanese and Spanish descent.
Career
Formative years, training and education
As an infant, Flores' parents regularly brought her to German opera houses.
By the age of three, she began singing compositions by
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (27 January 17565 December 1791), baptised as Joannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical period. Despite his short life, his rapid pace of composition r ...
, such as the
aria
In music, an aria ( Italian: ; plural: ''arie'' , or ''arias'' in common usage, diminutive form arietta , plural ariette, or in English simply air) is a self-contained piece for one voice, with or without instrumental or orchestral accompa ...
"
Queen of The Night" from ''
The Magic Flute
''The Magic Flute'' (German: , ), K. 620, is an opera in two acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to a German libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder. The work is in the form of a '' Singspiel'', a popular form during the time it was written that in ...
,'' and
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised 17 December 177026 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. Beethoven remains one of the most admired composers in the history of Western music; his works rank amongst the most performed of the classic ...
.
After they relocated to the Philippines in 1994, Flores' love for music was further encouraged and nurtured by her family of music lovers, notably her maternal grandfather, a skilled ''
Kundiman
Kundiman is a genre of traditional Filipino love songs. The lyrics of the kundiman are written in Tagalog. The melody is characterized by a smooth, flowing and gentle rhythm with dramatic intervals. Kundiman was the traditional means of sere ...
'' guitarist, and her mother who listened to various genres including classical,
Broadway
Broadway may refer to:
Theatre
* Broadway Theatre (disambiguation)
* Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
** Broadway (Manhattan), the street
**Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...
, and
jazz
Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a m ...
.
By 11, Flores has decided to pursue a career in music. She would sing everyday and her mother would listen and observe if her daughter had the right pitch, or sounded flat or sharp.
To further hone her singing, Flores had voice lessons under
New York City
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...
-based soprano
Evelyn Mandac during the latter's trips to
Manila
Manila ( , ; fil, Maynila, ), officially the City of Manila ( fil, Lungsod ng Maynila, ), is the capital of the Philippines, and its second-most populous city. It is highly urbanized and, as of 2019, was the world's most densely populate ...
.
Upon Mandac's advice, Flores started to formally study voice under
Associate Professor Katherine "Kitchie" Molina, a former chair at the voice, music theatre, and dance department, where Flores graduated with a diploma in creative performing musical arts, major in voice.
On 26 June 2016, Flores graduated ''
cum laude'' with a
bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree (from Middle Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six ...
in
music
Music is generally defined as the art of arranging sound to create some combination of form, harmony, melody, rhythm or otherwise expressive content. Exact definitions of music vary considerably around the world, though it is an aspe ...
(major in voice) and a diploma in creative performing musical arts from the
College of Music,
University of the Philippines Diliman
, image = University of The Philippines seal.svg
, image_size = 175px
, caption = Official Logo of UP Diliman
, motto = Honor and Excellence
, established = February 12, 194 ...
in
Quezon City
Quezon City (, ; fil, Lungsod Quezon ), also known as the City of Quezon and Q.C. (read in Filipino as Kyusi), is the most populous city in the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 2,960,048 people. It was fou ...
.
She made it to the
dean's list
A dean's list is an academic award, or distinction, used to recognize the highest level scholarship demonstrated by students in a college or university. This system is most often used in North America, though institutions in Europe, Asia, and Aust ...
(college scholar) in the first semester of academic school year 2015–16, with a
general weighted average of 1.468.
Theatre and opera years
Since age 11, Flores joined several musical and opera productions. She was the lead child performer in the Philippine Opera Company's children's adaptation of Mozart's ''The Magic Flute''.
Her credits also include Repertory Philippines’ ''
The Sound of Music
''The Sound of Music'' is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It is based on the 1949 memoir of Maria von Trapp, ''The Story of the Trapp Family Singers''. S ...
'', Trumpets’ ''
High School Musical
''High School Musical'' is a 2006 American musical television film directed by Kenny Ortega and written by Peter Barsocchini. The 63rd Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM) and first installment of the ''High School Musical'' film series, ...
'' and ''First Name'', Gantimpala Theater Foundation'
María Clara
María Clara, whose full name is María Clara de los Santos y Alba, is the ''mestiza'' heroine in '' Noli Me Tángere'', a novel by José Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. Her name and character have since become a byword in Filipi ...
in ''
Noli Me Tángere'', Kids Acts Philippines’
Alice in
Alice in Wonderland,
The Little Mermaid
"The Little Mermaid" ( da, Den lille havfrue) is a literary fairy tale written by the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. The story follows the journey of a young mermaid who is willing to give up her life in the sea as a mermaid to gain a ...
, Juliet in
Romeo and Juliet,
Mary
Mary may refer to:
People
* Mary (name), a feminine given name (includes a list of people with the name)
Religious contexts
* New Testament people named Mary, overview article linking to many of those below
* Mary, mother of Jesus, also calle ...
in Fides Cuyugan-Asencio's ''Song of Joseph'' and
Maria Makiling
Maria Makiling, more properly Mariang Makiling, is a '' diwata'' (anito) or ''lambana'' (fairy) in Philippine mythology, associated with Mount Makiling in Laguna, Philippines. She is the most widely known ''diwata'' in Philippine mythology and ...
in ''Legend of M'', and
Gregoria de Jesús
Gregoria de Jesús y Álvarez (9 May 1875 – 15 March 1943), also known by her nickname Oriang, was the founder and vice-president of the women's chapter of the Katipunan of the Philippines. She was also the custodian of the documents and s ...
in Jerry Dadap's ''Andres Bonifacio''.
As an opera performer, her credits include playing Anne Page in the opera production of UP College of Music's ''
Merry Wives of Windsor
''The Merry Wives of Windsor'' or ''Sir John Falstaff and the Merry Wives of Windsor'' is a comedy by William Shakespeare first published in 1602, though believed to have been written in or before 1597. The Windsor of the play's title is a ref ...
'' and as
Cio-Cio San and Kate Pinkerton alternates in Music Artes’ production of
Giacomo Puccini
Giacomo Puccini ( Lucca, 22 December 1858Bruxelles, 29 November 1924) was an Italian composer known primarily for his operas. Regarded as the greatest and most successful proponent of Italian opera after Verdi, he was descended from a long ...
’s ''
Madame Butterfly
''Madama Butterfly'' (; ''Madame Butterfly'') is an opera in three acts (originally two) by Giacomo Puccini, with an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa.
It is based on the short story " Madame Butterfly" (1898) by John Lut ...
'' held at the
Cultural Center of the Philippines
The Cultural Center of the Philippines ( fil, Sentrong Pangkultura ng Pilipinas, or CCP) is a government-owned and controlled corporation established to preserve, develop and promote arts and culture in the Philippines.Presidential Decree No. ...
in Pasay.
She also assayed the role of Rusalka in
Antonin Dvorak Antonin may refer to:
People
* Antonin (name)
Places
;Poland
* Antonin, Jarocin County, Greater Poland Voivodeship
* Antonin, Kalisz County, Greater Poland Voivodeship
* Antonin, Oborniki County, Greater Poland Voivodeship
* Antonin, Ostrów ...
's
opera of the same name at the same venue on September 2014; this performance earned her an
Aliw Award
The Aliw Awards by the Aliw Awards Foundation, Inc. was established by the renowned Philippine journalistbr>Alice H. Reyes to recognize achievements in the live entertainment industry in the Philippines. It was founded in 1975 by the National Press ...
nomination as Best Actress in a Musical at the 28th Aliw Awards.
''Asia's Got Talent''
On 28 September 2014, the 24-year-old Flores pre-auditioned for the
inaugural season of ''
Asia's Got Talent'', the regional version of the ''Got Talent'' franchise, as Gerphil Flores and advanced to the televised audition. Her televised audition aired on
AXN Asia
AXN is an Asian pay television channel owned by KC Global Media Asia based in Singapore. It primarily airs action, police procedural, and reality shows. The network was formerly wholly owned by Sony Pictures Television, but the Asia Pacific, Midd ...
on 9 April 2015, where she sang "
Speak Softly, Love" from the film ''
The Godfather
''The Godfather'' is a 1972 American crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, who co-wrote the screenplay with Mario Puzo, based on Puzo's best-selling 1969 novel of the same title. The film stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caa ...
''. Flores' performance was praised and earned her a standing ovation from both the audience and the four judges, particularly Canadian musician and record producer
David Foster
David Walter Foster (born November 1, 1949) is a Canadian musician, composer, arranger, record producer and music executive who chaired Verve Records from 2012 to 2016. He has won 16 Grammy Awards from 47 nominations. His music career spans mor ...
who praised her pitch, saying: "You certainly did not disappoint anybody in this room. It was really a solid performance. And your pitch is great, and I hate people who sing out of tune. You sang really in tune." With three of the judges voting yes, Foster pressed the golden buzzer, automatically sending her to the semifinals.
In the semi-final round held on 23 April 2015, Flores performed an operatic ballad version of the song "Love Story (Where Do I Begin?)" from the film ''
Love Story'', which elicited another standing ovation. Foster continued to praise her voice, saying that he could make her sound better if she would work with him, while English singer-songwriter and former
Spice Girls member
Melanie C said that she "deserved to be on the world stage" and Indonesian singer
Anggun
Anggun Cipta Sasmi (; born 29 April 1974), better known as Anggun C. Sasmi or more often mononymously as Anggun, is an Indonesian-born French singer-songwriter and television personality. Born in Jakarta, she began performing at the age of sev ...
said that "she looked like a real diva" that night. On 30 April 2015, the show revealed that Flores was one of two acts from the previous week (the other being Mongolian musical ensemble
Khusugtun
''Asia's Got Talent'' is a televised Asian talent show competition, and part of the global ''Got Talent'' franchise created by Simon Cowell. Produced and aired by AXN Asia, it was created in the wake of the successes of both ''America's Got Tale ...
) that had advanced to the finals through the public vote.
In the final round on 7 May 2015, Flores performed her version of "
The Impossible Dream" (
Mitch Leigh
Mitch Leigh (born Irwin Michnick; January 30, 1928March 16, 2014) was an American musical theatre composer and theatrical producer best known for the musical ''Man of La Mancha''.
Biography Early years
Leigh was born in Brooklyn, New York as Irw ...
) from the musical ''
Man of La Mancha''. After another standing ovation, Foster promised Flores that "the world is going to know about you." At the results episode, aired on AXN Asia on 14 May 2015, after a tally of audience votes, Flores garnered the third highest votes among 12 finalists, after eventual grand champion, Filipino dance group
El Gamma Penumbra, and runner-up, Khusugtun. She finished second runner-up in a field of 4,000 hopefuls.
Concerts and tours
On 11 December 2015, Flores had her first major solo concert, ''A Golden Treasure'', at
The Theatre at Solaire along the
Bay City area of Parañaque. The concert featured songs from different genres that displayed her diversity as a classical-crossover performer; it also featured a live accompaniment by the
Manila Symphony Orchestra
The Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is one of the oldest orchestras in Asia. Founded by Alexander Lippay in 1926, the orchestra has played a major role in Philippine history, including acting as a symbol of resistance during the Second World War. ...
, duets with
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is an American multinational fast food chain, founded in 1940 as a restaurant operated by Richard and Maurice McDonald, in San Bernardino, California, United States. They rechristened their business as a hambur ...
Philippines and Klassikal Music Foundation's George Yang, balladeer
Nonoy Zuñiga and her dance number with Junior New System.
This concert won the Aliw Awards 2016' Best Major Concert (Female).
The success of her first concert led to her pre-
Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14. It originated as a Christian feast day honoring one or two early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine and, thr ...
solo concert, ''Tales of Love'', at the same venue on 11 February12, 2016. The concert featured love songs from different genres and languages with the
Manila Philharmonic Orchestra The Manila Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) is an all-Filipino orchestra "owned and managed by the artists." This makes the MPO unique from the other orchestras in the country, as all decisions are collectively made by orchestra members, including conc ...
, Junior New System and singers Kris Gonzales, Al Gatmaitan, Jack Salud and singer-songwriter
Jose Mari Chan.
![Gerphil at 26](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Gerphil_at_26.jpg)
Flores was tapped by ''Asia's Got Talent'' judge
David Foster
David Walter Foster (born November 1, 1949) is a Canadian musician, composer, arranger, record producer and music executive who chaired Verve Records from 2012 to 2016. He has won 16 Grammy Awards from 47 nominations. His music career spans mor ...
to be part of his ''David Foster and Friends Asian Tour'' for 201516; she made her debut at the Hitman Tour at the
Smart Araneta Coliseum
The Araneta Coliseum, also currently known by naming rights sponsorship as Smart Araneta Coliseum, is an indoor multi-purpose sports arena that is part of the Araneta City in the Cubao area of Quezon City, Philippines. Nicknamed as "the Big Do ...
in Quezon City on 17 August 2015, performing alongside
Ruben Studdard
Ruben Studdard (born September 12, 1978) is an American singer and actor. He rose to fame as winner of the second season of ''American Idol'' and received a Grammy Award nomination in 2003 for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his recording of ...
,
Natalie Cole
Natalie Maria Cole (February 6, 1950 – December 31, 2015) was an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She was the daughter of American singer and jazz pianist Nat King Cole. She rose to success in the mid-1970s as an R&B singer with the h ...
,
Charice Pempengco
Jake Zyrus (formerly known under the mononym Charice; born 10 May 1992) is a Filipino singer and television personality.
In 2007, after some appearances on Philippine television, Zyrus sang on ''The Ellen DeGeneres Show'', and the followin ...
,
Boyz II Men and
Mark Mabasa.
Flores celebrated her 26th birthday with a soldout solo concert, Gerphil at 26, at The Music Museum on 29 September 2016. The concert featured a diverse set list; the repertoire covered hits from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, current songs of 2016, and even went as far back as the 1800s. Some she sang with her famous classical style; others she rendered with pop and jazz inflections, accompanied by the Manila Symphony Orchestra. The concert also featured performances from Daryl Ong and Clem Castro.
Magazine covers
After her stint at ''Asia's Got Talent'', Flores was featured in the cover of the June 2015 issue of ''
The Philippine Star
''The Philippine Star'' (self-styled ''The Philippine STAR'') is an English-language newspaper in the Philippines and the flagship brand of the Philstar Media Group. First published on July 28, 1986, by veteran journalists Betty Go-Belmonte, ...
''’s ''GIST magazine'' and the July 2015 issue of ''
Manila Bulletin
The ''Manila Bulletin'' (), (also known as the ''Bulletin'' and previously known as the ''Manila Daily Bulletin'' from 1906 to September 23, 1972, and the ''Bulletin Today'' from November 22, 1972, to March 10, 1986) is the Philippines' largest ...
''’s ''Publishing's Sense & Style'' magazine.
Awards and nominations
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Flores, Gerphil
1990 births
Living people
Bicolano people
Filipino people of Chinese descent
Filipino people of Japanese descent
Filipino people of Spanish descent
Filipino sopranos
Got Talent contestants
Musicians from Hamburg
People from Parañaque
People from Sorsogon
Pilipinas Got Talent contestants
University of British Columbia alumni
University of the Philippines Diliman alumni
21st-century Filipino women singers