Michael Alexander Alvarez Pamular, better known by his stage name Josh Santana (born 18 June 1983), is a Filipino former television actor and singer.

Early life

Santana was born on 18 June 1983 in

Metro Manila Metropolitan Manila (often shortened as Metro Manila; fil, Kalakhang Maynila), officially the National Capital Region (NCR; fil, link=no, Pambansang Punong Rehiyon), is the capital region, seat of government and one of three List of metrop ...

, Philippines to Spanish-Filipino parents Ramón Delgado Pamular (judge) and Sonia Magno Álvarez. He rose to popularity in 2003 as the male

love interest ''Gli Innamorati'' (, meaning "The Lovers") were stock characters within the theatre style known as commedia dell'arte, who appeared in 16th century Italy. In the plays, everything revolved around the Lovers in some regard. These dramatic and pos ...

Carol Banawa Carol Claire Aguilar Banawa-Crisostomo (born March 4, 1981), better known in the Philippines as Carol Banawa, is a US-based Filipina singer, actress, and nurse. She is a Star Magic Batch 4 alumna. Early life and career Raised in Batangas, she ...

in the TV series ''

Bituin ''Bituin'' (International title: ''Star'') is a 2002 musical Philippine soap opera that was aired by ABS-CBN from September 23, 2002 to May 23, 2003 replacing ''Pangako Sa 'Yo'' and was replaced by ''Basta't Kasama Kita''. It starred Carol Banawa ...

''. It was from the character he played in ''Bituin'' where he took the name Josh Santana.

Beginnings

Josh Santana obtained his

college degree An academic degree is a qualification awarded to students upon successful completion of a course of study in higher education, usually at a college or university. These institutions commonly offer degrees at various levels, usually including unde ...

at the

Far Eastern University Far Eastern University (Filipino language, Filipino: ''Pamantasan ng Malayong Silanganan''), also referred to by its acronym FEU, is a Private university, private non-sectarian Liberal arts college, liberal arts university in Manila, Philippines ...

(FEU),

Manila Manila ( , ; fil, Maynila, ), officially the City of Manila ( fil, Lungsod ng Maynila, ), is the capital of the Philippines, and its second-most populous city. It is highly urbanized and, as of 2019, was the world's most densely populate ...

. He represented his university in an

International student International students, or foreign students, are students who undertake all or part of their tertiary education in a country other than their own and move to that country for the purpose of studying. In 2019, there were over 6 million internati ...

Congress held in

Kuala Lumpur , anthem = '' Maju dan Sejahtera'' , image_map = , map_caption = , pushpin_map = Malaysia#Southeast Asia#Asia , pushpin_map_caption = , coordinates = , su ...

, Malaysia in 2005 and in 2006, was elected as the President of the FEU-Central

Student Council A student council (also known as a student union, associated student body or student parliament) is an administrative organization of students in different educational institutes ranging from elementary schools to universities and research or ...

. He graduated in 2007 and named with 12 others as an Outstanding Senior Student out of 6000 FEU graduates of 2007. After his graduation, he was named Dangal ng Kabataan awardee (or Honor to the Youth) by the Pampelikulang Samahan ng mga Dalub-guro.

Acting

In ''

'', Josh Santana plays the role of a very popular Filipino actor-singer from whom Melody Sandoval (played by

) seeks help in launching her singing career. However, he despises her having come from a poor provincial family. Upon realising the truth about his dwindling singing career, after his fans found out that he had a son, who was kept away from media exposure, died in an accident, he was left with only one option, to accept the offer to have Melody as a guest in his concert. By then, Melody has already become a more popular personality. The world turns around, and this time it is Josh who needs help from Melody, who sings with a crystal clear and angelic voice. They both get a chance to work with each other and eventually fall in love. ''Bituin'' soon ended following the rumours that its senior lead character

Nora Aunor Nora Cabaltera Villamayor (born May 21, 1953), professionally known as Nora Aunor (), is a Filipino actress, recording artist, and film producer. Aunor has also appeared in several stage plays, television shows and concerts. She is known as Ph ...

refused to comply with the agreement specified in her contract signed with

ABS-CBN ABS-CBN (an initialism of its two predecessors' names, Alto Broadcasting System and Chronicle Broadcasting Network) is a Television in the Philippines, Philippine Commercial broadcasting, commercial broadcast broadcast network, network tha ...

Star Cinema.

Singing

After ''Bituin'', Santana focused on his singing career and eventually he was given another shot when he recorded the

theme song Theme music is a musical composition that is often written specifically for radio programming, television shows, video games, or films and is usually played during the title sequence, opening credits, closing credits, and in some instances at so ...

of ''

Basta't Kasama Kita ''Basta't Kasama Kita'' (International title: ''As Long As I'm With You'' / ) is a Philippine action drama which was aired on ABS-CBN primetime series from May 26, 2003, to September 10, 2004, replacing ''Bituin''. The series stars Robin Padill ...

'', followed by a translation of ''Qing Fei Di Yi'' to ''Can't Help Fallin' Into You'' for the theme song of ''

Meteor Garden Meteor Garden may refer to: * ''Meteor Garden'' (2001 TV series), Taiwanese TV adaptation of Japanese shōjo manga series ''Boys Over Flowers'' ** ''Meteor Garden II'', 2002 sequel of the Taiwanese series * ''Meteor Garden'' (2018 TV series), main ...

'', the popular song was originally sung by

Taiwanese Taiwanese may refer to: * Taiwanese language, another name for Taiwanese Hokkien * Something from or related to Taiwan ( Formosa) * Taiwanese aborigines, the indigenous people of Taiwan * Han Taiwanese, the Han people of Taiwan * Taiwanese people, ...

pop singer

Harlem Yu Harlem Yu (; born 28 July 1961) is a Taiwanese singer-songwriter, television host and businessman. He is particularly well-known for singing the theme song, ''Qing Fei De Yi'', for the 2001 television drama, '' Meteor Garden''. He made a cameo i ...

. Josh left show business after he released the theme song of the teen-oriented TV programme ''

Qpids ''Qpids'' is a Philippine reality love-team search which aired on ABS-CBN from May 23 to September 25, 2005. The show featured nine loveteams who competed through races and acting challenges. At the end of each challenge, the weakest loveteam wa ...

'' titled ''Dito sa Puso ko'', where he featured the then new discovery

Nikki Gil Monica Pauline "Nikki" Santos Gil-Albert (; born August 23, 1987) is a Filipino singer, actress, host, model, and video jockey. She is known for being part of the afternoon remake of '' Carlo J. Caparas' Pieta'' (2008–2009) and, in 2009, for ...

Discography

''Josh Santana''

In 2004, Santana released a 10-track self-tiled album
The album is described as "Original" containing: *"Hindi Ko Kaya" (Lyrics & Music by: Aaron Paul Del Rosario/Arranged by: Paolo Zarate) *"Muli" (Lyrics & Music by: Rhoen Del Monte & Romwell/Arranged by: Paolo Zarate) *"Mahal Na Mahal Ko Siya" (Lyrics & Music by:

Gary Valenciano Edgardo Jose Santiago Valenciano (, born August 6, 1964), also known as Gary V., is a Filipino singer-songwriter, dancer, musician, actor, music producer and television host. Valenciano has released 39 albums, and won the Awit Award for "Bes ...

/Arranged by: Paolo Zarate) *"Nasaan Ka?" (Lyrics & Music by: Jonathan Manalo/Arranged by: Paolo Zarate) *"Maibabalik Ko Ba?" (Lyrics & Music by: Marc Bryan R. Adona/Arranged by: Paolo Zarate) *"Mahal Naman Kita" (Lyrics & Music by: Marizen Yaneza/Arranged by: Gino "Blooze" Cruz) *"Can't Help Fallin' Into You or "Biyahe" (Tagalog Adaptation) (Lyrics & Music by: Chang Keat Siong/Arranged by: Jun Tamayo) *"Pagkat Sa Pangarap (Lyrics & Music by: Larry Hermoso/Arranged by: Elmer Blancaflor) *"Ikaw Lang Pala" (Lyrics & Music by: Joanthan Florido/Arranged by: Arnold Cabalza) *"Journey Of A Smile" (Lyrics & Music by: Markel Luna/Arranged by: Paolo Zarate) Note: Some of his songs were compiled with Divo Bayer's and King's songs into an album titled Solo.

''Josh Santana: Eres Tú''

In March 2009, Santana released a 10-track album entitled ''Josh Santana: Eres Tú''."Josh Santana back with Eres Tu"
(3 May 2009). ''The Philippine Star''. 11 May 2015. The album is described as "Fil-Hispano", containing: *Three original songs: **"Kahit Minsan Lang" (composed by Marlon Silva) **"Magpakailanman" (composed Marlon Silva) **"Estar Contigo" (composed by Josh Santana himself) *Covers / interpretation: **"Historia de un Amor" (all Spanish) **" Eres Tú" (all Spanish) **" Hate That I Love You" (Spanish/English) **"Eres Mío" (Spanish/Tagalog)" **"Dreaming of You" (in cover, originally by Selena) **"I Don't Wanna Lose You Now (in cover, originally by Gloria Estefan) *An alternative version of the all-time Spanish favorite "Eres Tu" The album was produced by Zachary Cordero Barlahan and Dennis García Arce.

Filmography

Television

ASAP Natin 'To ''All-Star Sunday Afternoon Party'' (''ASAP''; ), currently branded as ''ASAP Natin 'To'' (), is a Philippine television variety show produced by ABS-CBN Entertainment. Originally hosted by Martin Nievera, Pops Fernandez, Ariel Rivera and Day ...

as Himself/Performer (

; 2002–2006)

References

External links

Josh Santana MySpace website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Santana, Josh Star Magic 1983 births Living people Filipino male television actors 21st-century Filipino male singers Filipino pop singers Singers from Metro Manila Male actors from Metro Manila Far Eastern University alumni