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
Garcia in 2009
Background information
Birth nameMaria Cristina Yu Garcia
Born (1987-09-26) September 26, 1987 (age 37)
Caloocan, Philippines
GenresP-Pop, R&B, OPM
Occupation(s)Singer, actress
Years active2003–present
LabelsGMA Records

Early life and education

edit

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

edit
 
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

edit

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

edit

Albums

edit

Singles

edit

Soundtracks

edit

Filmography

edit

Television

edit
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

edit

Awards

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

Trivia

edit
  • 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

edit
  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.
edit