La Diva is a Filipino R&B, Ballad, Pop girl group signed to GMA Records,

first established in last quarter of 2008. They are comprised of two winners

and a runner-up of Pinoy Pop Superstar namely Jonalyn Viray, Aicelle Santos a

nd Maricris Garcia. They are popular for having blending styles, Jonalyn

Viray being the soprano, Maricris Garcia being the mezzo-soprano, and Aicelle Santos as the alto.

History

On May 2008, it was confirmed that GMA Artist Center is forming a trio-La Diva.'SOP' is known for talents that are simply world-class, but who still strive for constant reinvention. With its “Three of a Kind” segment, the musical variety show gets ready to introduce a new generation of divas.

In November 2008,New Divas Take the Stage. Jonalyn notes that a meeting for the creation of La Diva was held in January this year. The icing on the cake was that they would still keep their own identities, their own solo careers. None of the three ladies in La Diva is certain how the group was formed, all of them came from the singing competition, Pinoy Pop Superstar. Jonalyn Viray and Maricris Garcia were the Grand Champions of the first and third seasons respectively, and Aicelle Santos was the runner-up in the second season.

After their first performance as a group, the three ladies started receiving positive feedback on their segment.Ms. Wilma Galvante, GMA-7 Senior Vice President for Entertainment and Ms. Darling de Jesus, Assistant Vice President for magazines, musicals, variety, and specials have also noticed the improvement in their performances, Maricris notes. This time, they displayed confidence on stage and were moving more in sync with the music.With their success as La Diva, the three singers are already garnering attention and creating a following.

Upcoming Album

Their untitled debut album is currently in the work produced by Danny Tan under GMA Records and Sony Music Entertainment. The album will consist of 14 original and cover songs including their first three singles Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan, Ikaw ang Pag-Ibig and Ay Amor, Rosalinda.

Success

Last May 2009, they serenade David Archuleta on the program, Sis. David was so amazed by this group. He described it as group that fits each other voice. On 2009, La Diva will be releasing their very first album as a group featuring their best songs and new tracks

Singles

Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan? (Originally Performed by Basil Valdez)

Ikaw ang Pag-Ibig (Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang theme song)

Ay Amor (Rosalinda theme song)

Concerts

Let's Celebrate (L.A. Concert with Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes - 2008)

Katy Musical (MMFF Highlights - 2008)

front act at America's Finest

AICELLE SANTOS - Philippines' "Ballad Pricess"

Aicelle Anne Santos (born February 24, 1985) better known by her stage name Aicelle Santos is a Filipino Soul, R&B, Pop, and Jazz singer-songwriter and pianist, who first emerged in the Philippine Music scene as a contestant in a nationwide search for the next best singer in ABS-CBN's Star In A Million Season one. She has been known as the First Undefeated Pinoy Pop Superstar for achieving eight-straight wins in GMA 7's Pinoy Pop Superstar and the Philippines' "Ballad Pricess."

Background

At an early age of 6, Aicelle Santos received abecedarian musical training at the St. Scholastica’s College, and theUniversity of the Philippines School of Music for Piano. The early training allowed Aicelle to indulge in her original dream to become a young famous Pianist. However, a shift in focus took place as she realized she loved singing more, and would rather be a famous singer than be a known pianist. Aicelle's inspiration on the field came from Walt Disney's character Ariel from the movieLittle Mermaid. The movie's theme song "Part of Your World" was Aicelle's first memorized song, which she also performed during her elementary school programs.

While still a first-year college at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Aicelle joined ABS-CBN's Season 1 of "Star In A Million (yr. 2003)," her first take on a nationwide televised singing competition. The competition opened many doors for Aicelle. And although she sometimes struggled, she eventually found the perfect balance between going to the University and her then blossoming singing-career.

Aicelle took advantage of the little popularity "Star In A Million" gave her and showcased her well-received talents on popular and top performers' settings with a new acoustic group "Dream Sequence." Dream Sequence proved to be a success on its own right, and brought all its three members to many cities around the Philippines. The Metro’s prime stages of Bagaberde, Chef and Brewer, Phi Bar, Fiesta San Miguel in Dusit, E’s Bar in Edsa Shangri-La, and many more became the group's main performing stages. The nightly gigs believed to have been Aicelle’s training ground for good vocals and excellent stage performance.

In 2005, Aicelle once again decided to aim for a solo singing career, by joining the second season of the Philippine’s TV hit, singing competition, Pinoy Pop Superstar. An eight-straight win during preliminaries put Aicelle on top and on the show's history, as the first 'Undefeated Superstar.' Singing her unforgettable versions of All The Man That I Need - Week 1, I Need You - Week 2, Natural Woman - Week 3, A House Is Not A Home - Week 4, Respect - Week 5, Summertime - Week 6, A Song For You - Week 7, Man In The Mirror - Week 8. Aicelle got into the finals as everyone's favourite to win. At PPS's season finale, Aicelle Santos claimed 1st Runner-up and signed a Record Deal and an exclusive management contract under GMA Artist Centre.

Once again, Aicelle proved her vocal competence when she won Best Performance of Own Country Song representing the Philippines in Astana Music Festival in Kazakhstan. Aicelle bested delegates from 13 countries around the world, including Mexico, Peru, Finland, Romania, Latvia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Tajikistan, Lithuania, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malta, and China. Her winning-piece entitled Bakit Di Subukan a Vehnee Saturno composition is a Tagalog-English song with an English title "If We Just Hold On." Following this triumph is Aicelle’s recognition forPeople’s Choice Best New Female Artist in Awit Awards 2007.

Today, Aicelle is conquering the Philippine’s recording scene with her debut album Make Me Believe a 14-cut album under GMA Records. Ikaw Pa Rin is her carrier hit single in the charts.

Achievements

1. First Female Grand Contender of Pinoy Pop Superstar Year 2

2. First Undefeated Superstar of Pinoy Pop Superstar Year 2

3. Overall Roadshow Superstar : Pinoy Pop Superstar Year 2

4. First Runner-Up : Pinoy Pop Superstar Year 2

5. Won a Major award on Astana Music Festival in Kazakhstan (Sept. 2006)

Best Performance of Own Country Song

6. People's Choice Favorite New Female Recording Artist

Awit Awards 2007

7. No 11 spots in MYX TOP 20 for Three (3) Consecutive weeks (Early January of 2008)

8. Won Most Promising Female Singer of 2008 at the Guillermo Mendoza Awards (May 2008)

9. A New Trio was BORN. LA DIVA take the stage "Aicelle Santos, Maricris Garcia and Jonalyn Viray" (May 2008)

10. Nominated in 21st Awit Awards for Best Female Recording Artist and Best RNB song (June 2008

11. Nominated in 3rd IFM PINOY MUSIC AWARDS "Most Popular Song by a Female Performer" (October 2008)

12. Won The 21st Awit Awards Peoples Choice for Best Female Recording Artist (Nov 26, 2008)

13. LA DIVA in LOS ANGELES "the first International Concert by LA DIVA "AICELLE,MARICRIS, and JONALYN. (Dec 5, 2008)

Discography

Pinoy Pop Superstar Year 2: Contenders' Album

Make Me Believe

MARICRIS GARCIA - THE DIVINE PRINCESS

Maricris Yu Garcia (born September 26, 1987 in Caloocan City, Manila, Philippines), is a singer from the Philippines, best known for winning Pinoy Pop Superstar Year 3. She first auditioned in Pinoy Pop Superstar Year 1, but did not become a finalist. Two years later, she won with her rendition of Barry Manilow's "One Voice" at the Grand Finale held in Araneta. She was the 3rd Pinoy Pop Superstar champion (the others were Jonalyn Viray & Gerald Santos). Her voice is distinctly similar to the Divine Diva Zsazsa Padilla's voice, so she has been given the title of the "Divine Princess"

Albums

Pinoy Pop Superstar Year 3 Grand Contenders' Album

Track 3: 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)

Singles

Kahit Isang Saglit (revival from Martin Nievera)

Mahal Kita (love theme from MariMar)

Bakit Ikaw Pa Rin (revival from Jaya)

With You

Soundtracks

Nang Dahil Sa Iyo (main theme song from Mga Mata ni Anghelita)

Mahal Kita (love theme from MariMar)

Kung Sana Bukas (main theme song from Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita)

Achievements

1. 3rd Pinoy Pop Superstar Grand Champion (June 2007)

2. Launch Her Debut Album entitled "MAHAL KITA" (June 2008)

3. Sung Sa Mga Mata Ni Angelita theme Song "Nang Dahil Sayo" also included in her debut album

4. Sung Sub-Themesong of GMA Telebabad Shows.

- Marimar "Mahal Kita"

- Babangon ako at Dudurugin ...(Kung Sana Bukas)

5. Nominated in Aliw Awards for Best New Female Artist

6. A New Trio was BORN. LA DIVA take the stage "Aicelle Santos, Maricris Garcia and Jonalyn Viray" (May 2008)

7.LA DIVA in LOS ANGELES (First International Concert of LA DIVA "Aicelle, Maricris and Jonalyn" (Dec 5, 2008)

Trivia

She is a GMA Network and GMA Records contract star.

She sung Mahal Kita, one of Marimar's theme song.

Her first music video was "Kahit Isang Saglit" in which Dennis Trillo appeared.

JONALYN VIRAY - PHILIPPINE'S FINEST DIVA (SOUL PRINCESS)

Jonalyn Roxas Viray (born November 15, 1989 in San Mateo, Rizal, Philippines) is a Filipina singer. She first emerged as a 1st winner of Pinoy Pop Superstar a local talent show in the Philippines and later as a lead vocals for girl group La diva.

She's start joining singing contest in her early age. She has won first runner-up in "Birit Bulilit" of IBC-13 as a child and in "MTB Teen Pop Star." Her winning piece was Mariah Carey’s "Never Too Far." Growing up, Jonalyn, much like any aspiring singer, admired Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Regine Velasquez and later, Kelly Clarkson. Jonalyn is now one of the most acclaimed, most in demand teen popstar in the Philippines. She is considered one of the greatest singers ever to reach the music scene because of her technically skilled voice, belting her ballads and uptempo hits. She joined GMA 7's talent search Pinoy Pop Superstar and won with her rendition of Reflection by Lea Salonga. On its second week, she won again with her rendition of It Might Be You and make her a fix finalist when she sung Get Here on its following week. At the finals night, she first sang "It Might Be You." From the eight finalists, four were chosen: Jonalyn along with Charmaine Piamonte, Michael Garcia and the crowd’s favorite, Brenan Espartinez.

In the second bout involving four of them, Jonalyn sang Whitney Houston’s "Run to You." She was chosen to be one of the final two contenders, the other being Brenan who sang George Michael’s "Careless Whisper." In their face off, they both sang "My Miracle" and it was Jonalyn who emerged as the champ.

Finally, the time has come for Pinoy Pop Superstar Jonalyn Viray to shine on her own as GMA Records releases her debut album “On My Own”. Jonalyn's first album is in fact a dream come true – from the little girl who aimed for a goal to reach her destiny, the young diva has now achieved that goal and made her dream a reality.

The petite belter now proves to everyone that she has made it as a singer with a sure hit album like “On My Own”. Now a GMA Artist Center talent, Jonalyn rightfully claimed the title of being the ultimate Pinoy Pop Superstar, besting some of the most brilliant young singers now. The amateur singing contest paved the way for the young lass and she is now reaping the fruits of her hard work. And with her first solo album, her talent sparkles even brighter with the ten tracks that highlight her vocal prowess. “Close to Where You Are”, Jonalyn's carrier single can effortlessly turn any listener to a fan. Composed by ace composer Danny Tan, this is the first song Jonalyn sang as a Pinoy Pop Superstar grand winner. In front of thousands of people in the Araneta Coliseum after she was declared the winner in the Pinoy Pop Superstar Grand Showdown, she sang the song with all her heart and showed everyone that she rightfully deserved to be the one and only Pinoy Pop Superstar.

Jonalyn's renditions of “It Might Be You”, “Get Here”, and “Run To You” are also bound to be hits among the young and old. She will surely mesmerize listeners with her rendition of the Darna theme song “Di Na Mag-iisa”.

Jonalyn's soulful voice is in full force with “On My Own”. Pinoy Pop Superstar's “Soul Sister” sheds off the shyness of a former dreamer to wear the cloak of a certified diva.

Recently Jonalyn compete at the prestigious World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Hollywood and was awarded the Industry Award Female Vocal Solo for winning five gold medals. The five golds came from the categories Broadway, Original, Pop, R&B and Variety. Jonalyn was also awarded Overall Champion Female Solo" in Broadway, Pop and Original.

Jonalyn Viray also known as "soul princess" is a 2006 World Championships of Performing Arts overall female champion & a versatile singer from the Philippines known for her notable vocal ability.

She was often compared to her fellow singer Sarah Geronimo because of the fact that they came from rival show and that they are just of the same ages. Her famous whistle register is one of her advantages against others and her belting prowess is often compared to that of Regine Velasquez.

She also sing the soprano role in La Diva and often given the hardest part considering that she has the widest range of the three and her versatility is incomparable.

Voice

Jonalyn Viray is known for her vocal belting and her ability to sing in whistle register. She is often compared to the likes of and Mariah Carey due to her melismatic singing style.
She is classified as a Spinto Coloratura Soprano and is noted for giving a soulful dramatic effect to the songs she sing. She has been credited to having more than four-octave range.

Her vocal prowess was definitely amazing that you can consider her as the one and only great belter among the her generation.

With her great vocal quality, great vocal range, she can be the next Regine in her generation!

Jonalyn Viray has a big soulful voice and has her own style of belting. She was also able to sing in whistle register. She is classified as spinto soprano. She is known for her versatilty and consistency in singing in wide genres.

Highest Note: Bb6(Oh Holy Night)

Highest Note in Chest Voice: G5,(Oh Holy Night, Love Takes Time, Since U Been Gone, And I'm Telling You)

Lowest note: C#3

Highest chest note: Ab5 ("I believe")

Highest whistle note: Bb6 ("Oh Holy Night")

Live whistle register notes:

Oh Holy Night-Bb6

Lovin' You-E6

Emotions-F6

Dream Lover-A6

Fly Like a Bird-G#6

Vision of Love-A6

Emotions(2nd time)-G6


Discography
On my own (GMA records)
Singles:
My miracle
Run to you
Close to where you are
Di na nag iisa (darna's theme)
Get here
It might be you
Ikaw nga (Mulawin Theme)
If we just hold on



Achievements
1.1st Pinoy Pop Superstar Grand Champion (2005)
2.1st Album Launching: (On My Own 2005)
3.1st Collaboration Album: Pinoy Pop SuperstarGrand Contenders Album (2005)
4.2nd Collaboration Album: Tunog Kapuso Album (Di Na Mag-Iisa & My Miracle) (2005)
5.Acting Debut: My Guardian Abby (2005)
6.Reflections Concert (Guest) - (2005)
7.WCOPA: 5 Golds (Broadway, Original, Pop, R&B, Jazz, Variety) (2006)
8.WCOPA: 3 Plaques (Overall Champion Femal Solo for Broadway, Original & Pop) (2006)
9.WCOPA: 2 Golds (Duet for Pop, R&B/Jazz) (2006)
10.WCOPA: Industry Award (Vocal Duet) (2006)
11.WCOPA: 1 Plaque (Overall Champion Vocal Duet for Pop, Gospel & Broadway) ( 2006)
12.Sung the Theme Song: Ang Mundo Ko’y Ikaw (2006)
13. Luv NY (With the Role of Jenny De Castro) (2006)
14.Concert in Japan with Ogie Alcasid (2007)
15.Concert in Hawaii with Jennelyn Mercado (2007)
16.Ang Ating Musika Concert (Guest) (2007)
17.3rd Collaboration Album: Mga Awiting Kapuso (Kung Mahawi Man Ang Ulap) (2008)
18.Joined a New Trio: La Diva (2008)
19.Fantasies Concert Series in LA (with Katrina Halili & Kris Lawrence) (2008)
20.Let’s Celebrate: Marian-Dingdong Dance Concert in LA (with La Diva) (2008)
21.Katy Musical (MMFF Highlights) (2008)
22.. Her Single "If We Just Hold On" placed Fifth on SOP Music Video Awards (2008)