Richelle Ann Mallari Loyola-Avanzado (born January 31, 1979), better known by her stage name Jessa Zaragoza, is a
Filipina
Filipinos ( tl, Mga Pilipino) are the people who are citizens of or native to the Philippines. The majority of Filipinos today come from various Austronesian ethnolinguistic groups, all typically speaking either Filipino, English and/or other ...
commercial model, singer and actress. She is known as the "Phenomenal Diva" and "Jukebox Queen of the 90s" for her first studio album ''Just Can't Help Feelin'' in 1997 with the hit carrier single "Bakit Pa?," which became a number one ballad in the Philippines and a top 40 hit during 1997–1999. The album also was certified by PARI and certified platinum. Its carrier single "Bakit Pa?" was also released by
OctoArts Films
OctoArts Films (also known as OctoArts Films International for foreign films) is a Filipino film production and distribution company founded in 1989 by Orly R. Ilacad. A veteran record producer, Ilacad only decided to establish the film compan ...
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 ...
film offering directed by multi-awarded film Director
Jose Javier Reyes
Jose "Joey" Javier Reyes (born October 21, 1954) is a Filipino professor, writer, director, miscellaneous crew and actor. He has won awards at the Gawad Urian, Metro Manila Film Festival and Filipino Star Awards for Movies for his films, whi ...
. She collaborated with award-winning film director
Mel Chionglo
Carmelo Chionglo (July 16, 1946 – September 21, 2019), better known as Mel Chionglo, was a Filipino film director and production designer. He has directed more than 40 films since 1981.
From 1966 to 1976, he worked and studied acting and di ...
in ''Malikot na Mundo'' with actors Lara Morena,
Raymond Bagatsing
Ramon "Raymond" San Diego Bagatsing III is a Filipino actor, model and aspiring politician. Having jumpstarted his acting career in the early 90s, he is most notable for the role of Jaime Laurel in the hit ABS-CBN series ''Pusong Ligaw''.
Ea ...
, and Patrick Guzman, her last film with OctoArts Films. In 2000, she also released her fourth studio album and first for Star Music ''Ibigay Mo Na''. She released ''Kahit Na Ilang Umaga'' in 2004. She sang a cover of "''Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas"'' for the hit prime time series of the same name. In 2002–2003, she played Andromeda on the hit series ''
Bituin
''Bituin'' (International title: ''Star'') is a 2002 musical Philippine soap opera that was aired by ABS-CBN from September 23, 2002 to May 23, 2003 replacing ''Pangako Sa 'Yo'' and was replaced by ''Basta't Kasama Kita''. It starred Carol Banawa ...
'' with
Nora Aunor
Nora Cabaltera Villamayor (born May 21, 1953), professionally known as Nora Aunor (), is a Filipino actress, recording artist, and film producer. Aunor has also appeared in several stage plays, television shows and concerts. She is known as P ...
and
Cherie Gil
Evangeline Rose Gil Eigenmann (; June 21, 1963 – August 5, 2022), known professionally as Cherie Gil, was a Filipino actress. With a career spanning nearly 50 years, she was dubbed the "''La Primera Contravida''" ("The Prime Villain") for he ...
.
In 2008 she sang a revival of
Didith Reyes
Maria Helen Bella Avenila Santamaria (September 17, 1949 – December 10, 2008), better known as Didith Reyes, was a Filipino people, Filipina actress and singer best known for recording a string of hit love ballads in the mid-1970s like "Araw-ara ...
' hit song "Bakit Ako Mahihiya" for the critically acclaimed series ''
Eva Fonda
''Eva Fonda'' is a Philippine drama show on ABS-CBN that aired from December 1, 2008 to January 30, 2009 replacing ''Kahit Isang Saglit'' and was replaced by '' May Bukas Pa''. ''Eva Fonda'' is a remake of a 1976 film of the same name starring Al ...
'' starring
Cristine Reyes
Ara Cristine Pascual Klenk (born February 5, 1989), known professionally as Cristine Reyes, is a Filipino actress, model, dancer and endorser. She is often called as the "Ultimate Star" by the local media for her acting prowess and popularity. ...
. She released her album ''Jessa Sings the Great Musical Icons'' under MCA Music in 2009. In 2012, she released her seventh studio album entitled ''Pag Wala Na ang Ulan'' with GMA Music. From 2012 to present, she has been appearing on the weekly comedy show ''
Pepito Manaloto
''Pepito Manaloto: Tuloy ang Kuwento'' () formerly ''Pepito Manaloto'', ''Pepito Manaloto: Ang Tunay na Kwento'', ''Pepito Manoloto: Kuwento Kuwento'' and ''Pepito Manaloto: Ang Unang Kuwento'', is a Philippine television sitcom series broadcas ...
'' as DeeDee alongside veteran comedian
Nova Villa
Novelita Villanueva Gallegos (born April 16, 1946), better known as Nova Villa, is a Filipino actress and a veteran comedian.
With a career spanning more than 50 years, Villa is recognized as the original 'Goddess of Comedy' and one of the defi ...
. This is Zaragoza's return to comedy after the 2001 sitcom '' Attagirl'' on ABS-CBN.
In 2021, she is one of the Jukebosses in the hit karaoke TV show Sing Galing with other singers and songwriters
Rey Valera
Reynaldo Valera Guardiano, better known as Rey Valera (born 4 May 1954), is a Filipino singer, songwriter, music director, film scorer and television host. He wrote and produced songs that were recorded by various singers, most notably Sharon Cu ...
,
Randy Santiago
Randy Gerard Legaspi Santiago (born November 26, 1960) is a Filipino actor, comedian, television host, singer, songwriter, producer, director and entrepreneur. He is the older brother of Raymart Santiago, Rowell Santiago and Reily Pablo L. San ...
and
K Brosas
Maria Carmela Brosas (born 15 July 1975), better known by her screen name K Brosas, is a Filipina actress, comedian, singer and television host. She was born in the Philippines to an American father and a Filipina mother and was a band member ...
on TV5.
Biography
Zaragoza was a
GMA Network
GMA Network (Global Media Arts or simply GMA) is a Philippine free-to-air television and radio network. It is the flagship property of publicly traded GMA Network, Inc. Its first broadcast on television was on October 29, 1961. GMA Network (f ...
talent using her real name Richelle Ann Loyola when she auditioned for Little Miss Philippines in ''
Eat Bulaga!
''Eat Bulaga!'' (), formerly ''Eat... Bulaga!'', is a noontime Philippine television variety show broadcast by GMA Network. Produced by TAPE Inc., it is the longest running variety show in the Philippines with over 13,000 episodes. Originally ...
'' in 1987. In the early 1990s, she was part of
German Moreno
German Molina Moreno (; October 4, 1933 – January 8, 2016), also known as Kuya Germs ( or ) and dubbed as "The Master Showman", was a Filipino television host, presenter, actor, comedian, talent manager, producer, writer, and director.
Early ...
's longest running variety show, '' That's Entertainment''. She was also part of comedy shows ''
Alabang Girls
''Alabang Girls'' is a Philippine sitcom produced by Viva Television and co-produced and aired by ABC from 1992 to 1994. This is a spin-off of the movie of the same name which was produced by Viva Films.
Cast
* Donita Rose
* Ruby Rodriguez
* ...
'' on
ABC
ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet.
ABC or abc may also refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting
* American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster
** Disney–ABC Television ...
(now TV5) from 1992 to 1994.She did guesting stints for GMA and Viva Entertainment TV programs in the mid 90s she has guest starred in Bubble Gang Beh Bote Nga And AttaGirl in 2001 for ABS-CBN 2
Zaragoza is also a singer. She signed a contract with OctoArts EMI Philippines (now
PolyEast Records
PolyEast Records (formerly Canary Records, OctoArts International, OctoArts EMI Music Inc. and EMI Philippines) is a record label in the Philippines. It is a member of the Philippine Association of the Record Industry and from 2008 until 2013, ...
). Her first album ''Just Can't Help Feelin was released in 1997. Her second album ''Phenomonal'' was released in 1999. She later transferred to rival network
ABS-CBN
ABS-CBN (an initialism of its two predecessors' names, Alto Broadcasting System and Chronicle Broadcasting Network) is a Television in the Philippines, Philippine Commercial broadcasting, commercial broadcast broadcast network, network tha ...
from 2000 to 2004, and signed a deal with its recording company
Star Records
Star Music (stylized in lowercase as starmusic; formerly known as Star Records), is a record label in the Philippines owned and operated by media conglomerate ABS-CBN Corporation. It was formerly a separate company operating as a wholly owned su ...
, releasing her next two albums ''Ibigay Mo Na'' (2000) and ''Kahit Na Ilang Umaga'' (2004). She also sang the theme songs for soap operas and TV series of ABS-CBN and GMA.
Among her most popular songs is "Bakit Pa," which was the soundtrack to a romantic comedy film she starred in, also entitled ''Bakit Pa?'' with
Troy Montero
Cody Andrew Miller III (born July 30, 1971), known professionally as Troy Montero, is a Filipino-American actor.
He was born to an American father of German and Irish ancestry, and a U.S.-born Filipina mother. In 2008, he and girlfriend Aubre ...
and
Diether Ocampo
Diether Pascual Ocampo (born July 19, 1973) is a Filipino actor, singer, and model.
Background
Ocampo was born on July 19, 1973 in Aniban, Bacoor, Cavite, where he attended school. He attended De La Salle University-Dasmarinas. He is of German ...
as her leading men. The film was released in theaters on February 3, 1999, as a Valentine's movie presentation of Octoarts and GMA Films. She was also part of a soap opera that ran from May to October 1999 on GMA Network entitled ''Di Ba't Ikaw''.
In 2000, she released new hit singles such as "Ibigay Mo Na", "Siya Ba Ang Dahilan" and "Kung Kailan Pa". ''Ibigay Mo Na'' was controversial for its album layout and sexually themed song, which was criticized for being painfully harmful but a heartfelt ballad.
In 2001, Zaragoza sang the theme song of the ABS-CBN afternoon soap, ''
Recuerdo de Amor
''Recuerdo de Amor'' (International title: ''Memories of Love'') is a Philippine daytime drama crime series which aired on ABS-CBN's ''Dramathon sa Hapon'' afternoon block on May 14, 2001, to January 10, 2003, replacing ''Marinella'' and was re ...
'' which ran from 2001 to 2003. She was also cast in another ABS-CBN soap which starred
Nora Aunor
Nora Cabaltera Villamayor (born May 21, 1953), professionally known as Nora Aunor (), is a Filipino actress, recording artist, and film producer. Aunor has also appeared in several stage plays, television shows and concerts. She is known as P ...
,
Carol Banawa
Carol Claire Aguilar Banawa-Crisostomo (born March 4, 1981), better known in the Philippines as Carol Banawa, is a US-based Filipina singer, actress, and nurse. She is a Star Magic Batch 4 alumna.
Early life and career
Raised in Batangas, she ...
and
Desiree del Valle
Desirée Lois del Valle Dunham-Labrusca (born May 28, 1982), better known by her screen name Desiree del Valle, is a Filipina actress born from an Irish American father named Clois H. Dunham and a Filipino mother Lourdes del Valle from Lopez, ...
entitled ''
Bituin
''Bituin'' (International title: ''Star'') is a 2002 musical Philippine soap opera that was aired by ABS-CBN from September 23, 2002 to May 23, 2003 replacing ''Pangako Sa 'Yo'' and was replaced by ''Basta't Kasama Kita''. It starred Carol Banawa ...
''. She also starred on the hit sitcom '' Attagirl'' alongside Vanessa Del Bianco, Andrea del Rosario and Desiree del Valle which ran for three seasons.
In 2003, she sang the theme song of ABS-CBN's ''
Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas
''Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas'' (International title: ''Timeless'' / ) is a Philippine primetime soap opera aired by ABS-CBN that premiered on May 19, 2003 and ended on July 9, 2004. It is a love story of two star-crossed lovers who suffer for their p ...
.'' The song was featured on her album ''Kahit Na Ilang Umaga'', released by Star Records.
In 2004, she participated at the Himig Handog Songwriting Contest interpreting the song "Hindi Na Bale" composed by Jimmy Antiporda.
In 2006, she collaborated with her singer-songwriter husband,
Dingdong Avanzado
Fernando Cyril "Dingdong" Veloso Avanzado (born July 7, 1968) is a Filipino singer, actor, politician and TV host.
Early life
Avanzado was born on July 7, 1968 in Quezon City.
He was born to the political Veloso Family of Samar, to Fernando ...
on the duet album, ''Laging Ikaw'', released under Universal Records. During the 2006 period she had worked with fellow friends comedian Marissa Sanchez, and actress Ara Mina on a worldwide concert tour called ''The Divas Tour.'' It was produced by Dingdong Avanzado and was a successful concert, running for six months in different parts of the world.
In 2007, controversy erupted between her and
Rufa Mae Quinto Rufa is a given name. Notable people with the name include:
* Rufa Mae Quinto (born 1978), Filipina actress, comedian, television host, and singer
*Rufa Mi
Maria Krista Aguilar (born April 8, 1988), known professionally as Rufa Mi, is a Filipina ...
when Quinto allegedly interpreted and stated that Zaragoza was the reason of hers and Dingdong's breakup. It became one of Philippine showbiz's most memorable breakups. Zaragoza defended herself against the allegations on a live interview on GMA's '' Startalk''. Quinto appeared on ''YES'' magazine as a featured artist on the front cover, and in the article she talked about her personal life and past relationships.
In 2009, after a series of shows in the U.S. together with Avanzado, Zaragoza came back on prime time television in the
remake
A remake is a film, television series, video game, song or similar form of entertainment that is based upon and retells the story of an earlier production in the same medium—e.g., a "new version of an existing film". A remake tells the same ...
of the Mexican telenovela '' Rosalinda''. She also released an album that featured all cover versions on ''Jessa Sings the Great Musical Icons''. The album paid tribute to such musical legends such as Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Tina Turner, Sting and the Police, Madonna and Stevie Wonder.
In 2010, she went back to ABS-CBN to be part of the short-lived prime time television series, ''
1DOL
''1DOL'' (stylized as ''iDOL'') was a 2010 Philippine drama starring Sarah Geronimo, Sam Milby and Coco Martin. That aired on ABS-CBN's ''Primetime Bida'' evening block from September 6, 2010 to October 22, 2010 replacing ''Agua Bendita''.
The s ...
''. She then made several guest TV appearances, performing renditions of songs with Avanzado.
Zaragoza also appeared in an episode of ''
Wansapanataym
''Wansapanataym'' ( Filipinization of the English phrase "''once upon a time''") was a Philippine fantasy anthology television series produced and broadcast by ABS-CBN. It airs every Sunday night. The series was aired from June 22, 1997, to Febr ...
: Super Kikay and the Flying Pagong'' with
Kim Chiu
Kimberly Sue Yap Chiu (; born April 19, 1990), professionally known as Kim Chiu, is a Filipino actress, model, host, singer, dancer, and vlogger. She is currently managed by Star Magic, ABS-CBN's home-based talent agency.
Recognized as one o ...
.
In 2012, she portrayed Angela in the afternoon soap based on the 1989 film produced by Seiko Films' Ruben Marcelino, ''
Kokak
''Kokak'' (International title: '' The Frog Princess'') is a Philippine television drama fantasy series broadcast by GMA Network. The series is based on a comics serial of the same title created by Ruben Marcelino and published in ''Darna Komiks ...
'' as the mother to title protagonist
Sarah Lahbati
Sarah Lahbati (born 9 October 1993) is a Swiss-born Filipino actress and reality star. She gained media attention as a finalist on the 5th season of reality show '' StarStruck'', a Philippine overall talent show broadcast on GMA Network. La ...
. In July of that year, her album ''Pag Wala Na Ang Ulan'' was released under GMA Records. The album includes the song "Nasaan" from the TV series ''
Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Langit
''Kung Aagawin Mo ang Langit'' (International title: ''Losing Heaven'' / ) is a Philippine television drama romance series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Jay Altajeros, it stars Carla Abellana, Michelle Madrigal and Mike Tan. It premiered ...
'' on GMA.
On August 3, 2013, she released a digital single called "Missing You" in two different languages; Tagalog and English.
On August 7, 2014, Zaragoza interpreted "Bumabalik Ang Nagdaan" with
Star Music
Star Music (stylized in lowercase as starmusic; formerly known as Star Records), is a record label in the Philippines owned and operated by media conglomerate ABS-CBN Corporation. It was formerly a separate company operating as a wholly owned su ...
(formerly known as Star Records) for the
Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs
Himig Handog (Eng: A Musical Offering) is a multimedia songwriting and music video competition in the Philippines based in Quezon City. The competition is operated by ABS-CBN Corporation and the media conglomerate's music subsidiary Star Music. Th ...
. This is her third time to interpret a song for the Himig Handog Love Song Contest, together with her former singles "Susubukan Kong Muli" (2001) and "Hindi Na Bale" (2005) were released during those years. Hindi Na Bale was also her second time working with Jimmy Antiporda and was also revived by Bugoy Drillon in 2010. This Is her comeback to the recording company after 9 years for the Interpretation of the song her previous works were the albums ''Ibigay Mo Na'' (2000) and ''Kahit Na Ilang Umaga'' (2003–2004) album.
The year 2017 marked a peak Zaragoza's career when she and her husband Avanzado launched their 20/30 album, a revival and commemorative album.
Personal life
Zaragoza is married to singer
Dingdong Avanzado
Fernando Cyril "Dingdong" Veloso Avanzado (born July 7, 1968) is a Filipino singer, actor, politician and TV host.
Early life
Avanzado was born on July 7, 1968 in Quezon City.
He was born to the political Veloso Family of Samar, to Fernando ...
. The wedding happened on March 18, 2001, and was highly publicized in newspapers and television talk shows. They have a daughter named