Celestine Cruz "Toni" Gonzaga (born January 20, 1984), better known as Toni Gonzaga, is a Filipino singer, television host, and actress. According to Forbes Asia, Gonzaga is the most powerful celebrity in the Philippines, having accumulated the most number of appearances on national television more than any other celebrity in the country.

Personal life

Toni Gonzaga is a resident of Taytay, Rizal and the eldest daughter of Carlito and Crisanta Gonzaga, who also acts as her talent manager. Her sister is Catherine Gonzaga, also known as Alex Gonzaga, who is also an actress and television host. In Taytay, she was an elected Barangay Kagawad for one term and a Sunday school teacher in Taytay United Methodist Church. She studied Mass Communication at the Dominican College in San Juan, Rizal for two years. Later, she transferred to the Asian Institute for Distance Education (AIDE) and shifted her course to AB English, which she wasn't able to finish due to her busy showbiz schedule. She is currently enrolled at the University of the Philippines Open University taking up her Bachelor's Degree in Multimedia Studies.

On February 1, 2015, Gonzaga announced her engagement to director Paul Soriano, her boyfriend of eight years, on The Buzz and they are scheduled to have their wedding within the year.

Career

Toni Gonzaga started in local entertainment at the age of 13. It was on 1997 where she joined a singing competition called "Tanghalan Ng Kampeon", which was then aired on GMA and hosted by Pilita Corales and Bert "Tawa" Marcelo. Two other Filipina singers, Kyla and Faith Cuneta, started their career on the singing competition television show. Gonzaga did not win the competition.

Gonzaga's biggest break in the entertainment industry was her Sprite TV ad with Piolo Pascual in 2001. In the same year, she released her eponymous debut album under Prime Music and "Paano", a cover of Gary Valenciano's, was released as its carrier single. In 2002, she became one of the main hosts in the long-time afternoon variety show Eat Bulaga. She also sung "Doon", the theme song of TAPE, Inc.'s afternoon TV drama on GMA, "Ikaw Sa Puso Ko" which starred StarStruck finalist, Nadine Samonte and Oyo Sotto. In 2002, she was cast in the primetime television series Habang Kapiling Ka starring Angelika dela Cruz. In March 2004, she joined Studio 23's Wazzup Wazzup with Archie Alemania and Vhong Navarro.

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