Donna Cruz

Last updated

Donna Cruz
Born
Donna Cruz Yrastorza

(1977-02-14) February 14, 1977 (age 46)
Manila, Philippines
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actress
Years active1984–present
Spouse
Potenciano "Yong" Larrazabal III
(m. 1998)
Children3
Musical career
Origin Manila, Philippines
Genres
Instrument(s)
Labels
Website donnacruz.com/definitive/

Donna Cruz Yrastorza-Larrazabal (born February 14, 1977), professionally known as Donna Cruz (Tagalog pronunciation: [ˈkɾus] ), is a Filipino singer and actress. Since the middle of the 1990s, she has released 8 studio albums and also featured as an actress in local films. In addition she appeared on four soundtrack albums.

Contents

Biography

1988–1991: Early career beginnings and Donna

She was born on February 1977 in Manila, Philippines. As a child, Cruz joined pageants and singing competitions. Her first stint in showbiz was when she appeared as a finalist of Eat Bulaga!'s Little Miss Philippines child beauty pageant. She also had been declared champion of Bulilit Kampeon in 1988. She signed with Viva Records in 1989 and released her debut album Donna in 1991 at the age of 14. Her original single "Kapag Tumibok ang Puso" and her cover of Boy Mondragon's song "Rain" gained in popularity within OPM music.

1992–1994: Kurot sa Puso, Langit Na Naman and breakthrough as an actress

In 1992, Cruz joined German Moreno's That's Entertainment , a daily variety show that featured young and upcoming new talents. She released Kurot sa Puso in early 1993 and later that year starred in the movie Kadenang Bulaklak alongside Vina Morales, Ana Roces, Angelu de Leon and Nida Blanca. [1] She became part of the sitcoms Alabang Girls and Ober Da Bakod , both produced by VIVA Entertainment Group. In 1994, she released Langit Na Naman , her third studio album. It was in that same year that she starred in another drama produced by Viva, Pangako Ng Kahapon, together with Agot Isidro, Alice Dixson and Charito Solis.

1995–1996: Habang May Buhay

In 1995, the Viva Entertainment Group gave Cruz her lead role in the soap opera entitled Villa Quintana , opposite actor Keempee de Leon. She also starred in the films Campus Girls, Okey Si Ma'am, and Love Notes: The Movie. As a recording artist, she released her fourth album, Habang May Buhay , an album composed of love songs and featuring the single "Only Me and You". Before the year closed, Cruz joined actress Nora Aunor in the drama film, Muling Umawit ang Puso, for which she won her first acting award for Best Supporting Actress at the Metro Manila Film Festival.

In 1996, her second single "Habang May Buhay" was released as a tie-in with a romantic movie of the same name. Habang May Buhay was top-billed by Cruz, Ian de Leon, Candy Pangilinan and veteran actress Hilda Koronel. She also starred alongside Bong Revilla and Nanette Medved in the action romantic-comedy movie, Pag-Ibig Ko sa Iyo'y Totoo. Cruz recorded a duet with American singer Jason Everly, called "Wish", son of Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers in 1996. Later that year, Cruz starred in DoReMi together with Regine Velasquez and Mikee Cojuangco. By the end of 1996, Cruz released the holiday record Merry Christmas Donna which included the single "Muling Sumapit ang Pasko," written by Cruz's longtime collaborator Vehnee Saturno.

1997–1998: Pure Donna

In 1997, Cruz starred in Dahil Tanging Ikaw alongside Ian de Leon and Jao Mapa. Her album Pure Donna was also released and she hosted a musical special Pure Donna that was broadcast on GMA 7. The special won the Best Musical Special in the 1997 Aliw Awards. [2] Later that year, Cruz reunited with Jason Everly to star in the romantic-comedy film, Isang Tanong, Isang Sagot, which is her latest film to date. Also that same year, she joined Eat Bulaga! as a co-host and performer. She was also part of SOP , a Sunday musical variety show.

Cruz's last project before her marriage in September 1998 was in the tv series Growing Up where she had a supporting role to actress Angelu de Leon. A compilation named The Best of Donna was released to commemorate Cruz's ten year catalog with Viva Entertainment from 1989–1998.

1999–2004: Hulog Ng Langit and career hiatus

Cruz released her final album under Viva Records in 1999, entitled "Hulog ng Langit", which focused on love songs and lullabies. At age 22, she gave birth to a daughter and released "Ikaw Pala 'Yon" her final single under her then-current contract with Viva Entertainment Group.

In 2001, Viva Records released Donna Cruz Sings Her Greatest Hits and in November of that same year, she performed at the Philippine Advertising Congress Awards held in Cebu. After finishing her contract with Viva, she was able to graduate with degree in Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in Cebu Doctors University. [3] In 2003, she gave birth to a son and made a guest appearance in Bahay Mo Ba 'To? as Lynnette, reprising her role in Villa Quintana in 2004. In 2008, Cruz featured on the song "Kailanma'y Panatag", a song written by Ogie Alcasid and Nicole Tolentino, and performed the song in ASAP . [4]

In 2010, Cruz appeared as a celebrity contestant in Wowowee, and performed "I Can" with fellow celebrity contestants Dimples Romana and Nikki Valdez. A year later, Cruz appeared in the sitcom Daldalita with Ogie Alcasid and Manilyn Reynes where she played the role of Daldalita's mother. In that same year, Cruz performed on stage in GMA 7's Party Pilipinas singing her hit single, "Rain". [5]

2015–present: Now and Forever and return to the entertainment industry

In 2015, Cruz sang the Similac Gain School theme song, "Wonderful World". Months later, Cruz returned to the music scene signing her comeback album under Star Music in January 2016. She appeared on Tonight with Boy Abunda , Kris TV and ASAP Natin 'To to promote her latest album, Now and Forever .

Personal life

Donna Cruz Yrastorza was born on February 14, 1977, to parents Renato Yrastorza Half Spanish and Yolly Cruz. In February 1998, Cruz became engaged to Potenciano "Yong" Larrazabal III, an ophthalmologist from Cebu, they married in 1998, and have three children. [6] [7] [8]

Discography

Cruz has released eight studio albums, four soundtrack albums and three compilation albums. Cruz was signed to Viva Records between 1991-2000. In 2016, she signed with Star Music, and recorded one album since.

Studio albums

Soundtrack albums

Compilation albums

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNetwork
1988 Eat Bulaga's Little Miss Philippines Herself
RPN
1992–1994 Alabang Girls Bighani / Big Honey
ABC
1993 That's Entertainment Herself/host GMA Network
1993–1997 Ober Da Bakod Muning
1995Wishing for a SoulmateLibay
Hustisya
Laging Nasa Puso
1995–1997 Villa Quintana Lynette Quintana GMA Network
1995–1998 Eat Bulaga! Co-Host
1998 Growing Up Stephanie Acosta
1998–2000, 2016 ASAP Herself / Performer
2011 Party Pilipinas Guest GMA Network
Daldalita Carmela de Leon-Matias
2016 Tonight with Boy Abunda Herself / Guest ABS-CBN
Kris TV
Gandang Gabi, Vice!
2017 Full House Tonight Herself / Guest Performer

Film

YearMovieRole
1991Andrew Ford Medina: Huwag Kang GamolDonna
Darna Sally
1992Pangako Sa'yo
1993Pretty Boy
Ang Boyfriend Kong GamolDonna
Row 4: Ang Baliktorians Dory Pangilinan
ManchichiritchitDonna
Tom & Jerry: Hindi Kaming Hayop
1994Pinagbiyak na Bunga Kristine
Kadenang Bulaklak Violy Abolencia
Pintsik Gilda
Ober Da Bakod: The MovieMuning
Pangako ng Kahapon Belinda Tavera
1995 Campus Girls Georgie
Okey Si Ma'am!Lailani Aranas
Love Notes: The MovieDitas
Muling Umawit ang Puso Noemi Salazar
1996Habang May BuhayPia
Pag-ibig Ko Sayo'y Totoo Dulce Lopez
DoReMi Donette Legaspi
1997Dahil Tanging IkawErica and Cecile
Isang Tanong, Isang SagotRizelle

Awards

Awit Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResult
1992HerselfBest New Female Recording ArtistWon
1995"Only Me and You"Best Ballad RecordingWon

Film Academy of the Philippines

YearNominee / workAwardResult
1994Pangako ng KahaponBest Supporting ActressNominated

Star Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResult
1994Pangako ng KahaponBest Supporting ActressNominated

Metro Manila Film Festival

YearNominee / workAwardResult
1995 Muling Umawit ang Puso Best Supporting Actress Won

Aliw Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResult
1997Pure DonnaBest Musical SpecialWon

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<i>Kurot sa Puso</i> 1993 studio album by Donna

Kurot sa Puso is the second studio album by Filipino singer Donna Cruz, released in the Philippines in 1993 by Viva Records. It was originally released on compact disc and cassette tape and is the last album by Cruz to be released on vinyl. The album was digitally released by Viva Records on iTunes on April 2006.

<i>Langit Na Naman</i> 1994 studio album by Donna Cruz

Langit Na Naman is the third studio album by Filipino singer Donna Cruz, released in the Philippines in 1994 by Viva Records. It spawned the cover single "Langit na Naman" which was also in the soundtrack of Cruz' 1995 movie, Love Notes: The Movie. The album was digitally released by Viva Records on iTunes in January 2002.

<i>Habang May Buhay</i> (album) 1995 studio album by Donna Cruz

Habang May Buhay is the fourth studio album by Filipino singer Donna Cruz, released in the Philippines in 1995 by Viva Records. The album is known for being the fastest-selling OPM album in the nineties, earning a certification of four-times platinum six months after its release. Habang May Buhay was digitally released by Viva Records on iTunes in January 2002.

<i>Pure Donna</i> 1997 studio album by Donna Cruz

Pure Donna is the sixth studio album by Filipino singer Donna Cruz, released in the Philippines in 1997 by Viva Records. It was certified platinum a week after it was released, and was certified three-times platinum. The album release coincided with the celebration of Cruz's twentieth birthday.

<i>The Best of Donna</i> 1998 compilation album by Donna Cruz

The Best of Donna is the first compilation album by Filipino singer Donna Cruz, released in the Philippines in 1998 by Viva Records. The album included majority of Cruz's hit singles, as well as "Muling Umawit ang Puso", the theme song from her movie with veteran actress Nora Aunor. Several hit songs including "Boy ", "Kurot sa Puso", "Langit Na Naman" and "Habang May Buhay" were notably absent from the album for reasons unknown.

<i>Hulog ng Langit</i> 1999 studio album by Donna Cruz

Hulog Ng Langit is the seventh studio album by Filipino singer Donna Cruz, released in the Philippines in September 1999 by Viva Records. It was released as Cruz's final album under her contract with Viva Entertainment. Cruz did not record another album until Now and Forever in 2016.

<i>Now and Forever</i> (Donna Cruz album) 2016 studio album by Donna Cruz

Now and Forever is the eighth studio album by Filipino singer Donna Cruz, released in the Philippines in 2016 by Star Music. The album marked Cruz's return to the OPM music industry after being absent for more than fifteen years. It is her first studio album released under Star Music.

References

  1. 1 2 "Donna — The young star who's everywhere". Manila Standard . Kamahalan Publishing Corp. February 9, 1993. p. 19. Retrieved November 26, 2021. Donna [...] is now ready to release her second album 'Kurot sa Puso', [sic] while wrapping up work for the movie 'Ang Boyfriend Kong Gamol'...
  2. "Donna Cruz". telebisyon.net. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012.
  3. "Donna Cruz returns to the music scene, signs with Star Music". Rappler.
  4. "PHOTOS: 90s OPM icon Donna Cruz, happy to be back on ASAP | ABS-CBN Entertainment". Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  5. "Donna Cruz on making a showbiz comeback: "Basta hindi maaapektuhan yung panahon ko para sa mga anak at asawa ko, sa pamilya ko."". Pep.ph. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  6. "PHNO: SHOWBIZ CHATTER". Newsflash.org. Archived from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  7. "Donna as Mama". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  8. "The private world of Donna & Yong". The Philippine Star.