Sarah Geronimo

Sarah Asher Tua Geronimo-Guidicelli (, , born July 25, 1988) is a Filipino singer, performer and actress. Geronimo rose to prominence after winning the television singing contest '' Star for a Night'' earning her a recording contract with Viva Records. She has won 15 Awit Awards, 28 Myx Music Awards, 8 Aliw Awards, 4 FAMAS Awards including the prestigious FAMAS Golden Artist Award and a World Music Award. Tatler listed her as one of the most influential celebrities, while Forbes Asia named her one of the most powerful influencers.

Life and career

1988–2003: Early beginnings and ''Star for a Night''

Sarah Asher Tua Geronimo was born on July 25, 1988, in Santa Cruz, Manila, the Philippines to Delfin Geronimo, a retired PLDT employee, and Divina Tua, who ran a beauty salon in their house. She is the third of four children. She started singing publicly at age two. At the age of four, she was accompanied by her mother to join auditions for different television programs. Geronimo became part of the shows ''Penpen de Sarapen'' (4–6 years old), ''Ang TV'' (7–8 years old) and ''NEXT'' (8–9 years old). She has also played as an extra in the movie '' Sarah... Ang Munting Prinsesa'' (1995). In between auditions, Geronimo would perform at shopping malls and hotel lounges. Geronimo, then age 7, was one of the performers during the 1995 visit of Pope John Paul II. Geronimo at an early age joined different singing contests the first of which was Tuklas Talino sponsored by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT).

In 2002, Geronimo competed in the television singing contest '' Star for a Night'' airing in IBC. At the age of fourteen, she won the grand prize that included and a managerial contract from Viva Entertainment. Geronimo released her first album '' Popstar: A Dream Come True'' in 2003. Her acting debuts were supporting roles in two of Viva's entries to the 2003 Metro Manila Film Festival: ''Filipinas'' and ''Captain Barbell'' (2003).

2004–2007: ''The Other Side'' and ''In Motion''

Still managed by VIVA, Geronimo signed a TV contract with ABS-CBN network in 2004. She starred in her first television series, ''Sarah the Teen Princess'' (2004) and became a regular host and performer on the variety show '' ASAP'' (2004–present). Geronimo again had supporting roles in the films '' Annie B.'', '' Masikip sa Dibdib'' and '' Lastikman: Unang Banat'' all released in that same year. Geronimo sang the Philippine National Anthem at the pre-inaugural ceremonies of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on June 30, 2004. In November 2004, Geronimo released her second album, '' Sweet Sixteen'' that included the single " How Could You Say You Love Me". Geronimo performed in the ''Night of the Champions'' concert at the Araneta Coliseum with other singing competition winners Rachelle Ann Go and Erik Santos.

In 2005, Geronimo joined the cast of the teen-oriented television program '' SCQ Reload: Kilig Ako'' and hosted two seasons of the singing competition show '' Little Big Star'' (2005–2007). On September 30, 2005, Geronimo staged a solo concert at Araneta Coliseum entitled ''The Other Side''.

In 2006, Geronimo starred in ABS-CBN's primetime soap opera, '' Bituing Walang Ningning'', a remake of the 1985 movie. She played the role of an aspiring singer named Dorina Pineda, originally played by Sharon Cuneta in the movie, and released a soundtrack of the series. In July 2006, Geronimo release her third studio album, '' Becoming'', produced by Christian De Walden. The album yielded three singles: " I Still Believe In Loving You", "Carry My Love" and "Iingatan Ko Ang Pag-ibig Mo". On November 18, 2006, Manny Pacquiao chose Geronimo to sing Lupang Hinirang, the Philippine national anthem, before his match against Mexico's Erik Morales at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Geronimo staged her second major solo concert "In Motion" on July 14, 2007, at the Araneta Coliseum. Unlike her first solo concert, this concert went off with no technical glitches. She spent the rest of 2007 performing concerts in the Philippines and the U.S. and recording her fourth studio album, '' Taking Flight'', which sold more than 60,000 units and achieved double-platinum status. In the latter half of 2007, Geronimo appeared in her third television series for ABS-CBN, '' Pangarap na Bituin''.

2008–2010: ''The Next One'' and ''Record Breaker''

In early 2008, Geronimo reunited with Erik Santos, Rachelle Ann Go, and Christian Bautista in a Valentine's Day concert at the Araneta Coliseum, entitled "OL4LUV". Before Geronimo released her fifth studio album, she released ''I'll Be There'' as the fourth single from ''Taking Flight''. On July 30, 2008, Geronimo starred with Filipino actor John Lloyd Cruz in '' A Very Special Love'' which was produced by Star Cinema and VIVA films and grossed almost . The movie opened with and Isah V. Red of ''The Manila Standard Today'' said, "This only proves that the new generation of Filipino movie audience is ready for their own screen heroine, not someone passed on to them by their parents or grandparents. Geronimo included a track from the film, "A Very Special Love", on her album ''Taking Flight''.
Geronimo's fifth studio album, '' Just Me,'' included a duet with Backstreet Boys member Howie Dorough entitled, "I'll Be There". De Walden again produced this album. Like her previous albums, ''Just Me'' achieved platinum status in December 2008. She was recognized for this accomplishment on the 2008 ASAP Platinum Circle Awards show. On November 8, 2008, Geronimo staged her third major solo concert in Araneta Coliseum, entitled ''The Next One'', which marked the first time she accompanied herself on the piano while on stage. Geronimo's '' Just Me'' album, was re-released, adding ''You Changed My Life''. She was also recognized by ASAP for attaining platinum status for her albums ''Taking Flight'' and ''Just Me'' and for her two concert DVDs (''The Other Side'' and ''Sarah in Motion'').

In February 2009, Geronimo made a movie again with John Lloyd Cruz in '' You Changed My Life'', the sequel of ''A Very Special Love''. The film's total theatrical earnings earned over , and holds the record for the highest grossing Filipino movie made. Geronimo traveled to the US in March to April 2009 for her ''The Next One'' tour, where she received positive reviews about her performances. In June 2009, she re-staged the ''Sarah Geronimo: The Next One'' Philippine concert tour. On August 5, 2009, Geronimo was given the honor to sing the Virna Lisa's 1986 People Power anthem, "Magkaisa" during the funeral of former President Corazon Aquino. Geronimo released a solo Christmas album, ''Your Christmas Girl'' in October 2009. In November 2009, she staged her fourth solo sold-out concert, ''Record Breaker'', in the Araneta Coliseum. The Philippine Daily Inquirer called the concert "a qualified success". At the same day of her concert, she released her sixth studio album, '' Music and Me''. In December 2009, ''Your Christmas Girl'' and ''Music and Me'' both reached platinum status after a month of their release.

On December 1, 2009, Geronimo received a star on the Philippines Walk of Fame at Libis, Eastwood. Geronimo released the DVD ''Record Breaker'', filmed at the Araneta Coliseum, on March 16, 2010, and eventually achieved triple Platinum status in December 2010.

In April 2010, Geronimo was chosen to endorse an online game called Superstar which was launched by X-Play as an online singing star search. Geronimo also lent her voice in singing its theme song "This Is My Dream."

In September 2010, Geronimo starred in a musical series entitled '' 1DOL'' which was aired on ABS-CBN and she appeared in the film '' Hating Kapatid'' under Viva Films.

2011–2012: ''Catch Me, I'm in Love, Sarah G. Live!'', and concerts

In February 2011, she had a Valentine concert with Martin Nievera titled "What Love Is" at the Araneta Coliseum.A night of love, laughter and kilig – SOUNDS FAMILIAR By Baby A. Gil – The Philippine Star " News " Entertainment
''The Philippine Star''. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
Geronimo worked with Gerald Anderson in the film collaboration of Star Cinema and Viva Films entitled ''Catch Me, I'm in Love'' which was shown on March 23, 2011, in theaters nationwide and shown as a summer release in the Philippines. In November 2011, Geronimo made a movie again with Gerald Anderson in '' Won't Last A Day Without You'' which earned on its opening day. Geronimo signed an exclusive one-year contract with ABS-CBN, it states her future projects and commitments such as having a weekly solo show, an extension as a performer in ''ASAP Rocks'', and a movie with John Lloyd Cruz for the third time. Also this year, Geronimo is declared as the Princess of Philippine Movies by the Guillermo Mendoza Box Office Awards for her movie, Catch Me, I'm in Love together with Gerald Anderson.

In October of the same year, the singer took private lessons on Jazz music during her vacation in the USA. She was also vocally supervised by Yosha Honassan who later on became the writer of some of her jazz songs.

Geronimo had her solo weekly musical-variety show every Sunday night titled '' Sarah G. Live!'' and her movie with John Lloyd Cruz is in production.

In July 2012, Geronimo staged her fifth major solo concert in the "Big Dome" entitled 24/SG.
In November 2012, Geronimo was chosen as the "Bayanihan Ambassadress" of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

In December 2012, Geronimo won a string of awards one of which is the Best Asian Artist Award (Philippines) at the recently concluded Mnet Asian Music Awards. Geronimo also won major awards in Awit Awards, Aliw Awards and PMPC Star Awards for Music.

2013–2015: ''The Voice of the Philippines'' and international activities

In 2013, Geronimo will have her own drama anthology entitled '' Sarah G. Presents''. Geronimo is also set to be a coach and judge in ''The Voice of the Philippines''.

In March 2013, Geronimo received two Presidential Awards, Ani ng Dangal for Multi-Disciplinary Arts and National Commission for Culture and the Arts (Philippines) Goodwill Ambassadress for Music. Geronimo is nominated for three categories at the 2013 World Music Awards (WMA): best entertainer of the year, best live act, and best female artist. Also her movie which is shown on March 30, 2013, '' It Takes a Man and a Woman'' broke box office records and became the highest grossing Filipino film of all time.

In June 2013, Viva Records announced that she wouldbe releasing her tenth studio album on July before her birthday. The album's title was later revealed to be '' Expressions'', which was contain mainly original songs that she co-produced herself. It was released on July 22. On August 8, Geronimo became the brand endorser of KakaoTalk together with K-pop boyband Big Bang.

In December 2013, she was elevated into Anak TV Seal Hall of Famer for being a "credible, wholesome and worth emulating by the youth".
Geronimo was also nominated for the Best Southeast Asian Act category in the 2013 MTV Europe Music Awards.

On May 27, 2014, Geronimo are among the acts that won accolades in the 2014 World Music Awards held in Monaco, winning the Best Selling Philippines Artist award. She became the first Filipino music artist who received an award in the World Music Awards history.

On August 26, 2014, Spotify Philippines revealed that Geronimo was one of the most streamed artists within the country alongside band Eraserheads.

Geronimo release her eleventh studio album titled '' Perfectly Imperfect'' on October 4, 2014. The album also included songs which were written by international music producer Adam Hurstfield and Canadian singer Elise Estrada. The album's lead single, " Kilometro", premiered on September 17, 2014, and was written by Thyro & Yumi.

Geronimo was voted as the Best Southeast Asia Act at the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards and was also nominated as Best Southeast Asia, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwanese Act.

She was included in BuzzFeed's 2014 list of The 20 Filipino Music Artists You Need To Listen Right Now.

Geronimo has been chosen by Disney to re-interpret the theme song of its Princess franchise. In a teaser aired on Disney Channel, Geronimo revealed that she did her own version of "The Glow" and that its music video will premiere on December 6, 2014.

In July 2015, Geronimo with her song " Kilometro" represented the Philippines in the 10th International Song Contest: The Global Sound hosted by Australian jury, as one of the 70 semi-finalists from different countries all over the world and later on advanced as one of the top 25 finalists. In the final round, Geronimo was adjudged as the winner and received the Gold Global Sound award. ISC: The Global Sound confirmed on their Facebook page that this is the first Asian country to win the contest.

Geronimo also starred in the blockbuster movie ''The Breakup Playlist'', together with Filipino actor Piolo Pascual, which was shown in cinemas on July 1. The movie grossed PHP 200 million.

In October 2015, Geronimo was chosen to record ''Felix Manalo'''s theme song "Ang Sugo ng Diyos Sa Mga Huling Araw" and later won Best Movie Theme Song on both PMPC Star Awards for Movies and FAMAS Awards in 2016.

Xeleb Inc., the first celebrity mobile games company in the Philippines, tapped Geronimo for its newest gaming app, Sarah G Popsters. The app officially launched on November 24, 2015.

In December 2015, for the second consecutive year, Spotify Philippines hailed Geronimo as one of the most streamed Filipino artists alongside bands Eraserheads and Up Dharma Down.

On December 9, 2015, Geronimo received her 10th Awit Award. At the 28th Awit Awards, ''Perfectly Imperfect'' was awarded "Album of the Year".

On December 18, 2015, Geronimo was voted as the Asian Artist of the Year at the Hello Asia! K-Pop Awards 2015.

2016–2018: Endorsements, ''The Great Unknown, This 15 Me, Miss Granny'' and International Recognition

On February 29, 2016, Big Apple Music Awards announced on their official Twitter account that Geronimo has been nominated as "Best Filipino Female Artist".

In March 2016, Philippine Airlines officials, led by the chairman Dr. Lucio C. Tan and President Jaime J. Bautista, celebrated the airline's 75th anniversary during a gala dinner for PAL employees at the SMX-MOA in Pasay, where the flag carrier also unveiled its new advertising campaign – The Heart of the Filipino: Shining Through – with top Filipino singers Sarah Geronimo, Bamboo and Lea Salonga as endorsers.

On September 21, 2016, Geronimo was named as one of the nominees in the Best Southeast Asian Act for the 2016 MTV Europe Music Awards set on November 6, 2016, at the Ahoy Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

On October 12, 2016, Geronimo's ''The Great Unknown'' won Best Secular Album in the 38th Catholic Mass Media Awards. This is the second time Sarah received the award, the first was for ''Perfectly Imperfect'' album.

Geronimo was recognized as this year's Best Asian Performer during the Classic Rock Awards 2016 held in Tokyo, Japan on November 11, 2016.
Geronimo attended the awarding ceremony at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Stadium in Tokyo, where she performed the song "Anak" by Freddie Aguilar.

On November 29, 2016, Geronimo held her album show entitled The Great Unknown: Unplugged in Kia Theatre in promotion of her platinum-selling album ''The Great Unknown''. Due to its success, Geronimo brought the show in different provinces in the country including Albay