Benjamin Alves

Early life

Alves was born Benjamin Quiambao Sapida on March 31, 1989, Hagåtña, Guam. He is a nephew of Filipino actor Piolo Pascual.^[1][2]

Vince Saldaña (2006–2009)

In 2006, Alves went to the Philippines to pursue a modeling career.^[2] He entered showbusiness with the screen name Vince Saldaña in 2008 and appeared in ABS-CBN's reality model-search competition Close-Up to Fame, where he was a finalist.^[3] He then signed a contract with VIVA and got his first acting role in QTV's teen series Posh in 2007. In that same year, he appeared in other Viva Films movies like Ang Cute ng Ina Mo and Apat Dapat, Dapat Apat.^[2][4][5] He also starred on teleseryes Dalawang Tisoy^[6] in RPN 9, Ysabella^[7] on ABS-CBN and Impostora^[8] on GMA Network. Apart from his work on television series and films, Alves also appeared in various TV commercials and magazines.^[2] He was supposed to be one of the cast of GMA Network's L.U.V. Pow but was withdrawn after the cast reboot.^[9] Alves left show business in 2009 to continue his studies.^[2]

In 2012, Alves graduated summa cum laude from the University of Guam with a degree in English Literature.^[5][10] In a press interview, he revealed initial plans to pursue a master's degree, but ultimately decided to stay in the entertainment industry.^[5]

Benjamin Alves and contract with GMA Network (2012–present)

Saldaña was relaunched in the Philippine entertainment scene as Benjamin Alves by Mercator Model and Artist Management.^[2][11] He signed an exclusive contract with GMA Network for three films and soap operas.^[1] He was officially launched on the Sunday variety show, Party Pilipinas on June 25, 2012, as the newest Kapuso star, and was also dubbed as the newest Kapuso heartthrob.^[1][12][13] His first movie under Regal Films and GMA Films was Guni-Guni, playing as Paolo Lopez,^[5][11] the love interest of actress Lovi Poe.^[2][11][14] He also appeared in the GMA Films entry to the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival, Coño Problems.^[15][16] In August 2012, Alves was announced as part of the cast for the Philippine adaptation of the 2007 K-drama series Coffee Prince,^[17][18] as Errol, a record-producer and half-brother of lead Aljur Abrenica.^[19]

In 2013, he starred in the independent film Sana Dati alongside TJ Trinidad, Lovi Poe and Paulo Avelino under GMA Films.

Personal life

Alves was in a relationship with singer-actress Julie Anne San Jose from May 2016 to November 2018. San Jose confirmed their relationship on January 7, 2017,^[20] and later publicly confirmed their breakup in January 2019.^[21]

Alves wed content creator Chelsea Robato on January 28, 2024, at Santuario de San Antonio Parish Church in Makati.^[22][23]

Television series

Television shows

Film