Gian Bernardino
Filipino singer and actor (born 2001)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Edgar Gian P. Bernardino (born July 24, 2001) is a Filipino singer, songwriter, and actor. He is one of two lead vocalists and a founding member of the pop rock band Cup of Joe, formed in 2018. He has written songs for several of the band's releases, as well as pursuing acting in film and television. In 2025, he made his directorial debut with a music video for the band.
July 24, 2001
- Singer
- songwriter
- actor
Gian Bernardino | |
|---|---|
Bernardino in 2025 | |
| Born | Edgar Gian P. Bernardino July 24, 2001 Villasis, Pangasinan, Philippines |
| Education | University of Baguio |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2018–present |
| Musical career | |
| Genres |
|
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Label | Viva |
| Member of | Cup of Joe |
| Signature | |
 | |
On November 26, 2021, Bernardino appeared as Kulas in the TV show Quaranthings The Series. On June 5, 2022, he starred in the short film Kubli (lit. 'Hidden'). In 2023, he portrayed the main character Hero in the short film Microplastics, an entry to the QCinema film festival. Lé Baltar of Rappler commended the film for its honest depiction of queer experiences.
In 2025, Bernardino portrayed drag queen J-Quinn's love interest in the music video for the latter's love song, "Bagong Buwan" (lit. 'New Moon'). He also performed at Lov3laban, a Pride Month celebration held at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City, Philippines. In 2026, Bernardino portrayed Maris Racal's love interest in the music video for her song "Sino Ang Tanga" (lit. 'Who's The Fool'), which depicted him and Racal sharing intimate, romantic moments. Pauline Songco of the Daily Tribune praised the video's "visually compelling" story and Bernardino's chemistry with Racal.
Life and career
2001–2019: Early life, Cup of Joe, and Viva Records
Edgar Gian Bernardino was born on July 24, 2001. He is an Ilocano[1] hailing from the province of Pangasinan, Philippines.[2] At around the age of three, he began discovering his voice, and spent part of his childhood in Qatar, where he joined singing contests.[3][4] In 2015, he auditioned for the reality competition series Pinoy Big Brother: 737. He was invited to come to the Philippines for the show, but declined when he realized that his family would not allow him to leave Qatar on his own because he was still in eighth grade.[5] He pursued dentistry at the University of Baguio.[6]
In November 2018, Bernardino and his schoolmates marked their senior high school graduation by forming the band Cup of Joe. The band's music reached listeners beyond Baguio via Spotify and social media. In 2019, Cup of Joe signed with Viva Records, with Bernardino as co-lead vocalist and co-writer.[7]
2020–2025: Microplastics and Directorial debut
In 2020, Bernardino composed and performed "Angat Baguio" (lit. 'Rise Baguio'), which placed third in a Baguio Day songwriting competition held by the province's Tourism Office.[6]
In 2023, Bernardino portrayed the lead role, Hero, in the short film Microplastics, directed by Lino Balmes. It premiered at the QCinema film festival.[8] According to Lé Baltar of Rappler, the film uses microplastics as a metaphor for society deeming queerness as unclean. Despite the film's "fair share of lapses", she commended its refusal to "sanitize" queer experiences.[9]
In July 2024, Bernardino and singer-actress Jhoanna Robles portrayed the leads in the music video for "Misteryoso" (lit. 'Mysterious') by Cup of Joe.[10] He is credited as the track's sole lyricist and also co-produced it with his bandmates.[11] Ghilieah Valeska Tabbada of Pulp called "Misteryoso" the "ultimate feel-good bop" of 2024 and arguably one of the band's best songs. She praised the "heart-fluttering" onscreen chemistry between Bernardino and Robles as well, deeming every scene between them to be "swoon-worthy".[12] The following year, Bernardino starred in the music video for "Bagong Buwan" (lit. 'New Moon'), a synth-pop love song by drag queen J-Quinn, as the singer's love interest.[13][14] The music video was described as "neon-drenched" and "dreamy".[14] The first episode of his monthly podcast G on Top premiered on May 23.[15] In November, When in Manila included G on Top on their list of Filipino podcast recommendations.[16]
Bernardino wrote eight of the songs in the Cup of Joe's debut album Silakbo (lit. 'Outburst').[17] In June, Bernardino performed at Lov3laban (pronounced "Love Laban", meaning "Love Fight"), a Pride Month celebration held at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City, Philippines.[18] On October 3, Bernardino made his directorial debut with the music video for Cup of Joe's single Sandali (lit. 'Wait'), with Raphaell Ridao contributing to the concept.[19] On September 6, Bernardino appeared as one of the guest performers at Janine Teñoso's first solo concert, held at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City.[20]
2026–present: Other works
On February 13, 2026, Bernardino starred as Maris Racal's love interest in the music video for her song "Sino Ang Tanga" (lit. 'Who's The Fool').[21] The video showed Racal and Bernardino sharing romantic and intimate moments, such as Bernardino gently kissing her leg. Pauline Songco of the Daily Tribune praised the video's "visually compelling storyline" and the onscreen chemistry between Bernardino and Racal.[21][22]
In March, he was a guest reporter on the digital news program TV Patrol Express.[23] The newspaper SunStar Cebu included Bernardino in their list of best celebrity news presenters of the 2020s, noting his ease and confidence in reporting.[24]
On June 23, Bernardino signed a contract with Viva Films and Viva Artists Agency to expand his solo acting career.[5]
Public image
Bernardino has received media attention for challenging gender norms in rock music and fashion.[a] In July 2023, Filipino magazine Parcinq noted that his "fearless" fashion sense can be masculine, feminine, androgynous, high-fashion, or avant-garde depending on the occasion.[4] Ralph Regis of Billboard Philippines said that Bernardino brings "boldness" and gender fluidity to his clothing and makeup choices, such as pairing corsets with dress shirts.[26] In interviews with Metroscene and ABS-CBN Entertainment, he stated that he hopes to be a role model for younger fans who intend to pursue rock music as well, showing a male rock musician leaning into his feminine side despite pressures to perform hyper-masculinity.[25][27]
Musical styles and influences
Bernardino is known for his stage presence and playful personality in live performances with Cup of Joe. He sometimes adds spoken word parts to his songs.[29] Nylon Manila described his vocals as emotional and energetic, reflecting the sound of modern OPM pop rock.[29]
Bernardino cited OPM bands such as Eraserheads, Rivermaya, and Apo Hiking Society, also he recalled that he grew up singing ballads and frequently joined amateur competitions as a child. He was first exposed to karaoke hits by international pop musicians such as Celine Dion and Beyoncé. As a teenager, he started listening to OPM and became interested in pop rock, which later led him to try songwriting.[25]
Other ventures
In June 2025, Bernardino and his Cup of Joe bandmate Raphaell Ridao endorsed Filipino makeup brand Careline's Oil Control Face Powder.[30] In July, Bernardino joined Angat Buhay's relief operations to help communities affected by storms and the southwest monsoon ("habagat"), which caused flooding in different parts of the Philippines.[31]
Personal life
Discography
Albums
Extended plays
- Patutunguhan (2023)[34]
Singles
Note: The following are selected single songwriting credits featuring Gian Bernardino.
- "Nag-iisang Muli" (2019)
- "Sinderela" (2019)
- "Alas Dose" (2019)
- "Sagada" (2020)
- "Bukod-Tangi" (2020)
- "Estranghero" (2022)
- "Tingin" (with Janine Teñoso) (2023)
- "Misteryoso" (2024)
- "Sandali" (2025)
Filmography
Online/Digital
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025–present | G on Top | Himself | [15] |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Quaranthings The Series | Kulas | [35] |
Film
Music videos
| Year | Title | Artist | Note | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | "Misteryoso" | Cup of Joe | Lead role | [10][12] |
| 2025 | "Bagong Buwan" | J-Quinn | [13] | |
| "Sandali" | Cup of Joe | Directorial debut | [19] | |
| 2026 | "Sino Ang Tanga" | Maris Racal | [21][22] | |
Awards
| Award | Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hue Video Music Awards | 2025 | Vocalists of the Year | Gian Bernardino | Won | [38] |
