Toni Gonzaga

Toni Gonzaga is the screen name of Celestine Cruz Gonzaga, who is one of the most ravishing Filipina actresses and is also a pleasant and popular television host. Born on January 21, 1984, Toni is famous for playing the leading female host in Pinoy Big Brother. Her fame rose to greater heights as a female newscaster in a satirical news show called Wazzup Wazzup. But being multitalented is just a part of her personality and she used her singing talent to launch two music albums also.

BIO:

Name: Celestine Cruz Gonzaga
Nickname: Tintin
Screen name: Toni Gonzaga
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Birthdate: 20 January 1984

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL:

She got her first big break as a fan of Piolo Pascual in a softdrink commercial, at the age of 17 years old. She recalls that at that time, “Masaya ako at excited kasi ito yung first lead commercial ko tapos Piolo was there di ko nga ineexpect na nandun sya.” (I am happy and excited because this is my first lead commercial after Piolo was there and I did not expect that he was there.)[citation needed]

Toni later became one of the co-hosts of hit noontime variety show Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) where she started her showbiz career. At about the same time, she joined Studio 23′s Wazzup Wazzup as one of the anchors and was tagged as the “News Diva” because she always seemed to deliver the news with such a powerful voice.[citation needed] (Studio 23 is a subsidiary of ABS-CBN, widely regarded in the Philippines as GMA-7′s competitor.) Toni Gonzaga as the News Diva.

After signing with ABS-CBN (and leaving GMA7), She encountered different accusations of being ENGRATA but she is not, They had meetings with GMA before she left and the said network welcomes Toni whenever she want to. Toni quickly became a part of such shows like the Most Requested Show (MRS) with Roderick Paulate and Amy Perez. Of which she says, “masaya katrabaho mga beteranong artista kasi aside sa magaling sila at enjoy kasama marami kang matutunan sa kanila.”[citation needed] She was also a part of Entertainment Konek (ETK) with Ogie Diaz, which she enjoys because of the fun environment. She also signed up as of the female co-hosts of the then-novel reality show, Pinoy Big Brother. “Natutuwa ako at nagpapasalamat kasi they (Management) considered me at they trusted me na maging part ng malaking show na ito,”[citation needed] she says. She shares that the offer to be a part of PBB came before their group went to perform in the US for the US Kapamilya Caravan. She took up AB Communication Arts at the University of Santo Tomas.

In 2006, she diversified into music and came out with her first music album called You Complete me. Released by Star records, this album is a romantic hit and included songs like We belong, love fool, Kung kayak o and Kapag Tumibok Ang Puso.

SIMPLE AND BEST

Toni grew up in a Christian family with a heart for the people. Even before she started her career in showbiz, Toni has always felt the need to reach out to other people. She was once a Sunday school teacher in her town. She also ran for Baranggay Kagawad in Taytay, a position she lobbied hard for, recalling how she went door to door when she first campaigned. Toni is now in her 3rd year as a Kagawad where she is in charge of the “Clean & Green” campaign of her baranggay. She says, “Inelect ka nila sa posisyon and they have their trust in you na magagawa mo ang trabaho at service mo sa kanila.” For Toni, she understands that her celebrity is just one aspect of her life and it shouldn’t stop her from doing a good job in the public service arena.

In spite of celebrity stereotypes, Toni enjoys the simple life. On her downtime, she likes to stay at home and to play with her 1 year old Golden Retriever named WuWu (named after her show, Wazzup Wazzup) “Minsan lumalabas kami to eat outside, watch movie, ganun masaya basta kasama mo family mo” she says. She enjoys going back to the basics so much that she says she would easily last in the Big Brother house for 100 days. “Di naman ako mahilig sa mga cellphone, ganun” she shares. Toni admits, though, that the she would miss being able to surf the internet if she were in the Big Brother house. She says that she loves to surf, and she regularly reads the forum posts about her, especially the ones with negative comments. She figures that reading albeit sometimes hurtful opinions help her grow as an artist.

Ever bent on self-improvement, Toni is currently taking AB English – a shift from her Mass Com course. She feels that her new course will help her become a better host. “May mga practicumer kami sa show na nakakausap ko then nakakakuha ako ng idea from them in broadcating” pertaining to the trainees in her shows.

TONI ENJOYS

With her numerous hosting jobs & growing career, Toni certainly feels blest. She says she especially enjoys working in Pinoy Big Brother because “masaya kasi at magaan ang ambiance at ang set.” When asked about her thoughts on the housemates, she easily says, “Na-meet ko sila personally kasi ako sumundo sa kanila kaya alam ko kung saan sila nakatira at ang atmosphere ng life nila kaya i have no doubts kung bakit sila ganun kumulos sa loob ng bahay, kasi totoong tao sila talaga.”

Aside from PBB, Toni enjoys working with people like Vhong Navarro, one of her co-hosts in Wazzup Wazzup. She’s thankful that she has also gotten to work with Ms. Nova Villa, and other co workers in her shows.

Aside from enjoying her work, Toni feels she is just your average 21 year old, who just happens to be on televisoin from time to time. In her 4 years in the business, Toni’s biggest learning in life has been to know whom to trust, and to always follow your parents. “Wala kang mapagkakatiwalaan maliban lang sa mga taong totoo sayo at sa pamilya mo sila yung nariyan para pagkuhanan mo ng lakas at inspirasyon,” she affirms. When asked where she sees herself after 5 years, she only smiles and says everything happens in God’s purpose and will.

Awards

* ASAP Pop Viewer’s Choice Awards 2006: Pop Screen Kiss (with Sam Milby)
* ASAP Pop Viewer’s Choice Awards 2006: Pop Movie Theme Song (You Are The One)
* 20th PMPC Star Awards for Television: Best Female TV Host (ASAP 06)

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