Alex Gonzaga

Early life

Alex Gonzaga was born Catherine Cruz Gonzaga on January 16, 1988, in Taytay, Rizal, Philippines, to Crisanta "Pinty" Cruz and then-Vice-Mayor Carlito "Bonoy" Gonzaga. Her elder sister is TV host and actress Toni Gonzaga.

Alex graduated from the University of Asia and the Pacific with a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Education.

Personal life

In November 2016, Gonzaga began dating Lipa councilor Mikee Morada. On January 16, 2020, Gonzaga announced on Instagram that she and Morada were engaged. On January 17, 2021, Gonzaga announced on her YouTube channel that she and Morada have been married in a private wedding at the Gonzaga residence in Taytay since November 2020.

On October 24, 2020, Gonzaga announced that she and her family announced tested positive for COVID-19.

In 2021, Gonzaga was pregnant with her first child, until she suffered a miscarriage. In October 2023, she suffered a second miscarriage, followed by a third in December 2024.

Career

2006–2012: Early works

Gonzaga started her career on ABS-CBN for the sitcom, Let's Go!, where she played the role of Alex, which also became her personal nickname. Her role lasted until the series' fourth season called Gokada Go!. After her departure from the sitcom, she was cast in different dramas on the same network, such as Pangarap na Bituin, Your Song and My Girl.

In 2008, Gonzaga transferred to TV5 and became one of the hosts for the talk show, Juicy!. She played a lead role in the 2011 soap opera Babaeng Hampaslupa. Further roles on the network include BFGF, P.S. I Love You and Enchanted Garden.

2013–2019: Breakthrough

Gonzaga returned to ABS-CBN in April 2013. She was a co-host for the Philippine version of The Voice. She also served as a guest host for the Philippine version of Big Brother on its All In season. During the pilot episode of PBB: All In, Gonzaga was revealed to be the third and final celebrity housemate to enter the Pinoy Big Brother house, following collegiate athlete Michele Gumabao and actress Jane Oineza. She was given the title as "Sassy Sister ng Rizal". During a diary room session with Big Brother, Gonzaga turns out to be actually a celebrity houseguest and was tasked to avoid revealing the information to the other official housemates. After staying in the Big Brother house for two months, she returned to the "outside world" on June 14, 2014, and she was replaced by internet sensation Cheridel Alejandrino, also known as "Elevator Girl". Gonzaga went on to play her most major role as the lead character Diane Santos in the hit drama series Pure Love, a Philippine adaptation of Korean drama 49 Days, co-starring Yen Santos. Pure Love aired from July to November 2014.

She was also part of the comedy gag show Banana Split, and also starred in the drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya for two episodes. She then released her novel book Dear Alex, Break na Kami. Paano? Love Catherine (2014), under ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc. The novel received positive reviews from fans and critics alike, most complimenting the novel's "break-up" concept and enjoying its humor. A film adaption for the novel was reported to be in the works, with Gonzaga sharing interest in casting Luis Manzano, John Lloyd Cruz and Piolo Pascual for the film adaption.

She was also cast on her first film under Star Cinema, The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin (2014), one of the official entries to the 40th Metro Manila Film Festival. The film was commercially successful and achieved the milestones for having the highest-gross on opening day of any local film and the title of being one of the highest-grossing local film of all time in the Philippines. The film received mixed to negative reviews from critics. Zig Marasigan from Rappler described the film in his movie review as "a brainless, hyper-stylized and utterly ridiculous family comedy."

Gonzaga released her debut studio album I Am Alex G. (2015) with the studio album's lead hit single, "Panaginip Lang", under Star Music. The studio album had a grand launch at Eastwood Central Plaza on March 22, 2015, and a concert, AG from the East: The Unexpected Concert, which was later on held at the Araneta Coliseum to support her studio album on April 25, 2015. She had another major project as the lead star of the fantasy series Inday Bote, a TV adaptation of the classic Filipino film of the same title. She also took hosting duties in the original, local dance competition show Dance Kids, alongside Robi Domingo.

2020–2023: Return to TV5 during the COVID-19 pandemic

After the shutdown of ABS-CBN and loss of the network's franchise, Gonzaga returned to TV5 and was one of the main hosts of Brightlight Productions's variety show Lunch Out Loud (Tropang LOL), which aired from October 2020 to April 2023.

Filmography

Film

Television

Music videos

Discography

Extended plays

Singles

Chart performance

Concerts

• AG from the East: The Unexpected Concert (2015)

Written works

• Dear Alex, Break na Kami. Paano? Love Catherine (2014)
• Dear Alex, We're Dating. Tama, Mali?! Love Catherine (2016)
• • Sissums* (2018)

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. (September 27, 2021). "The 10 biggest Filipino YouTubers in terms of subscriber count".
2. Almo, Nerisa. (November 8, 2014). "Alex Gonzaga explains why she will have hard time letting go of her Pure Love character". PEP.ph.
3. (April 3, 2012). "Fresh Graduate Alex Gonzaga Hopes to Become a Teacher". ph.news.yahoo.com.
4. (November 4, 2019). "LOOK: Alex Gonzaga marks third anniversary with Mikee Morada". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
5. (January 17, 2020). "LOOK: Alex Gonzaga gets engaged on her birthday". ABS-CBN News.
6. (January 17, 2021). "Alex Gonzaga and Mikee Morada are married".
7. (October 24, 2020). "Alex Gonzaga, family tested positive for coronavirus".
8. (October 17, 2021). "'Don't ever lose hope': Alex Gonzaga opens up about miscarriage".
9. Llemit, Kathleen A.. (November 5, 2023). "Alex Gonzaga reveals 2nd pregnancy loss". Philstar.
10. Bravo, Frances Karmel S.. (November 5, 2023). "Alex Gonzaga recounts pain of recurrent miscarriage after IVF". PEP.ph.
11. (January 27, 2025). "Alex Gonzaga suffers third miscarriage: husband". ABS-CBN.
12. "Remember when Alex Gonzaga portrayed Sarah Geronimo's best friend in a teleserye?".
13. "Joross Gamboa, Alex Gonzaga, and Victor Basa form zany love triangle in "Your Song"".
14. Rodriquez Alipio, Kabbie. (October 14, 2013). "15 MINUTES WITH ALEX GONZAGA". stylebible.ph.
15. (April 30, 2014). "PBB All In Housemate Alex Gonzaga Biography". centertechnews.com.
16. Valeza, Karen. (April 17, 2013). "Alex Gonzaga returns as a Kapamilya". ph.omg.yahoo.com.
17. (April 19, 2013). "Alex Gonzaga returns to ABS-CBN". tempo.com.ph.
18. (2013-10-01). "Failon teases Alex Gonzaga over 'Ted Filan' joke". ABS-CBN News.
19. Smith, Chuck. (April 29, 2014). "The 18 housemates of 'Pinoy Big Brother All In'". The Philippine Star.
20. Lastrilla, Gary Ann. (May 4, 2014). "Big Brother reveals why Alex is inside his house". ABS-CBN Entertainment.
21. (2014-06-20). "WATCH: Alex Gonzaga in trending 'Pure Love' trailer". ABS-CBN News.
22. (2014-11-14). "'Pure Love' spares Diane in twist ending". ABS-CBN News.
23. (2014-11-18). "'Pure Love' exits with record rating". ABS-CBN News.
24. (August 1, 2013). "Alex Gonzaga debuts on 'MMK'". ABS-CBN News.
25. (September 2014). "Dear Alex, Break na Kami. Paano? Love Catherine".
26. (September 2014). "Dear Alex, Break na Kami. Paano? Love Catherine".
27. (February 6, 2015). "Alex Gonzaga's book to be turned into a movie". ABS-CBN News.
28. [http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/08/07/14/alex-gets-news-praybeyt-benjamin-casting Alex gets news of 'Praybeyt Benjamin' casting]
29. "News | Star Cinema".
30. (August 8, 2014). "Alex Gonzaga, One Of The Cast Of "Praybeyt Benjamin" Sequel".
31. PULIS, Fashion. "Tweet Scoop: The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin is the Filipino Film with Highest Opening Day Gross".
32. (December 27, 2014). "'Praybeyt Benjamin 2' Review: Show me the money".
33. (March 21, 2015). "'I Am Alex G' all set for Grand Album Launch {{!}} Star Cinema".
34. (December 3, 2014). "Matteo Guidicelli Joins Alex Gonzaga for the TV Adaptation of "Inday Bote"".
35. "Matteo, Kean and Alex start preps for 'Inday Bote'".
36. (March 3, 2015). "Alex Gonzaga is 'Inday Bote'".
37. (March 11, 2015). "Meet Alex Gonzaga and the star-studded cast of Inday Bote".
38. Bote”, Alex Gonzaga Excited To Reprise Maricel Soriano’s Role In “Inday. (December 10, 2014). "Alex Gonzaga Excited To Reprise Maricel Soriano's Role In "Inday Bote"".
39. "Alex Gonzaga and Robi Domingo to host talent search Dance Kids this November on ABS-CBN".
40. [http://www.pep.ph/guide/music/21768/alex-gonzaga-and-robi-domingo-to-host-talent-search-dance-kids-this-november-on-abs-cbn Alex Gonzaga and Robi Domingo to host talent search Dance Kids this November on ABS-CBN]
41. Severo, Jan Milo. "Kapamilya stars dominate TV5's new entertainment lineup".
42. "Last film of Wenn Deramas to premiere on iWant".
43. "LOOK: Official posters of Toni, Alex Gonzaga's movie".
44. "JC de Vera and Alex Gonzaga's 'The Entitled' to debut on Netflix".
45. (March 27, 2015). "Alex Gonzaga - Panaginip Lang (Music Video)". [[Star Music]].
46. (November 7, 2015). "Alex Gonzaga - Break Na Tayo (Music Video)". [[Star Music]].
47. (September 9, 2016). "Unbound - Marion feat. Alex Gonzaga, Morissette & Kidwolf (Music Video)". [[Star Music]].
48. (November 18, 2018). "Alex Gonzaga - Chambe (Official Music Video)". Alex Gonzaga.
49. (December 14, 2018). "Alex Gonzaga - Chambe (Christmas Remix)". [[Star Music]].
50. (December 18, 2018). "Alex and Toni Gonzaga - Sissums OST". Alex Gonzaga.
51. (June 7, 2019). "Alex Gonzaga - Tipints (Official Music Video)". Alex Gonzaga.
52. (August 30, 2019). "Please Lang - Alex Gonzaga feat. Toni Gonzaga (Music Video)". [[Star Music]].
53. (October 25, 2019). "Alex Gonzaga ft Perea Street - G (Official Video)". Alex Gonzaga.
54. (December 7, 2019). "Alex Gonzaga - AMFEE (Official Music Video)". Alex Gonzaga.
55. (December 13, 2019). "AMFEE - Alex Gonzaga (Performance Video)". [[Star Music]].
56. (December 20, 2019). "AMFEE - Alex Gonzaga (Vertical Video)". [[Star Music]].
57. (February 6, 2021). "Alex Gonzaga ft. Arvey - WKT (Official Music Video)". Alex Gonzaga.
58. Castillo, Jonathan. (5 November 2020). "BaiCon InFest: The First and Biggest Virtual Gathering of Creators in the Country".