Toni & What Love Is

Toni Gonzaga shows some sexiness on the back cover of her third album titled Love is… Toni Gonzaga but her music remains sweet and is never sappy. After all, it’s Toni’s easy-listening kind of music that has made her songs reach the charts. She doesn’t have to strain her voice to make another gold or platinum album.

“I’m trying to be bolder with this album,” refers Toni to her daring, edgy image on the promotional photos for her latest album. She is in a backless dress revealing her flawless skin and legs.

“The album, on the other hand, is a combination of original and cover songs. I also had a say in the song choices. I think my music depends on time and trends. I have to go with the flow like what the listeners want. If they prefer covers, we will give them that. As the title of my album implies, it is all about love and the listener will define for himself what love is.”

Love is… Toni Gonzaga is the follow-up album to You Complete Me and Toni Gonzaga Falling In Love. Both reached gold status with the record sales of more than 25,000 sold copies. The latter was certified platinum. Toni’s music has a market of its own that’s why Star Records is never afraid to take a gamble on her. They think Toni always delivers.

For a recording artist whose debut album started on the right foot and who surpassed the sophomore jinx, there’s no other way for Toni but to come up another one and explore her range musically.

“I’m thankful that they have entrusted me this one,” says Toni, winner of MYX Most Downloaded Artist award. “(My) success, to quote actor Anthony Hopkins, is 80 percent luck, 10 percent talent and 10 percent attitude. I think it also comes with hardwork and patience. You have to visualize what you want and focus on it. Whatever respect and success I’m enjoying now, it is something I have earned for the past years. I still have a lot more to prove myself. I have to do it year after year.”

Love is… Toni Gonzaga will show that the singer-actress can make a kill not only on original compositions but also on the songs of the other artists. If you grew up in the ‘80s and ‘90s, you will have a blast listening to the carrier single One Hello, If Ever You’re In My Arms Again with Sam Milby, Take Me, I’ll Follow You, Insensitive, Steep and Someone’s Always Saying Goodbye. You can’t help but sing along the songs with Toni. Besides, these ditties are familiar tunes. But if you’re looking for the real sounds of Toni just the way she did in chart-topping singles We Belong and Catch Me I’m Fallin’, she serves you up songs like Incapable, If I Give You My Heart and I’ve Been Waiting.

What else do we look forward to in Toni’s career aside from her hosting stints on ABS-CBN’s Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition 2, Entertainment Live and ASAP? A lot.

Faces & Curves, a beauty clinic which offers cosmetic, plastic and reconstructive surgery, got her and sister Alex as its endorsers. The place, located at Suite 204 The Victoria Plaza, Annapolis St., Greenhills, San Juan, is staffed by board-certified plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, internists and dermatologists.

Toni, a regular customer of Faces & Curves, was chosen because of her wholesome image, and her versatility as singer, actress and host.

“It was Faces & Curves that reconstructed part of my face when I met an accident while shooting a TV commercial,” says Toni. “Look, you don’t notice any difference anymore, do you?”

She goes on, “I will also make a movie with Vhong Navarro.” The Star Cinema project is Toni and Vhong’s big screen teamup after D‘ Anothers. Toni adds that she is in her best element as an actress in comedies and light romances like You Are the One and You Got Me. Many think she is also perfect for the title role of Betty La Fea which has given America Ferreira Golden Globes and Emmys. Toni is a funny girl in her own right.

With the many hats she is wearing, Toni wishes to be known as a singer “who sings from the heart, and in the future, (I hope) someone will make one of my songs a cover.”

Toni Gonzaga: ‘I’m just lucky’

Toni Gonzaga is the star of several hit movies, host of a number of hit shows, and singer with two platinum-award winning albums. But for all of her success, she believes that it’s all due to luck.

“I think sa business na ito, 80 percent ang luck, 10 percent ang attitude, at 10 percent ang talent. That’s it for me. I’m speaking for myself,” she explains during the recent launch of her third album, Love Is… Her third album contains her renditions of all-time favorites, such as You’re In Love, If I Give You My Heart, Take Me, I’ll Follow You, Insensitive, Steep, I’ve Been Waiting, and Someone’s Always Saying Goodbye. There’s also an original composition, Incapable, included in the album.

“I know that I can do so many things. But I also know that someone out there can do so much more and so much better than I do. I’m just so fortunate that I’ve been given the chances and the breaks and I was blessed with luck.”

Luck is definitely on her side. Toni is currently one of the bestselling local recording artists. Her second album, Falling In Love, is a big hit, selling a whopping 29,000 units–despite the music piracy problem. Her record label, Star Records, adds that the album is continuing to sell well.

While she is flattered with the platinum and multi-media star monickers that have been bestowed on her, she realizes that they also carry some pressure. “When you’re in the business and people start to appreciate you and recognize your abilities and how you do your work, it’s flattering and overwhelming. But at the same time, it’s something that you don’t want to put into your head,” Toni explains. “Gusto ko lang siyang i-embrace pero ayoko siyang ilagay sa sistema ko.”

She believes that these names mean she has to live up to them, to prove herself worthy. “You have to prove yourself more and more every year and it does not stop,” she ends.

Toni Gonzaga releases third album under Star Records

Right on the heels of her successful first solo concert Catch Me at the Aliw Theater, Toni Gonzaga has just released her latest album Love Is…Toni Gonzaga.

With her past two albums with Star Records accorded gold and platinum status, her recording label has no qualms in producing another album for the artist reluctantly dubbed as the The Ultimate Multimedia Star.

“Ang laki talaga ng pasasalamat ko sa Star Records dahil pinagkakatiwalaan nila ako with another album. Lahat ng kanta dito ay close to my heart at masaya ako nang i-record ko ang mga kanta,” says Toni.

According to Nixon Sy, Star Records’ promo unit head, “Her first album with Star Records, You Complete Me, was certified gold and her sophomore album, Toni Gonzaga Falling in Love, was awarded platinum. At such a young age, Toni is being recognized as one of the movers of the music industry and it’s a privilege for Star Records to produce another winner for her.”

In fact, her carrier single “One Hello,” is now enjoying heavy rotation in various radio stations nationwide. The other songs in her 11-track album are “Incapable,” “You’re in Love,” “If I Give You My Heart,” “Take Me, I’ll Follow You,” Insensitive,” “Steep,” “I’ve Been Waiting,” and “Someone’s Always Saying Goodbye.” Fans will be thrilled to know that Sam Milby has a duet with Toni for the album’s song “If Ever You’re In My Arms Again.”

Toni adds, “Special po para sa akin ang Love Is…Toni Gonzaga dahil alam naman po ng lahat ng aking affairs of the heart. Kaya po sa lahat ng mga in love o gustong ma-in love, para po sa atin ang album na ito!”

Toni launches new ‘Love Is’ album; calls Multiply posts ‘malicious’ rumors

One enduring lesson in local showbiz is this: no matter how popular you are, no matter how wholesome your image, there will still be people who hate you–and will try to spread that hate around. And yes, this is true even for popular and wholesome TV host, singer and actress Toni Gonzaga.

It would be very hard to describe two posts on Toni’s own Multiply social networking site as anything other than “hate posts”. The poster, who goes by the name “tonisuckz”, makes outrageous, unproven accusations against Toni.

These accusations include claims that the singer and actress has had not one but several abortions. Furthermore, “tonisuckz” calls Toni a “gold digger” and claims that she’s the mistress of a politician. Two other posters, “pangatoni” and “antitoni” make simiar claims.

When one clicks on these posters’ names however, one is informed by the Multiply system that “user does not exist”.

“Nothing to hide”
Despite an attempt (perhaps, well-meaning) by one person from Toni’s camp to stop this reporter from bringing up the issue, the singer-actress was courageous and forthright enough to issue a denial to abs-cbnNEWS.com

“For someone to create such a lousy “chismis” and malicious na talagang gustong sirain ang buong pagkatao mo–I think that’s pathetic for someone…that’s terrible,” Toni said, adding that she’s challenging her accusers to make their claims to her face.

Toni added that she has “nothing to hide” and she’s confident that should anyone try to dig up dirt against her, she’ll still come up clean. The abortion rumor seems to have stemmed from her noticeable absence from her shows like ASAP’ 08 and Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus.

“Yes I’ve heard that sa Multiply account ko maraming ganyan that I’d been through abortion and all that, you know what the truth will always prevail. They can research about it, they can research about my life… and they can check every hospital. I’m willing and I’m ready,” Toni said, reacting to the rumor that she stayed at the Medical City in Pasig to recover after an alleged abortion.

Toni said that she has already discussed the rumor with her boyfriend, director Paul Soriano. The rumor is that Soriano “supported” Toni’s decision to get an abortion.

“Naku! You know what it’s so funny because I discussed that with Paul last night (May 15) when someone wrote that in my Multiply account.

“And then he said, ‘you know what Tin, there’s so many things that’s already been said about you and iyan one big fat lie na gusto nilang i-spread na tingin nila will crack you. It shouldn’t bother you at all because you know it’s not true’,” said Toni.

“Eric” and the “politician”
Toni also denied the posters’ claims that she’s the mistress of a politician who owns a condominium unit in Araneta Avenue, and that her first boyfriend was a guy named “Eric” back when she was still a student at the Dominican School.

“They can search every politician they know na tingin nila associated with me. I’m not connected, I don’t know why I’m even answering this issue because I know it’s not true,” she said.

Toni also reaffirmed that her first and only boyfriend is Soriano. She added that she would never approve of any attempt to fabricate issues just to create a buzz about her latest album, “Love Is… Toni Gonzaga” under ABS-CBN’s music outfit Star Records.

“Kasi ako when it comes to my career it is better to prove yourself through your achievement rather than just coming up with the issues na hindi naman totoo,” she said.

She explained that resorting to rumors and gimmickry to promote her album would be bad for everyone in the long run.

“First, ang magsa-suffer iyong tao, ako as a person and my image to the public. Then, second, the people will not really see what you can offer them and your talent, kasi ang masi-i-focus nila iyong isyu mo, kaakibat ng bagong project na ginagawa mo,” she said.

Her latest album under Star Records follows two recent successes: her hit concert “Catch Me…Toni Gonzaga” and her blockbuster movie “My Big Love” with actor Sam Milby.

Gonzaga’s album features a mix of original songs and revivals, including: “Incapable,” “You’re in Love,” “If I Give You My Heart,” “Take Me, I’ll Follow You,”Insensitive,” Steep,” “I’ve Been Waiting,” and “Someone’s Always Saying Goodbye”.

Toni and Alex Gonzaga are the new faces of Faces & Curves

In a press conference and luncheon held at Little Asia restaurant in Greenhills’ The Promenade, last May 9, the program began with the exclusive premiere of the center’s stunning black-and-white billboard, featuring close-up shots of the Gonzaga sisters, as well as a short video documenting the photo shoot for the billboard.

After Toni was introduced, she serenaded the press people with her hit single, “Catch Me, I’m Fallin,’” before proceeding with the actual contract signing for her latest project.

When asked about how she felt being Faces & Curves’ new celebrity endorser, Toni said with a humble smile, “I feel very blessed, and very happy and thankful that I would get to endorse Faces & Curves na talagang I believe in and I trust.”

She even joked, “When I heard nga that they’re interested to get me, it felt right. I went with it right away. When I found out na hindi na ako magbabayad for facial, siyempre natuwa ako!”

Actually, Toni has been a long-time patron of Faces & Curves’ services, especially facial and body skin care, which she gets once or twice a month. But don’t get her wrong. She is quick to dispel any hasty generalizations that she’s vain.

“Hindi naman yung vain na super-vain. Siguro bilang isang artista, kailangan naming pangalagaan ang katawan namin, ang kutis namin. So, yung katamtaman na vain lang,” she clarifies.

SISTER ACT. When asked about how she felt working with her sister in a project for the very first time, Toni said, “Wala lang, para kaming nasa bahay. Mas comfortable nga ako kasi I’m with my sister.”

Toni has surely received a lot of blessings lately in her career, given her slew of successful movies, her numerous hosting projects, her two hit albums, a concert that led to a repeat last May 2 at the Aliw Theater, and several endorsement deals including her latest for Faces & Curves.

Toni says she’s thankful that she has even more projects slated for the rest of the year. “I’ll be in a movie, I’ll be hosting a new show, and yung iba pa, I can’t share the details yet. But for sure it’s going to be with ABS-CBN.”

Alex is also busy with projects of her own. After debuting in ABS-CBN’s teen-oriented sitcom Let’s Go! and its spin-off Gokada Go!, she is currently seen in ABS-CBN’s Sunday afternoon series Your Song Presents: Without You, opposite Joross Gamboa, Star Circle Teen Quest Batch 1 alumnus, and Victor Basa, Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition Season 2 ex-housemate.

TREATING MOM RIGHT. Spotted during the presscon was Toni’s mom and manager, Tin-Tin Gonzaga. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, what are Toni and Alex’s plans for the special day?

“Kasi for us, parang every day is Mother’s Day. We don’t treat our mom special just because it’s Mother’s Day. So, siguro this Sunday, after work, I’ll be spending time with her. Hindi naman kailangang isang araw lang sine-celebrate ang Mother’s Day. Every day is a celebration of Mother’s Day,” Toni said.

Toni Gonzaga declines “The Ultimate Multimedia Star” title

Nahihiya si Toni Gonzaga na ihilera siya kina Vilma Santos, Judy Ann Santos, Maricel Soriano, at Sharon Cuneta na may mga sariling titulo. Tinatawag kasi ngayon si Toni as “The Ultimate Multimedia Star,” pero hindi pa raw siya handang tanggapin ito.

“Eto naman, title kaagad! Teka lang, dadalawang concerts lang nagawa ko, may title na agad. Saka na ‘yang title, punuin muna natin yung mga susunod na venue,” naiilang na sabi ni Toni sa victory party ng kanyang Catch Me… The Repeat concert last May 7 sa Gerry’s Grill, Quezon City.

Pero marami ang nagsasabi na puwede siyang sumunod sa yapak ni Pops Fernandez bilang Concert Queen. Ano ang masasabi ni Toni rito?

“Ganoon? Hindi ko alam. Ay sobra! Maraming puwedeng sumunod sa yapak niya, siguro bago ako, marami pa. Hayaan na natin yung iba pa. Marami pa akong kakaining bigas. Every day, kailangan kong mag-aral. Marami pa akong dapat aralin,” reaksiyon ni Toni.

How true na nagtampo siya sa ASAP ‘08 dahil tinapatan yung concert niya ng concert ni Richard Poon na produced by ASAP Live?

“Wala, wala akong tampo sa ASAP,” tanggi ng singer-actress-TV host. “Hindi uso sa akin ang magtampo. Sa business na ito, hindi uso ang nagtatampo, for me. Ganoon naman talaga. Di ba, kahit sa pelikula, nagkakasabay ng playdate? Whether we like it or not, this business is really very competitive.”

Magiging abala ngayon si Toni sa kanyang U.S. tour. May pelikula rin siyang gagawin with Vhong Navarro titled Amnesia Girl. Isa rin siya sa mga host ng second season ng Pinoy Dream Academy (PDA).

Pinayagan ba siya ng ABS-CBN na mag-U.S. tour ngayong July samantalang may PDA siya?

“Hindi, kasi originally, hindi naman ako dapat magpi-Pinoy Dream Academy. Bigla nila akong iniligay for some reason. E, yung July, naka-book na yun. So either mag-absent ako o ginagawan nila ng paraan na maiurong ng September,” paliwanag niya.

Nang kumustahin naman namin si Toni tungkol sa kanila ng boyfriend niyang si Paul Soriano, sinabi niyang wala pa silang balak magpakasal kahit nasa hustong gulang na siya.

“Okey lang yun. Si Judy Ann [Santos] nga di pa nagpapakasal,” sambit niya.

Bakit ayaw pa niyang bigyan ng apo ang mga magulang niyang sina Mommy Pinty at Daddy Carlito?

“Dahil hindi pa naman panahon. May tamang panahon… Bukas!” biro niya.