Giancarlo "Gian" Alzate MagdangalGuy with a Big Heart Philippine Idol features section (; born November 18, 1981Gian Magdangal Contestant Profile Philippine Idol official website), is a Filipino singer, performer, theater and television actor. He is a former boy band member of 17:28. he rose to prominence as one of the runners-up of Philippine Idol in 2006.
He is a cousin of actress and fellow singer Jolina Magdangal.
Biography
Early life and career Magdangal was born in Parañaque, and claims that he started to sing when he was 2 years old, as he was singing lullabies to his grandmother. He grew up listening to Broadway musicals, Stevie Wonder, Boyz II Men, and Brian McKnight. Seeing his potential as a singer, he was sent to undergo voice lessons at the St. Scholastica's College Conservatory of Music. He also received vocal training from Trumpets Playshop, Sweet Plantado, Mon Faustino, Audie Gemora, Freddie Santos, and Carlo Orosa.Gian and Jan Face-off ABC-5 official website, features section
Magdangal's early musical exposure was during high school in La Salle Green Hills when he became part of the Kundirana. It was there where he realized how singing can touch and change lives.Web Exclusive: Interview with Gian Magdangal before the Grand Finals Night Philippine Idol features section During his stint in Kundirana, he perfected his craft in music while still balancing a busy lifestyle as a stage actor in his school's drama club. He was also a member of Tiples de Sto. Domingo, an all-boys choir based in Quezon City.The sound of Tiples Philippine Daily Inquirer, September 2, 2007 (accessed November 5, 2007)Angelic voices for La Naval Inquirer Mobile, October 1, 2007 (accessed November 5, 2007)
While in college at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, taking up Business Administration with a major in Computer Application, Magdangal became part of a boy band quartet known as 17:28, which was formed by Gemora, along with his college friends. The group had their share of success compiling two albums under Star Music and Viva Records (wherein there were only three member left). One of their songs, "Sukob Na", became a rainy season jingle for ABS-CBN. After three years, the group decided to disband with Magdangal being the only active musician. He formed a band "Gian with Industriya".
After graduating from college in 2003, Magdangal joined Trumpets Music Academy, a company which produced numerous theater plays in the metro in which he gained more exposure in acting. His theater credentials include the musicals Footloose,"Footloose the Musical" on stage from Sept. 2-25, at Meralco Theater Manila Bulletin, August 30, 2005 (accessed November 5, 2007) The Little Mermaid, and Once On This Island.A phenomenal tale at 'The Island' Manila Bulletin, February 3, 2006 (accessed November 5, 2007)
During his training in Trumpets Music Academy, he accidentally entered a workshop for Advanced Musical Theater, when he was enrolled for the basic workshop. Plantado, the workshop's facilitator at that time, accepted Magdangal in her class where he was introduced with different players in the musical industry who eventually became his trainers. He said that theater training taught him confidence, discipline, humility, and teamwork. He believed that one should not pursue a career in entertainment simply for the money.
However, Magdangal discontinued his singing career to give priority to his family. He disbanded Gian with Industriya and entered the corporate world. Before auditioning for Philippine Idol, he was working as a Marketing Events Officer for Smart Communications.Napagod sa pag-ibig Pilipino Star Ngayon, February 6, 2007 (accessed November 5, 2007)
Philippine Idol Magdangal said that Philippine Idol was like "a calling" to return to music. However, he felt that the competition was not meant for him because of conflicts between his work and the audition dates. He only found an opening at the Cebu auditions, but he was short of money. He eventually flew to Cebu City with the help of sponsors in time for the final leg of the auditions, where he sang "The Last Time" by Eric Benét. He wore a gray coat, which he considered as his good luck charm, all throughout the audition and theater eliminations.
When Magdangal got into the Top 24, he took a leave of absence "without pay" from his work.Gian Magdangal’s game plan in ‘Idol’ Manila Bulletin, November 24, 2006 (accessed November 5, 2007) This was to avoid suspicion that Smart Communications, which was a major advertisement sponsor of Philippine Idol, was backing him up.
He failed to make to the Top 4 during the Men's Semi-Final Round, and had to go through the Wildcard phase to enter the Top 12 Finalists.
The judges often compared Magdangal (who studied in a De La Salle school) with fellow finalist Jan Nieto (who studied in Ateneo de Manila University), calling it "the new Ateneo-La Salle rivalry". They are also compared to the rivalry between Filipino singers Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano during the 1980s. Entertainment writers even predicted that Magdangal and Nieto would vie for the title.‘Philippine Idol’ fearless forecast: Gian vs. Jan Pep Eye, Philippine Entertainment Portal, November 24, 2006 (accessed November 5, 2007)
He was placed at the Bottom 4 or Bottom 3 twice. Although Magdangal was praised by the judges for his vocal talent, he is often criticized for his lack of emotional depth when performing his contest pieces.
He admitted that there were several physical changes in him during the competition, such as losing weight from 180 pounds to 162 pound at 6' 1", as well as getting sick days before the finale that he had to undergo medication.Gian Magdangal, after Philippine Idol Philippine Idol features section
He placed runner-up to eventual winner Mau Marcelo in a hotly contested voting verdict made by the public.
Post-Idol Magdangal received P250,000 as prize for being a runner-up on Philippine Idol. He said that he gave part of it to pay family debts and some of it went to his savings.
Weeks after the competition, Magdangal signed a non-exclusive contract with GMA Network and had been a regular talent in its Sunday noontime variety show SOP Rules."SOP" lets go of co-hosts for major revamp Philippine Entertainment Portal, January 22, 2007 However, a stipulation in Magdangal's contract states that he is not supposed to mention "Philippine Idol" in any of his appearances on GMA Network, and this has been noticeable since his first appearances.When Magdangal guested on talk show "Mel and Joey", he mentioned that he joined "a singing contest".
Magdangal, along with fellow Idol finalists Jelli Mateo and Pow Chavez, were included in a list of Most Promising People of 2007. He was described as the year's Christian Bautista, if not even better.Promising people Philippine Daily Inquirer, January 3, 2007 (accessed November 5, 2007)
Together with his fellow Idol finalists, Magdangal performed in a concert held in Araneta Coliseum on 23 March 2007.Philippine Idol main page Promotion of Idol concert as posted on Philippine Idol website
He performed in Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant in 2007, where he serenaded the finalists. Magdangal also guested in a fund-raising concert entitled "From the Soul...For the Mind", which benefited non-government organization Family Farm Schools.From the Soul…For the Mind: A fundraising concert to benefit Family Farm Schools Yehey! Lifestyle section, May 30, 2007 (accessed November 5, 2007) He performed in a concert headlined by Tiples de Santo Domingo, in which he was a member, in Philam Life Theater on 15 September 2007.
He won Best Performance by a New Male Artist at the 20th Awit Awards in August 2007 for his song "Himala" that was part of the Philippine Idol Top 12 Album.List of Winners in Major Categories 20th Awit Awards (accessed October 31, 2007)
Magdangal was included in Candy Magazine's list of "Candy Cuties" for 2007.Hottest celebrities make it to Candy Magazine's list of Candy Cuties Philippine Entertainment Portal, September 13, 2007 (accessed November 5, 2007)
He also guested in the Philippine version of Celebrity Duets, wherein he performed with socialite and self-proclaimed "eventologist" Tim Yap.
In 2011, Magdangal was cast as Crisóstomo Ibarra in the stage musical Noli Me Tángere, an adaptation of José Rizal's novel of the same name by composer Ryan Cayabyab and librettist Bienvenido Lumbera.
On 18 February 2015, Magdangal was interviewed and revealed he is now a cast member of Hong Kong Disneyland playing multiple roles like Capt. Li Shang of Mulan in the Golden Mickeys Theater Show.
Personal life Magdangal has one child, Gian Haley with Sheree Bautista. In 2025, he married singer Lara Maigue.
Filmography Television / digital series Year Title Role 2006 Philippine Idol Contestant / Runner-up 2007–2010 SOP Himself / Performer 2009 Rosalinda Gerardo 2010–2013 Party Pilipinas Himself / Performer 2011–2012 Kokak Norman 2013 Forever Rico Sunday All Stars Himself ('Insta Gang' Member) Myx 3on3 Player (Yellow Team) Annaliza Atty. Jun Castro 2014 Carmela: Ang Pinakamagandang Babae sa Mundong Ibabaw Tasyo Fernandez Rhodora X Medical Team I Niño Juanito Bet On Your Baby Himself 2018 FPJ's Ang Probinsyano Executive Secretary Damien Ocampo 2019; 2022 ASAP Natin 'To Himself (guest performer) 2021–2022 Viral Scandal Bobby Ramones 2022 Lyric and Beat Adrian Mano Po Legacy: The Flower Sisters Adult Felino Go 2023 Regal Studio Presents: My Fairy Lady Harris The Iron Heart Cian Abot-Kamay na Pangarap Lander Soler 2025 Akusada Atty. Carlo Marcelo
Film Year Title Role Note(s) 2023 Kahit Maputi Na ang Buhok Ko 2024 Chances Are, You and I Fuchsia Libre Daddy Yo 2025 Untold Geraldo Vera 2026 Ouano Ave. (Cebuano Guys) Kurt Castillo 2027 Mga Taong Naka-Underwear sa EDSA Elton Delgado
Discography Studio album Year Title Label 2009 Love Tracks Musiko/Sony Music
with 17:28 (Members: Gian Magdangal, Jonard Yanzon, Chino Alfonso, Wackie Valdes) Year Title Label 2003 17:28 Star Music 2004 Cozy Viva Records
Awards Year Award-giving Body Category 2006 Awit Awards Best Performance by a New Male Artist 2008GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment AwardsMost Promising Male Singer "The 38th Box-Office Entertainment Awards (Part 2)". Pep.ph. Retrieved 2014-05-24. 2018 Gawad Buhay Awards Male Lead Performance in a Musical 2023
References
External links
Gian Magdangal on Friendster Gian Magdangal's cast profile on SOP Rules Gian Magdangal's rendition of John Legend's "Ordinary People" for Candy Magazine