Gian Magdangal

Giancarlo "Gian" Alzate Magdangal
Philippine Idol features section (; born November 18, 1981
Philippine Idol official website), is a Filipino singer, performer, theater and television actor. He is a former boy band member of 17:28. he rose to prominence as one of the runners-up of ''Philippine Idol'' in 2006.

He is a cousin of actress and fellow singer Jolina Magdangal.

Biography

Early life and career

Magdangal was born in Parañaque, and claims that he started to sing when he was 2 years old, as he was singing lullabies to his grandmother. He grew up listening to Broadway musicals, Stevie Wonder, Boyz II Men, and Brian McKnight. Seeing his potential as a singer, he was sent to undergo voice lessons at St. Scholastica's College's Conservatory of Music. He also received vocal training from Trumpets Playshop, Sweet Plantado, Mon Faustino, Audie Gemora, Freddie Santos, and Carlo Orosa.Gian and Jan Face-off
ABC-5 official website, features section

Magdangal's early musical exposure was during high school in La Salle Green Hills when he became part of the Kundirana. It was there where he realized how singing can touch and change lives.Web Exclusive: Interview with Gian Magdangal before the Grand Finals Night
Philippine Idol features section During his stint in Kundirana, he perfected his craft in music while still balancing a busy lifestyle as a stage actor in his school's drama club. He was also a member of Tiples de Sto. Domingo, an all-boys choir based in Quezon City.The sound of Tiples
Philippine Daily Inquirer, September 2, 2007 (accessed November 5, 2007)

While in college at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, taking up Business Administration with a major in Computer Application, Magdangal became part of a boy band quartet known as 17:28, which was formed by Gemora, along with his college friends. The group had their share of success compiling two albums under Star Records and Viva Records (wherein there were only three member left). One of their songs, "Sukob Na", became a rainy season jingle for ABS-CBN. After three years, the group decided to disband with Magdangal being the only active musician. He formed a band "Gian with Industriya".

After graduating from college in 2003, Magdangal joined Trumpets Music Academy, a company which produced numerous theater plays in the metro in which he gained more exposure in acting. His theater credentials include the musicals Footloose, The Little Mermaid, and Once On This Island.

During his training in Trumpets Music Academy, he accidentally entered a workshop for Advanced Musical Theater, when he was enrolled for the basic workshop. Plantado, the workshop's facilitator at that time, accepted Magdangal in her class where he was introduced with different players in the musical industry who eventually became his trainers. He said that theater training taught him confidence, discipline, humility, and teamwork. He believed that one should not pursue a career in entertainment simply for the money.

However, Magdangal discontinued his singing career to give priority to his family. He disbanded Gian with Industriya and entered the corporate world. Before auditioning for Philippine Idol, he was working as a Marketing Events Officer for Smart Communications.Napagod sa pag-ibig
Pilipino Star Ngayon, February 6, 2007 (accessed November 5, 2007)

''Philippine Idol''

Magdangal said that Philippine Idol was like "a calling" to return to music. However, he felt that the competition was not meant for him because of conflicts between his work and the audition dates. He only found an opening at the Cebu auditions, but he was short of money. He eventually flew to Cebu City with the help of sponsors in time for the final leg of the auditions, where he sang "The Last Time" by Eric Benét. He wore a gray coat, which he considered as his good luck charm, all throughout the audition and theater eliminations.

When Magdangal got into the Top 24, he took a leave of absence "without pay" from his work.Gian Magdangal’s game plan in ‘Idol’
Manila Bulletin, November 24, 2006 (accessed November 5, 2007) This was to avoid suspicion that Smart Communications, which was a major advertisement sponsor of Philippine Idol, was backing him up.

He failed to make to the Top 4 during the Men's Semi-Final Round, and had to go through the Wildcard phase to enter the Top 12 Finalists.

The judges often compared Magdangal (who studied in a De La Salle school) with fellow finalist Jan Nieto (who studied in Ateneo de Manila University), calling it "the new Ateneo-La Salle rivalry". They are also compared to the rivalry between Filipino singers Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano during the 1980s. Entertainment writers even predicted that Magdangal and Nieto would vie for the title.

He was placed at the Bottom 4 or Bottom 3 twice. Although Magdangal was praised by the judges for his vocal talent, he is often criticized for his lack of emotional depth when performing his contest pieces.

He admitted that there were several physical changes in him during the competition, such as losing weight from 180 pounds to 162 pound at 6' 1", as well as getting sick days before the finale that he had to undergo medication.Gian Magdangal, after Philippine Idol
Philippine Idol features section

He placed runner-up to eventual winner Mau Marcelo