Angeline Quinto (born November 26, 1989) is a Filipino singer, actress, and television personality. Known for her vocal range and soulful singing style, Quinto's music has garnered critical praise for its lyrical content and themes of love, heartbreak, and empowerment. It has been featured in the soundtracks of films and television series in the Philippines.
Born in Sampaloc, Manila, Quinto first achieved recognition after winning the television talent show Star Power in 2011. She signed with Star Music and collaborated with songwriter and producer Jonathan Manalo to start recording material for her first effort, a self-titled studio album, which was supported by the single "Patuloy Ang Pangarap" ("The Dream Continues"). The album was certified double platinum by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry, and earned Quinto an Aliw Award for Best New Artist. Her next album, Fall In Love Again (2012), featured theme songs from films and television series. With Sana Bukas pa ang Kahapon (2014), Quinto became the first Filipino artist to record all the songs for a television show soundtrack. She reinvented her image and style with succeeding releases, Higher Love (2013) and @LoveAngelineQuinto (2017), gaining praise for her artistic growth and maturity.
Quinto made her feature film debut with a starring role in the romantic comedy Born to Love You (2012). She then played the lead in the drama series Kahit Konting Pagtingin (2013), winning a Golden Screen TV Award for Breakthrough Performance by an Actress. She received further acclaim for collaborations with filmmaker Joel Lamangan, the ensemble comedy That Thing Called Tanga Na (2016) and the comedy drama Foolish Love (2017). Quinto expanded her career into reality television as a panelist in the music game show I Can See Your Voice (2017) and as a mentor in the talent competition show Dream Maker (2022). Her accolades include four Awit Awards, two Box Office Entertainment Awards, and five Star Awards for Music.
Life and career
1989–2009: Early life and Star for a Night
Angeline Quinto was born on November 26, 1989, to Pop Quiros and Rosemarie Susan Mabao. She was adopted by her paternal grandaunt, Sylvia "Bob" Quinto, in Sampaloc, Manila. Initially resentful during her early childhood, Aquino later shared a close bond with her adoptive mother and credited her as instrumental to her achievements. Quinto began singing at age six. She listened to songs on the radio and would imitate the singing styles of female artists. At age nine, she participated in her first amateur singing competition.
The next few years, Quinto continued to compete in talent shows on television. At age twelve, she auditioned for the first season of the reality singing contest Star for a Night (2003). She advanced as one of the eleven grand finalists, and performed a cover of Wency Cornejo's "Habang May Buhay" ("As Long as There is Life") during the season finals. Quinto later recalled that her participation in the show was motivated by a desire to meet the program's host, Regine Velasquez, whom she considers as a musical influence. In 2005, she appeared in Magandang Tanghali Bayans Teen Pop Star search and became that season's winner. During this period, Quinto suffered from depression and thought of self-harm. She struggled academically in high school and was negatively influenced by her peers, eventually dropping out of school. Her family was beset by personal disagreements, which led her to take a break from singing to focus on her mental health.
2010–2012: Star Power and acting debut
After a five-year break from music, Quinto pursued singing and was part of a talent show in the variety program Diz Iz It! in 2010. A renewed interest led her to audition for the reality television series Star Power: Sharon's Search for the Next Female Pop Superstar that same year. During her appearances on the series, she was a senior in high school. Quinto won the competition on February 20, 2011, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. Looking back on Star Power in a 2019 interview, Quinto remarked that she considered the show her last effort towards working on her music career. Worried that she would remain obscure at the time, she contemplated pursuing a career in the culinary arts.