Alden Richards was born as Richard Reyes Faulkerson, Jr.[2] on January 2, 1992,[3] in Quezon City and was raised in Santa Rosa, Laguna.[4] He is the second child of Richard Peralta Faulkerson, Sr. of Ermita, Manila and Rosario Reyes, a native of Pampanga.[5] He has three siblings, an older brother and two younger sisters.[6] Richards's paternal grandfather, whom he never met, was American.[7][8]
Growing up, Richards wanted to be a chef but his mother urged him to pursue acting instead.[9][10] After his mother died, Richards joined various male beauty pageants in Laguna and worked as a part-time commercial model to support his family financially and to fulfill his mother's wish for him to be an actor.[11] He holds the titles Ginoong Sta Rosa 2009 and Ginoong Laguna 2010.[9] He auditioned for the reality television shows StarStruck and Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Clash of 2010, but was not cast in either show.[12][13] He also appeared in various commercials, including a telecommunication company, clothing line, fast-food chain and multivitamins.[14] He studied at Paco Catholic School in Paco, Manila[15] and at Colegio de Santa Rosa de Lima High School, where he graduated.[16] He began, but has not completed, a Business Management degree at De La Salle Canlubang in Laguna.[17]
After doing modeling stints, Alden auditioned for an acting role on the GMA Network's afternoon soap, Alakdana. He passed the audition and played the role of Joma.[18] In Alakdana, he was paired with the lead actress Louise delos Reyes.[18] When he became an actor, he used the stage name Alden Richards.[9] In 2011, he was included in the teenage series, Tween Hearts and also starred in its film adaptation Tween Hearts: Class of 2012.[19] He also performed on GMA Network's Sunday variety shows Party Pilipinas and Sunday All Stars.[9] He also appeared in the comedy-horror show Spooky Nights.[20] Richards was praised with his performance as a psychopath in the film The Road.[21] By the end of 2011, he replaced Aljur Abrenica's role as Gobi in Ang Panday 2, which is an entry at the 2011 Metro Manila Film Festival.[22] Abrenica was pulled out of the film due to conflict of schedules and Richards re-shoots scenes made by Abrenica.[22] Richards was also praised by some entertainment writers for his performances, predicting that he would be the next big star of GMA Network.[23]
Richards was awarded as the 1st Filipino Amazing Male Newcomer in the first Yahoo! OMG! Philippines Awards in 2011.[24] He also won as Best New Actor in the Golden Screen Awards in the same year.[25] He invited FHM Sexiest of 2011 Sam Pinto for a date on national TV.[26] The latter did accept the invitation and went on a cruise date with Richards in Manila Bay, but the actress revealed that it was just a friendly date.[26] On Valentine's Day of 2012, A Date with Alden Richards, a GMA Network promo, was held on national television and the micro-blogging site Twitter where it trended.[27]
2012–2014: One True Love, Ilustrado and music career
In 2012, Richards played the supporting role of a thief named Rico on the primetime series, My Beloved headlined by Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes.[28] He also acted on the episode "UNOS" (Calamity) of the fourth season of a Holy Week special, Tanikala, presented by Christian Broadcasting Network.[29] Richards starred in his first lead role on a prime time TV series with One True Love, which premiered on June 11, 2012,[30][31] and was paired again with Louise delos Reyes.[32] In the series, Richards who played "Tisoy" is a poor guy who is in love with a rich girl. According to him, the series was his biggest break in the show business industry.[33] Richards' earned his first Best Actor nomination for One True Love in the 2013 Golden Screen TV Awards.[34] It took a while before he had a new television or film project until he was cast as young Simeon (the character played by Bong Revilla) in the historical drama Indio in 2013.[35] According to Richards, he is proud to play the role as young Simeon.[35]
The story of Alden's life was featured on drama anthology, Magpakailanman aired in March 2013 (re-aired on September 12, 2015) wherein he portrayed himself.[36][37] In the same year, Richards and delos Reyes was paired again in the GMA Network melodrama series entitled Mundo Mo'y Akin with actresses Sunshine Dizon and Angelika dela Cruz.[38][39][40] Richards' portrayal on the show earned him another nomination at the 5th Golden Screen TV Awards.[41] On October 25, 2013, Richards signed an exclusive contract with GMA Network.[42] He debuted as a singer through the #SummerCrush episode of the Sunday noontime show, Party Pilipinas in April 2013.[43] He launched his first single, "Haplos", a revival of Shamrock's hit song, which surfaced in My Music Store[44][45] and iTunes on April 5, 2013.[43][46] The self-titled debut album, Alden Richards, under Universal Records, was released on May 26, 2013.[47] The track "Haplos" was used as soundtrack on his primetime show Mundo Mo'y Akin.[44] Meanwhile, "Di Na Mababawi" and "Sa Aking Tabi" were used as theme songs for the Filipino-dubbed version koreanovelaMy Daughter, Seoyoung and morning drama With a Smile respectively.[48] He was featured as Myx Celebrity VJ for the month of June 2013.[49] For his song "Haplos", Richards was nominated in the "Best Performance by a New Recording Artist" category in the 27th Awit Awards.[50] On the 6th Star Awards for Music, Richards was nominated for "New Male Recording Artist for the Year" while his self-titled album was nominated for "Album Cover Design and Concept of the Year".[51]
In 2014, Richards was paired with Marian Rivera in the television series Carmela.[52][53] The song "Naaalala Ka" from his self-titled album, served as the ending theme for Carmela. He also starred in a short film entitled Kinabukasan with veteran Filipina actress Nora Aunor.[54][55] He hosted Bet ng Bayan, a talent search television program of GMA Network, together with Regine Velasquez.[56] Close to the end of 2014, he had another television series produced by GMA News and Public Affairs entitled Ilustrado.[57] He played the role of Filipino patriot José Rizal that gave Richards his first Best Actor award from the 29th PMPC Star Awards for Television.[58] He was the only nominee from his home network against a field of respected actors from the rival television network.[59]
2015–2021: Eat Bulaga!'s AlDub and Asia's Multimedia Actor
In 2015, Richards became part of the Philippines' longest running noontime variety show, Eat Bulaga! He appeared as a host in the segment "That's My Bae".[60] On July 16, 2015, Richards was unintentionally paired to his Eat Bulaga! co-host Maine "Yaya Dub" Mendoza during an episode of the "Juan for All, All for Juan" segment.[61] They instantly became a love team, dubbed as AlDub.[62] Because of their popularity, Eat Bulaga! created a mini-series for AlDub labeled by Joey de Leon as Kalyeserye.[63] In Kalyeserye, Richards plays different roles including fictionalized version of himself and as Anselmo.[64][65]
On August 6, 2015, Richards signed a four-year film contract with APT Entertainment,[66] the film outfit of Eat Bulaga! producer TAPE Inc. In the same month, Richards signed a recording contract with GMA Records.[67] Richards' second album, Wish I May, was launched on October 17, 2015 in SM City North EDSA Cinema 11.[68] The album contains two original songs and the rest are renditions.[69] The first single, "Wish I May," is an original composition by Agat Obar-Morallo and was released earlier for online downloading and streaming in September 2015.[70][71] The music video of "Wish I May" premiered on October 18, 2015, on GMA Network's Sunday noontime show Sunday PinaSaya,[72] where Richards is also a co-host. The single landed on the top spot of iTunes Philippines song charts.[73] The song "Wish I May" is used as the theme song for the series with the same name.[74] The sophomore album earned a gold record award from Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI) prior to being officially launched.[75]
In September 2015, his self-titled debut album earned a gold record award recognition from PARI and ranked number 10 on Billboard's World Albums Charts (Billboard).[76] In October 2015, Universal Records released a special edition of the debut album which included AlDub theme song "God Gave Me You" by Bryan White.[77] In the same month, the album Wish I May received a platinum record award from PARI for selling more than 15,000 copies.[78] In November 2015, his debut album Alden Richards has been certified platinum.[79] As for the album Wish I May, it went on to earn a number of recognition from PARI as it received double platinum in December 2015,[80] triple platinum award on January 21, 2016,[81] quadruple platinum award on February 28, 2016,[82] five times platinum record in March 2016,[83] seven times platinum in July 2016,[84] and eight times platinum in September 2016.[85]
The theme song for GMA Network's Christmas station ID entitled "MaGMAhalan Tayo Ngayong Pasko" was performed by Alden in 2015.[86] Aside from singing the theme song, Richards also appeared on the station ID music video with Maine Mendoza and the Kalyeserye's lolas (Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola and Paolo Ballesteros).[87] In December 2015, Richards and Mendoza starred in the 41st Metro Manila Film Festival entry My Bebe Love#KiligPaMore.[88] The film headlined by Vic Sotto and Ai-Ai delas Alas and was directed by Jose Javier Reyes.[89] Also in December 2015, Richards together with Mendoza were also given a German Moreno Power Tandem Award.[90] Richards received a star at the Philippine Walk of Fame on December 1, 2015, at Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City along with his "Kalyeserye" co-stars.[91]
In March 2016, Richards and Maine Mendoza starred in God Gave Me You, a Lenten season drama special of Eat Bulaga![92] In July 2016, Imagine You and Me was shown in cinemas as AlDub's first anniversary offering to fans.[93] In the film, Richards and Mendoza played star-crossed lovers and were lead actors for the first time.[94] In August 2016, Richards released a book entitled Alden Richards: In My Own Words under Summit Media.[95][96] Aside from being a regular host in Eat Bulaga! and Sunday PinaSaya, Richards' television appearances in 2016 included his participation as a contestant in Lip Sync Battle Philippines[97] and as a guest in the television series That's My Amboy, where he portrayed himself.[98]
In September 2016, Richards was included in the reboot series of Encantadia as Lakan (a Mulawin character).[99] His first appearance in said fantasy series generated public interest and became a trending topic in a social media website.[100] In the same month, Richards renewed his contract with GMA Network.[101]
In February 2017, Destined to be Yours; his first television series opposite his love team partner, Maine Mendoza was shown on GMA Network.
Alden played the lead in the docudrama Alaala: A Martial Law Special as real-life activist Bonifacio Ilagan.[102] Richards said it was the most difficult role he has had to tackle as an actor.[103] The show, first broadcast in September 2017, co-starred Bianca Umali as Rizalina Ilagan, Rocco Nacino, and Gina Alajar,[103][104] and was directed by Adolfo Alix Jr. and written by Bonifacio Ilagan.[102] The special won the silver medal in the docudrama category at the New York Festivals television and film awards.[105] Richards and program manager Joy Madrigal received the award for GMA at the awarding ceremonies.[106][107]
In 2020, Richards joined as the lead host and one of the performers in the musical-comedy variety show All-Out Sundays, after the cancellation of its predecessor Sunday PinaSaya, where he previously co-hosted.[111]
In March 2023, Richards rejoined Eat Bulaga! after a year-long hiatus from the show, focusing on other projects including the TV series Start-Up PH in 2022.[112][113]
In April 2023, Alden Richards has been tapped as one of the hosts for this year's Miss Universe Philippines pageant, which will be held on May 13 at the Mall of Asia Arena
Alden Richards and Julia Montes are starring in a movie together titled Five Break-ups and A Romance, this is the first-ever collaboration of GMA Pictures, Cornerstone Studios, and Myriad Entertainment.
In June 2023, Sharon Cuneta posted photos of herself hugging Alden Richards and revealed that they are working together in an upcoming film. Initially, the working title was Swipe Right, Ma but as per film’s box office director, Direk Nuel Naval, they changed it to Family of Two (A Mother And Son Story), produced solely by CineKo Productions, screenplay by the award-winning, Mel Mendoza-Del Rosario.
Other ventures
Modeling and endorsements
Aside from being an actor, Alden Richards has also done modeling stints. In 2010, he ranked 4th on the list of Candy Magazine's "Celebrity Cuties" and had his earliest modeling gig at the Candy Fair held in Pasig.[114][115] Richards is a brand ambassador for a clothing brand along with co-actors JM De Guzman and Enrique Gil.[116][117] In July 2012, Richards, along with Bela Padilla, Kris Bernal, and Sarah Lahbati, appeared on the cover of MEGA Magazine dubbed as "GMA's new breed of rising talents".[118] Since then he has continued to appear in a number of magazines,[119] while featuring in several endorsements.[120]
Philanthropy
In 2014, he became an ambassador for Habitat for Humanity Philippines.[121] In January 2015, Richards celebrated his birthday by building homes alongside other volunteers and families involved with the non-profit organization in Payatas, Quezon City.[122] While in February 2016, as part of his post-birthday celebration, Richards visits Aeta community in Tarlac for an outreach program.[123] After the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013, Richards had been part of relief efforts initiated by GMA Network.[124] Richards was also part GMA Network's 2014 Christmas campaign, #ShareTheLove, where he chose children with cancer as his beneficiaries.[125]
He became Boardwalk's ambassador for Young Emerging Sociopreneurs (YES) in September 2015. The campaign is focused on encouraging students to earn money while still in school.[126] Richards also participated in Boardwalk's Share Campaign where part of the proceeds goes to charity.[127] Richards was part of Eat Bulaga! Sa Tamang Panahon concert on October 24, 2015, held at the Philippine Arena where 14 million pesos was raised for the program's AlDub Library Project.[128]
The GMA Network Christmas station ID theme song "MaGMAhalan Tayo Ngayong Pasko", performed by Alden, was released for online downloads. All proceeds went to the beneficiaries of GMA Kapuso Foundation's relief efforts for victims of Typhoon Lando.[129] Richards also appeared on a charity event for children with serious diseases[130] and a benefit concert entitled For The Love Of Mama on November 23, 2015, at the Mall of Asia Arena, where proceeds were used for building the Kristong Hari Parish Church in Quezon City.[131] On April 3, 2016, Richards joined other artists in a worship concert entitled Reborn: 1 Walker Worship Concert at the Mall of Asia Arena.[132] Organized by 1Walker Band headed by Regine Velasquez, the worship concert's proceeds were given to the Anawim Lay Missions Foundation, Inc.[132][133]
In August 2016, Richards announced that he plans to set up his own foundation to reach out to more people who are in need.[134]
In 2022, he established his own business venture Myriad Corporation, a company that organized the reunion concert of rock band Eraserheads entitled Huling El Bimbo, where Richards served as the co-producer.[135]
In July 2020, Richards was chosen as an ambassador of Bida Solusyon, an informative campaign formed by the Department of Health about the health protocols in preventing the spread of COVID-19. He is also the ambassador for the Philippines of End Tuberculosis, a campaign formed by the USAID.[136][137]
Aside from major award giving bodies, Richards was given recognition by other organizations and magazines. In the 1st Yahoo! Philippines OMG! Awards in 2011, he was recognized as the Amazing Male Newcomer, while in 2012 and 2013, the same award-giving body nominated him as the Breakthrough Actor of the Year but lost.[141][142] Richards together with Louise delos Reyes also got nominated in the Yahoo! Philippines OMG! Awards in 2013 as Love Team of the Year but they lost.[143]
During the MEG Top Choice Awards In 2012, the magazine MEG gave Richards the Top Fashion Forward Celeb (Male) award.[25] While in the Inquirer Bandera's 1st Bet ng Bandera Awards, he was given the title Male Celebrity of the Year.[144] As for the PUSH Awards 2015 by ABS-CBN Interactive, he was nominated Awesome OOTD King but did not win.[145][146][147] Stargate PeopleAsia magazine granted the title People of the Year (People's Choice Award) to Richards and Mendoza in 2016.[148][149][150]
In the 5th OFW Gawad Parangal in 2014, Richards became the Favorite Young Actor.[151] Being an endorser, he was given the Trinitian Awardee for Most Valuable Male Advertising Endorser during Platinum Stallion Awards (Awards for Advertising) in 2016.[152] The actor was also given a Makabatang Alagad ng Telebisyon (Child-friendly Artist on Television) seal by Anak TV in February 2016. During the 32nd PMPC Star Awards for Movies in 2016, he was nominated but lost the Darling of the Press award.[153] He also won Male TV Star of the Year and Male Stylish Star of the Year for 2016 and Best PEPTalk episode on PEPList Awards Year 3 given by Philippine Entertainment Portal.[154]
Eat Bulaga! is a Philippine television noontime variety show currently broadcast on TV5 and simulcast on RPTV. Originally hosted by Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon, collectively known as TVJ, with Chiqui Hollmann and Richie D'Horsie, the show premiered on July 30, 1979, at Radio Philippines Network.
Martina Eileen Hernandez delas Alas-Sibayan, known professionally as Ai-Ai delas Alas, is a Filipina singer, actress, and comedian. She is widely regarded as the country's "Queen of Comedy " of her generation for her comedic talent and best known for her role in the film Ang Tanging Ina (2003), which became a blockbuster hit. On account of the film's popularity, a television series spin-off was produced, as well as three sequels: Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat (2008), Ang Tanging Ina Mo (2010) and Enteng ng Ina Mo (2011), with delas Alas reprising her role. She also appeared in the comedy film Our Mighty Yaya, which premiered on May 10, 2017, through Regal Entertainment.
Paolo Elito Macapagal Ballesteros IV is a Filipino actor, comedian and drag queen. He has appeared in films and several TV shows, and he is currently one of the co-hosts of longtime noontime show Eat Bulaga! from 2001 until today, as well he is also the host of Drag Race Philippines.
Marian Rivera Gracia-Dantes is a Filipina actress, television host, model and entrepreneur. She is known for her portrayals of heroines and roles in romantic dramas. Her accolades include a FAMAS Award, five PMPC Star Awards for Television, seven Box Office Entertainment Awards, and six Anak TV Seal Awards, including nominations from Asian Television Awards and Metro Manila Film Festival. In 2020, Forbes Asia named her one of the most influential Filipino celebrities in Asia Pacific.
Ariel Pagtalonia Manalo, known professionally as Jose Manalo, is a Filipino actor, director, and comedian best known for appearing regularly on the noon-time variety show Eat Bulaga! on GMA Network and now on TV5. He is also known for his stand-up performances.
Walter James B. Bayola, popularly known as Wally Bayola, is a Filipino comedian and actor. He is best known for portraying Lola Nidora and other characters in the Kalyeserye portion of the noontime television variety show Eat Bulaga!. He appears alongside his co-hosts Jose Manalo and Paolo Ballesteros, the trio also known as JoWaPao, in the "Juan for All, All for Juan" segment of the said show.
Ryzza Mae de Guzman Dizon is a Filipina teen actress and television personality. She rose to prominence in 2012 when she won that year's edition of Eat Bulaga!'s Little Miss Philippines. She is currently the second youngest host in the variety show Eat Bulaga!
Norman Balbuena, better known by his stage name Boobay, is a Filipino actor, comedian and television host. He is best known for appearing in several GMA News and Public Affairs shows as a co-host. He was also regular in the award-winning comedy-game show Celebrity Bluff as a bluffer or gangnammm along with Edu Manzano, Brod Pete and host Eugene Domingo.
Nicomaine Dei Capili Mendoza-Atayde is a Filipina actress and television personality. She is best known for her viral Dubsmash videos and her role as Yaya Dub in the noontime reality show Eat Bulaga! segment "Kalyeserye", previously aired on GMA Network and worldwide via GMA Pinoy TV. Her rise to fame is often described as phenomenal and unconventional due to the unscripted forming of AlDub love team in Eat Bulaga! on July 16, 2015, where she was paired with Alden Richards. AlDub is a portmanteau of Richards' first name and Mendoza's character in "Kalyeserye".
AlDub was a love team which originated from the Kalyeserye portion of the "Juan for All, All for Juan" segment of the variety show Eat Bulaga! They were also called as the "phenomenal love team" due to their rise in popularity after they were accidentally paired on the July 16, 2015 episode of the Problem Solving portion of "Juan for All, All for Juan" which later became the first episode of Kalyeserye. AlDub was derived from a portmanteau of the tandem's character names in Kalyeserye, namely Filipino actor Alden Richards, who portrays a fictionalized version of himself, and Yaya Dub, portrayed by Dubsmash Queen personality and socialite actress Maine Mendoza, who initially does not talk and interacts through lip-syncing. which is now scandal on relationship.
Kalyeserye was a soap opera parody segment that was aired live on the Filipino noontime variety show Eat Bulaga! on GMA Network. The show-within-a-show, as it had evolved, focused on AlDub, the fictional couple pairing of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza's "Yaya Dub" character in which the two only communicate through lip-syncing to various pop songs and movie audio clips as well as written messages, and interact only on the show's split-screen frame. Richards is usually based in Broadway Centrum studio of Eat Bulaga! in Quezon City, Metro Manila while Mendoza travels around to a different external location.
My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore is a 2015 Filipino romantic comedy film directed by Jose Javier Reyes, starring Ai-Ai delas Alas and Vic Sotto with Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza. It is an official entry to the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival produced by Octo Arts Films, M-Zet Productions, APT Entertainment, GMA Pictures, and MEDA Productions. The film follows the love–hate relationship story between Vito Carillo (Sotto) and Corazon Talatala and the growing relationship between star-crossed lovers Dondi Talatala (Richards) and Anna Carillo (Mendoza).
Wish I May is the second extended play by Filipino actor and recording artist Alden Richards. It has 11 tracks and released under GMA Records on October 17, 2015. Upon the release of the album, it earned a gold record from PARI. It was launched at SM City North EDSA.
Sebastian Benedict Granfon Arumpac also known by his nicknames Baste Granfon and Bae-by Baste, is a Filipino child actor, television host, and singer. He was the youngest host in the roster of presenters of the longest-running noontime variety show Eat Bulaga!.
Imagine You and Me is a 2016 Philippine romantic comedy film directed by Mike Tuviera. The film stars Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza. The film was released on July 13, 2016, as AlDub's first anniversary offering, which happened on July 16, 2016, three days after the film was shown. It was screened primarily in the Philippines and also had screenings in other countries such as Canada, Italy, and the United States. The film follows the story of Andrew and Gara as their opposite beliefs cross paths in Italy.
Yaya Dub is a fictional character in the Kalyeserye portion of the "Juan for All, All for Juan" segment of Eat Bulaga! played by Maine Mendoza. Yaya Dub who first appeared in the Problem Solving portion of "Juan for All, All for Juan" on July 4, 2015 is the personal assistant or nanny to Lola Nidora and the love interest of the fictionalized version of Alden Richards. In the July 16, 2015 episode of Kalyeserye, the love team of Yaya Dub and Alden has been dubbed as AlDub. Yaya Dub as well as other characters of Kalyeserye were created by Jenny Ferre, the creative head of Eat Bulaga! Although the term "Kalyeserye" was coined by Joey de Leon.
Luzia Jannie Estrella Dy-Gonzales, widely known as Luane Dy and Luane G., is a Filipino showbiz television personality, model and actress. She is known for being the host of GMA Network's morning television show Unang Hirit where she, along with her co-hosts, received the Best Morning Show Hosts award during the 29th PMPC Star Awards for Television in 2015. She also presents showbiz news on Balitanghali and used to anchor the entertainment news segment Chika Minute on 24 Oras Weekend.
Love is... is a Philippine television film by Eat Bulaga! and was aired on October 21, 2017, at GMA Network without any commercial break. It was directed by Adolf Alix Jr. starring the AlDub love team of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza. The main plot of the television film drama revolves around the effects of clinical depression to a person. Eat Bulaga! also released the whole television film on its official YouTube channel under Creative Commons Attribution License and distributed by GMA Pictures.
"Tamang Panahon" was a benefit concert and a special episode of Eat Bulaga!, as well as the 87th episode of its "Kalyeserye" portion that aired live on television in the Philippines and other countries on October 24, 2015 from the Philippine Arena. "Tamang Panahon" highlighted the no-restrictions meeting of the AlDub love team of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza. The event experienced very high demand immediately after the concert's announcement, with ticket sales amounting to ₱14 million. All of the proceeds went to the construction of libraries that benefited schools in the Philippines and the Lumad.
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