Mar 19, 2024
bicolano-celebrities

Ozzias T. Villaver Jr., Ed. D. | GoGaGah

Every celebrity have their own hometown. And we’re proud that some of them have Bicol roots. Among the famous Bicolano celebrities are:

Ely Buendia, born in Naga City, Camarines Sur, on November 2, 1970,  whose real name is Eleandre Basino Buendia, is a Filipino musician, writer and director.  He became very popular as songwriter, guitarist and lead vocalist of the famous Pinoy rock band Eraserheads. After leaving this rock band, he invited his musician friends to form a group called The Mogols, consisting of J. Astro, guitarist, (also known as Jerome Velasco)(of The Teeth); Yan Yuzon Jugo, bassist, drummer bogs “Boga Man” (of the Indie pop band Daydream Cycle); and, Buendia on guitars and vocals under the stage name Jesus “Dizzy”´Ventra.

His group, The Mogols,  toured the country and the US too. Regarded as one of the most respected music icons of the Philippines, Ely Buendia currently performs as guitarist and lead vocalist for Pupil.  Sometimes, he appears in solo concert and is being invited as guest performer in various musical shows in the country.  Furthermore, his compositions are considered classics and (he) continues to promote his stylistic Filipino rock music.  Ely buendia, a bicolano oragon musician.

Andrew E., born in Naga City, Camarines Sur, on July 30, 1957, in real life name is Andrew Espiritu.  He is one of the most popular Filipino rappers in the Philippines. Also a record producer and actor, he made his debut hit single “Humanap ka ng Panget” (1990), a bestseller rapping throughout the country.  In effect then, he received the award of the PMPC Star Awards for Music (2010) for his album Clubzilla, thus, winning for him the “Rap Album of the Year.”

Andrew E. entered the show business, appearing first in the TV show of German Moreno’s That’s Entertainment  of GMA-7 in the early of 1990’s.

In 1995, Andrew E. founded the Dungalo Wreckords to encourage new rap talents like the rap group, Salbakuta, whose single “S2upid Luv” became a best-seller and was used in a film starred by Andrew E. himself.  Andrew E., a bicolano oragon Filipino rapper and actor.

Gary Valenciano, born in Camalig, Albay on August 6, 1964, known in real life name as Gary Valenciano or Gary V., is a Filipino musician. Also known as Mr. Pure Energy because of his unique dynamism and style in dancing and length of show. He had produced 26 albums. He became UNICEF Philippines first National Ambassador in 1998.  Gary won the Awit Awards for “Best Male Performer” eleven times. He received the ASAP Elite Platinum Circle Award for 2008 for his extraordinary contributions/achievements in the local music industry.  And so, for his remarkable contribution in the music industry in 25 years, Gay was awarded five Platinum Albums, four double Platinum albums, three triple Platinum Albums, and two sextuple Platinum Albums.

Gary’s most notable songs are: “Di Bale Na lang’ (“never Mind’’), “Eto Na Naman’ (“Here We Go Again”), “Sana Maulit Muli’ (I WishIt Could Happen Again”), “Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos?”( Does God Sleep?”), “Gaya ng dati” (“Just like Before”), “Pasko na Sinta Ko” (“It’s already Christmas My Love”), and “Narito N” (Here”).

Gary is presently one of the ABS-CBN contract actors. His popular compositions are used as theme songs in some opera soaps and films of said network. He is known also for his charitable works and special guesting performance in the country. Truly, a Bicolano oragon Filipino musician and philanthropist.

Robin Padilla, born in Daet, Camarines Norte on November 23, 1969, known in real life as Robinhood Ferdinand Carino Padilla, is a Filipino actor, martial artist, film director, producer and screen writer. Robin is the son of the LateCasimiro Padilla Sr, a film-director and vice-governor of Camarines Norte in 1970’s and Assemblyman in 1980’s. His mother was an actress and (he) has three siblings, all became actors also, namely Rustom, Rommel and Royette.  He is the father of Ms. Kylie Padilla, one of the four main characters in GMA-7 television series, Encatadia, as Amihan.

Robin is sometimes dubbed as the “bad Boy” of the modern Philippine cinema. He is both a matinee idol and cultural icon. He has been engaged in Philippine cinema for more than two decades. Presently, he is also active in television series programs of ABS-CBN and some commercial ads.             Robin, a Bicolano oragon Filipino actor and a philanthropist.

Eddie Garcia, born in Sorsogon on May 2, 1929, known in real life as Eduardo Verchez Garcia, is a Filipino actor and film director. As the most awarded nominated person in the long history of the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Awards,  Eddie was awarded a total of 34 nominations (13 for Best Supporting Actor, 10 for Best Actor and 11 for Best Director).  Out of these, he got 6 Best Supporting Actor wins, 3 Hall of Fame Awards, 1 Lifetime Achievement Award and the Fernando Poe Jr, Jr. Memorial Award.  He received his first FAMAS AWARD in 1957 and his last FAMAS, a Hall of Fame for Best Actor in 2003.  Currently, he appears as supporting actor sometimes in the television series of the two big televisions of the country.

Eddie, popularly known as “Manoy” in Filipino moviedom and to his friends, was a war veteran who served with the Philippine Scouts during the World War II. He was also assigned as a military policeman in Okinawa, Japan before entering the Philippines movie business.  Eddie, a Bicolano oragon Filipino actor