Ariel Rivera
Jose Ariel Jimenez Rivera, professionally known as Ariel Rivera, is a Filipino singer, songwriter and actor.
Rivera was born in Manila, Philippines but has since migrated with his family to Canada. He has since become a successful singer-songwriter, and actor. He is dubbed as "Kilabot ng Kolehiyala", a title formerly bestowed upon Hajji Alejandro, a popular Filipino singer in the 1970s.
Career
Music career
Rivera was a graduate of architecture in Canada and he was also an undergraduate of Psychology before his singing talent was accidentally discovered by Vehnee Saturno while he was on holiday in the Philippines singing at a cousin's wedding. In 1989, Musiko Records & BMG Records Inc. signed Rivera to their label. His self-titled debut album was released after two years. The first single, "Sana Kahit Minsan" was a No. 1 pop-r&b crossover hit. The album went 3× platinum. In 1992, he quickly released his second album, Simple Lang. This album also went 3× platinum.In 1994, Rivera began recording new material for his next album, Photograph. Photograph was released in 1995. His album reached Gold status in the Philippines. Due to his acting commitments, he wasn't able to release albums as frequently as he did before, but in 2008, he released Once Again, which continued nine original songs and covers of "Kung Ako na Lang Sana" and Michael Bolton's "Go the Distance".
Acting career
In 1992, Rivera tried acting. His first starring role in the film Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal earned him a Best Supporting Actor award in the 1992 Metro Manila Film Festival. He landed a lead role opposite Sharon Cuneta in 1993's "Ikaw". He also co-starred in Isang Sulok Ng Mga Pangarap ; Anghel Na Walang Langit ; Minsan May Pangarap: The Guce Family Story ; May Nagmamahal Sa'yo, Ikaw Pala Ang Mahal Ko and Bata, bata... Pa'no Ka Ginawa?. In 1999, he played the title character of Rama in the staging of Rama at Sita – The Musical by SK Entertainment at the University Theatre. For most of the 2000s, he acted in GMA teleseryes.Personal life
Rivera has two older siblings, and two younger siblings.He married actress Gelli de Belen, on December 22, 1997, in Santuario de San José, and both did a film released five months before their marriage entitled "Ikaw Pala Ang Mahal Ko". The couple has two sons: Joaquín Andrés and Julio Alessandro.
Albums
- Ariel Rivera 3× platinum
- Simple Lang 3× platinum
- Photograph Gold
- Paskong Walang Katulad Gold
- *Paskong Walang Katulad, the special Ariel Rivera Deluxe Christmas album
- Getting to Know Platinum
- Aawitin Ko Na Lang Gold
- In My Life 2× platinum
- Platinum Hits 5× platinum
- ''Once Again''
Collaborations
- Ryan Cayabyab Silver Album
- The Best of Love Duets
- Something More
- Signature Hits OPM's Best Vol. 2
Awards
- Best New Male Artist- Awit Awards, 1991
- Best Performance by a New Male Recording Artist- 1992
- Best Supporting Actor – Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal, Metro Manila Film Festival, 1992
- Music Video of the Year- Tunay Na Ligaya, 1997
- Best Vocal Performance of the Year by a Duet/Group- I Don't Love You Anymore with Lea Salonga, 1999
- Outstanding Lead Actor- Forever in my Heart, 2nd Golden Screen Awards, 2005
- Best Actor- Parola, Bahaghari Awards
Filmography