Maricris Garcia

In this Philippine name for married women, the birth middle name or maternal family name is Yu, the birth surname or paternal family name is Garcia, and the marital name is Cruz.

Maria Cristina "Maricris" Yu Garcia-Cruz (Tagalog: [mɐɾiˈkɾis gaɾˈsɪa ˈkɾus]; born September 26, 1987) is a Filipino singer and actress. She came to prominence after winning the third season of Pinoy Pop Superstar. She is the Philippines' Divine Siren.

Maricris Garcia-Cruz
Garcia in 2009
Background information
Birth name	Maria Cristina Yu Garcia
Born	(1987-09-26) September 26, 1987 (age 37) Caloocan, Philippines
Genres	P-Pop, R&B, OPM
Occupation(s)	Singer, actress
Years active	2003–present
Labels	GMA Records

Early life and education

Maricris Garcia was born as Maria Cristina Yu Garcia on September 26, 1987, in Caloocan, Philippines. She studied tourism at the La Consolacion College in Caloocan.^[1]

Career

Garcia on Eat Bulaga! "BoxSing" Challenge Accepted in 2016.

She first auditioned in the first year of Pinoy Pop Superstar year but did not become a finalist. Two years later, she won with her rendition of Barry Manilow's "One Voice" at the 2007 Grand Finale of Pinoy Pop Superstar, held in Araneta Coliseum. Thus, she was awarded as the 3rd Pinoy Pop Superstar champion.^[2] Her voice is distinctly similar to the Divine Diva Zsa Zsa Padilla's voice, so she has been given the title of the "Divine Princess".^[3]

Personal life

On December 16, 2016, Garcia married TJ Cruz.^[4] In May 2020, Garcia announced via Instagram that she is expecting her first child.^[5] Their daughter was born in January 2021.

Discography

Albums

• Pinoy Pop Superstar Year 3 Grand Contenders' Album
  • Track 4: Beautiful Disaster (written by Rebecca Johnson & Matthew Wilder)
• Mga Awit Kapuso (Best Of GMA TV Themes) Volume 4
  • Track 5: Mahal Kita (written by Daniel Tan)
• Mahal Kita
• Pangako ng Kailanman

Singles

• Kahit Isang Saglit (revival from Martin Nievera)
• Bakit Ikaw Pa Rin (revival from Jaya)
• With You

Soundtracks

• Nang Dahil Sa Iyo (from Mga Mata ni Anghelita)
• Mahal Kita (from MariMar)
• Kung Sana Bukas (from Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita)
• Kung Alam Mo Lang (from Kakambal ni Eliana)
• Pinakamamahal (from The Borrowed Wife)
• Ibibigay Ko Ang Lahat (from The Half Sisters)
• Lihim (from Ang Lihim ni Annasandra)
• Nasaan (with Aicelle Santos) (from Beautiful Strangers)
• Iniibig Kita (from MariMar)
• Ako'y Mahalin (from Destiny Rose)
• Ako na Lang Ang Bibitaw (from Koreanovela series Carmina)
• Magkaibang Mundo (with Ralph King) (from Magkaibang Mundo)
• Natatanging Pag-ibig (from Sinungaling Mong Puso)
• Di Malilimot (from Someone to Watch Over Me)
• Pangarap (from Legally Blind)
• Destiny originally sung by Lyn (from My Love from the Star)
• Huwag Kang Papatay (from Ika-5 Utos)
• Tao Lang (from Pamilya Roces)
• Ganito Ako (from Dragon Lady)
• Walang Ganti (from Bihag)
• Bakit Siya? (with Aicelle Santos) (from The Better Woman)
• Kahit Ganun Pa Man (from Magkaagaw)
• Bukas Ay Para Sa Akin (from Artikulo 247)
• Sagot Sa Dalangin (from Abot-Kamay na Pangarap)
• Dito Ka Lang (from In My Heart)

Filmography

Television

Year	Title	Role
2007	Pinoy Pop Superstar: Year 3[6]	Herself
2007–10	SOP Rules
2008	Ligaw na Bulaklak	Maria Cristina
2010–13	Party Pilipinas	Herself/host
2013	Mga Basang Sisiw	Cecilia "Cecille" Reyes
2013–15	Sunday All Stars	Herself
2014–15	Yagit	Cece Ortega-Guison
2015–16	Marimar	Natalia Montenegro
2016–17	Someone to Watch Over Me	Monique
2017	My Love from the Star	Shanel Luz-Meneses
2018	The Cure	Josie
2018–19	Asawa Ko, Karibal Ko	Allison "Alice" Bravante
	Studio 7	Herself
2022–present	All-Out Sundays

Contemporaries

• Jona, Pinoy Pop Superstar Year 1's Grand Winner
• Brenan Espartinez, Pinoy Pop Superstar Year 1's 1st Runner-up
• Gerald Santos, Pinoy Pop Superstar Year 2's Grand Winner
• Aicelle Santos, Pinoy Pop Superstar Year 2's 1st Runner-up
• Bryan Termulo, Pinoy Pop Superstar Year 3's 1st Runner-up

Awards

• 3rd Pinoy Pop Superstar Grand Champion (June 2007)
• Best New Female Recording Artist in 1st PMPC Star Awards for Music (October 29, 2009)

Trivia

• She is a GMA Network and GMA Records contract star.
• She sang Mahal Kita, one of Marimar's theme songs.
• She sang the final station ID of Q-11, with Geoff Taylor until now defunct in 2011.
• Her first music video was "Kahit Isang Saglit" in which Dennis Trillo appeared.
• Her song Mahal Kita was originally sung by the Pinoy Pop Superstar Year 2 Grand Champion Gerald Santos and revived by Maricris Garcia and became the love theme of Marimar
• She was part of a trio group named La Diva wherein her co-singers were Aicelle Santos, Jonalyn Viray.
• The "La Diva" sang the Philippine National Anthem during the Pacquiao-Cotto fight last November 15, 2009.

References

1. Ramos, Arnel (September 20, 2008). "Maricris Garcia: Singing with her heart". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
2. "Maricris Garcia is new 'Pinoy Pop Superstar' champ". GMA News Online. June 3, 2007. Archived from the original on August 14, 2024. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
3. Torregoza, Hannah L. (May 18, 2018). "At last!". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on August 14, 2024. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
4. Ilaya, Felix. "LOOK: Maricris Garcia and TJ Cruz get married". GMA Network. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
5. Iglesias, Iza (October 14, 2020). "Maricris Garcia on being a first time-mom". The Manila Times. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
6. "Philippine Entertainment Portal | Music | "Pinoy Pop Superstar" crowns Maricris Garcia as its new champion". Archived from the original on February 3, 2009. Retrieved February 25, 2008.

External links

• Maricris Garcia at IMDb
• Maricris Garcia at Sparkle GMA Artist Center