Ariel Rivera

For the album, see Ariel Rivera (album).

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Jimenez and the surname or paternal family name is Rivera.

Jose Ariel Jimenez Rivera, professionally known as Ariel Rivera (Tagalog: [ʔaɾˈjɛl ɾiˈbɛɾa]; born September 1, 1966), is a Filipino singer, songwriter and actor.

Ariel Rivera
Rivera in 2023
Background information
Birth name	Jose Ariel Jimenez Rivera
Born	(1966-09-01) September 1, 1966 (age 58)
Origin	Manila, Philippines
Genres	OPM pop R&B
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter, actor
Instrument	Vocals
Years active	1989–present
Labels	Sony-BMG, Musiko

Rivera was born in Manila, Philippines but has since migrated with his family to Canada. He has since become a successful singer-songwriter, actor, and Aliw award-winning artist. He is dubbed as "Kilabot ng Kolehiyala", a title formerly bestowed upon Hajji Alejandro, a popular Filipino singer in the 1970s.

Career

Music career

Rivera was a graduate of architecture in Canada and he was also an undergraduate of Psychology before his singing talent was accidentally discovered by Vehnee Saturno while he was on holiday in the Philippines singing at a cousin's wedding.^[1] In 1989, Musiko Records & BMG Records (Pilipinas) Inc. (now known as Sony Music Philippines) signed Rivera to their label. His self-titled debut album was released after two years. The first single, "Sana Kahit Minsan" was a No. 1 pop-r&b crossover hit. The album went 3× platinum. In 1992, he quickly released his second album, Simple Lang. This album also went 3× platinum.^[2]

In 1994, Rivera began recording new material for his next album, Photograph. Photograph was released in 1995. His album reached Gold status in the Philippines. Due to his acting commitments, he wasn't able to release albums as frequently as he did before, but in 2008, he released Once Again, which continued nine original songs and covers of "Kung Ako na Lang Sana" and Michael Bolton's "Go the Distance".^[1][3]

Acting career

In 1992, Rivera tried acting. His first starring role in the film Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal earned him a Best Supporting Actor award in the 1992 Metro Manila Film Festival. He landed a lead role opposite Sharon Cuneta in 1993's "Ikaw". He also co-starred in Isang Sulok Ng Mga Pangarap (1994); Anghel Na Walang Langit (1995); Minsan May Pangarap: The Guce Family Story (1995); May Nagmamahal Sa'yo (1996), Ikaw Pala Ang Mahal Ko (1997) and Bata, bata ... Pa'no Ka Ginawa? (1998). In 1999, he played the title character of Rama in the staging of Rama at Sita – The Musical by SK Entertainment at the University Theatre. For most of the 2000s, he acted in GMA teleseryes.^[1]

Personal life

Rivera has two older siblings (Leo and Gemma), and two younger siblings (Orven and Marvin).

He married actress Gelli de Belen, on December 22, 1997, in Santuario de San José, and both did a film released five months before their marriage entitled "Ikaw Pala Ang Mahal Ko". The couple has two sons: Joaquín Andrés (born January 29, 1999) and Julio Alessandro (born November 6, 2000).^[4]

Albums

Main article: Ariel Rivera discography

• Ariel Rivera 3× platinum (300,000 copies)
• Simple Lang 3× platinum (300,000 copies)
• Photograph Gold (50,000 copies)
• Paskong Walang Katulad Gold (50,000 copies)
  • Paskong Walang Katulad, the special Ariel Rivera Deluxe Christmas album^[5] (released in 2009)
• Getting to Know Platinum (100,000 copies)
• Aawitin Ko Na Lang Gold (50,000 copies)
• In My Life 2× platinum (200,000 copies)
• Platinum Hits 5× platinum (500,000 copies)
• Once Again^[3] (released in 2008)

Collaborations

• Ryan Cayabyab Silver Album (Sony BMG Music Philippines, Inc., 1996)
• The Best of Love Duets (Viva Collection Forever) (Viva Records, 1998)
• Something More (JesCom Foundation, Inc., 2001)
• Signature Hits OPM's Best Vol. 2 (Viva Records Corp. & Vicor Music Corp., 2009)

Awards

• Best New Male Artist- Awit Awards, 1991
• Best Performance by a New Male Recording Artist- 1992
• Best Supporting Actor – Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal, Metro Manila Film Festival, 1992^[6]
• Music Video of the Year- Tunay Na Ligaya, 1997
• Best Vocal Performance of the Year by a Duet/Group- I Don't Love You Anymore with Lea Salonga, 1999
• Outstanding Lead Actor- Forever in my Heart, 2nd Golden Screen Awards, 2005
• Best Actor- Parola, Bahaghari Awards

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role
2021	Love is Color Blind	Fidel[7]
2019	Damaso[8]
2019	Ang Sikerto Ng Piso[9][10]	Ronnie
2017	Love You to the Stars and Back	Mika's father[11]
2015	Everyday I Love You	Dr. Rex "Anthony" Madrigal
2014	Shake, Rattle & Roll XV[12]	Alberto
2009	Padre De Pamilya	Joselito Mirasol[13]
1998	Bata, Bata… Pa'no Ka Ginawa?[14]	Raffy de Lara
1997	Ikaw Pala Ang Mahal Ko[10]	Tonyboy Balmaceda
1996	May Nagmamahal Sa'yo[15]	Nestor
1995	Jessica Alfaro Story[16]
	Minsan May Pangarap: The Guce Family Story	Aldo Guce[17]
1992	Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal[18]	David

Television

Year	Title	Role	Network
2024–2025	Shining Inheritance	Tony Villarazon	GMA Network
2023	Can't Buy Me Love	Raul	Kapamilya Channel / A2Z / TV5
2022	The Fake Life	Onats Villamor†[19]	GMA Network
2021	Unloving U	Henry Acosta	iWantTFC[20]
2020	Lunch Out Loud	Himself / Judge of Kantrabaho[21]	TV5
	Maalaala Mo Kaya: Drawing	Rey	Kapamilya Channel
	A Soldier's Heart	Gen. Victor Mondejar	ABS-CBN/Kapamilya Channel
2019–2020	Sandugo	PC/MSgt. Eugene Reyes†	ABS-CBN
2019	Ipaglaban Mo: Caregiver	Mario Garcia
	Maalaala Mo Kaya: Jersey	Abner
2017–2018	Hanggang Saan	Jacob Montecillo (antagonist)
2017	Sunday PinaSaya	Himself/Guest Performer	GMA Network
	Mulawin vs. Ravena	Panabon
2016–2017	Hahamakin ang Lahat	Nelson Solano / Alfred Benitez
2016	Born for You	Mike Sebastian	ABS-CBN
2015–2016	Doble Kara	Ishmael Suarez
2015	Maalaala Mo Kaya: Sapatos	Roel
2014–2015	Bagito	Gilbert Medina
2014	Maalaala Mo Kaya: Marriage Contract	Leo Bautista
2013–2014	Maria Mercedes	Santiago Del Olmo
2013	Maalaala Mo Kaya: Saranggola	Eddy
2012–2013	Ina, Kapatid, Anak	Julio Marasigan
2012	Maalaala Mo Kaya: Flash Cards	Fidel
	E-Boy	Gabriel Villareal
	Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin	Maurice Del Castillo
2011	Ikaw ay Pag-Ibig	Arnel
	Maalaala Mo Kaya: Tap Dancing Shoes	Luciano Mata
	Mula sa Puso[22]	Don Fernando Pereira
2010–2011	Inday Wanda	Daddy Lee	TV5
2010	Sine Novela: Ina, Kasusuklaman Ba Kita?	Daniel Bustamante	GMA Network
2009	Rosalinda	Alfredo Del Castillo
2008—2009	Luna Mystika	Simon / Ybarra
2007–2008	Carlo J. Caparas' Kamandag	Abdon Serrano (antagonist)
2007	Fantastic Man	Danny / Tadtad (antagonist)
2006–2007	Atlantika	Barracud (antagonist)
2006	Now and Forever: Duyan	Mateo
2005–2006	Sugo	Samuel
2005	Ang Mahiwagang Baul
2004–2005	Forever in My Heart	Michael Bernabe
2004	Magpakailanman: The Willy Garte Story	Willy Garte
2003–2004	Narito ang Puso Ko	Amoroso San Victores
1999–2001	Saan Ka Man Naroroon	Angelo Cabrera (antagonist)	ABS-CBN
1998–1999	Mula sa Puso	Rafael Buencamino
1995–2003, 2025–present	ASAP	Main Host / Performer
1990–1992	Manilyn! Live		IBC
1989–1995	Sa Linggo nAPO Sila		ABS-CBN

References

1. Salterio, Leah C. (January 4, 2009). "Ariel in his element". Philstar.com. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
2. "Film Academy of the Philippines » ARIEL RIVERA". August 9, 2016. Archived from the original on August 9, 2016. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
3. "A busy Christmas for Backroom artists". Philippine Star. December 19, 2008. Retrieved May 10, 2009.
4. Miralles, Nitz (May 3, 2007). "Ariel Rivera and family migrating to Canada in 2015" (in Tagalog). Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved May 10, 2009.
5. "Ariel Rivera releases 16-track album Paskong Walang Katulad". Philippine Entertainment Portal. December 10, 2009. Retrieved February 16, 2010.
6. "Lea's Leading Men Cop Mmff Awards". Manila Standard. December 28, 1992. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
7. Hawson, Fred (March 3, 2022). "Netflix review: Belle Mariano is refreshing to watch in 'Love is Color Blind'". ABS CBN News. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
8. "Marlo Mortel umamin sa nakaraan nila ni Morissette; dumepensa sa 'walkout scandal'". INQUIRER.net (in Tagalog). November 17, 2019. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
9. "Ariel Rivera and Gelli de Belen Reunite In "Ang Sikreto Ng Piso"". Orange Magazine. January 13, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
10. "Ariel Rivera, hindi kumportableng pinapanood ang sarili sa screen". PEP.ph. December 30, 2018. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
11. Hawson, Fred (September 1, 2017). "Review: Julia, Joshua shine in 'Love You to the Stars and Back'". ABS CBN News. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
12. "SNEAK PEEK: Shake, Rattle & Roll XV: Ahas". PEP.ph. December 16, 2014. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
13. "Ariel Rivera stars in indie film OK'd by Catholic bishops". ABS-CBN News. April 14, 2009. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
14. Gatdula, Leah Salterio (February 21, 2000). "Robin Padilla and Jolina Magdangal in raucous teamup". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
15. "Boom For Backroom". Manila Standard. December 31, 1996. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
16. Salterio, Leah (August 21, 2002). "Cory Quirino kidnapping soon to be a movie". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
17. "Learning to like Ariel Rivera". Manila Standard. April 27, 1995. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
18. "Lea nominated best actress". Manila Standard. December 19, 1992. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
19. "Ariel Rivera, Sid Lucero, and Beauty Gonzalez uncover the truth in Afternoon Prime series 'The Fake Life'". GMA News Online. June 3, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
20. E, Baby (February 10, 2021). "Maja, may napatunayan tungkol kay Heart". Philstar.com. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
21. Gabinete, Jojo (November 9, 2021). "Ariel Rivera, umalis na ng TV5 noontime show Lunch Out Loud". PEP.ph (in Tagalog). Retrieved February 4, 2024.
22. PEP.ph. "JM De Guzman, Lauren Young, and Enrique Gil will lead new cast of Mula sa Puso | PEP.ph: The Number One Site for Philippine Showbiz". PEP.ph. Retrieved March 7, 2012.