Gino Padilla

Gino Padilla Javate (born March 1, 1964) is a Filipino OPM singer and songwriter. He is popular for the songs "Gusto Kita", "Closer You and I", "Let the Love Begin", and for his version of "Why Can't It Be". He has also hosted and guested on several TV shows and also performed the English dub versions of the opening and closing themes of several Dragon Ball Z films.

Early life Padilla was born into a family of actors and politicians. His mother, Melanie Padilla, is a former actress. His father, Virgilio Javate, separated from his mother, remarried, and relocated to the US.

Career In 1986, Padilla started out on his music career. At the age of 22, he got the opportunity to go to Hollywood to film a Pepsi commercial with Tina Turner. The commercial led to other projects.

Padilla was then featured on the song "You've Got the Power" alongside Randy Santiago and Juan Miguel Salvador. It was written by Tats Faustino and Gary Valenciano for the film Ninja Kids. The success of Ninja Kids led to him and Santiago becoming the hosts of Triple Treat alongside Keno and Regine Velasquez. In 1987, he recorded the duet "Let the Love Begin" with female singer Rocky, a cover of the song by Jimmy Demers and Carol Sue Hill from the 1986 film Thrashin'.

In 1991, Padilla translated the Indonesian song "Sesaat Kau Hadir" by Utha Likumahuwa into Tagalog, with the title of "Gusto Kita". It became popular, and has since been covered by many artists. The following year, he recorded a jingle for a commercial of the toothpaste brand Close-Up. Titled "Closer You and I", it featured music by Louie Ocampo and lyrics by Gina Tabuena-Godinez. The jingle was eventually expanded into a full song due to popular demand. The song became a hit, earning him the Awit Awards for Best Ballad Recording and Song of the Year. Until now, Close-Up continues to use that song for its commercials, with Sponge Cola and Adie updating that song for newer generations. He also got to perform those songs alongside Age of Wonder and play the role of Goku for the Dragon Ball Z play Dragon Ball Z: Myth, Magic, and Music.

During the early 2000s, he appeared on collaboration albums and on the bestselling prayerbook "Presence, Prayers For Busy People". He also made appearances in Santiago's concerts and performed at the 2006 Luna Awards. In 2007, he released a new album Gino Padilla: Hands of Time, which was produced by Sharon Cuneta. Two years later, he released another album, Let Me Be The One, which features English OPM songs. He was also cast in the 2014 film adaptation of ABNKKBSNPLAko?!.

Padilla continues to do concerts with Santiago and other 80's OPM artists. In 2023, he performed for the 76th anniversary of the Philippine Air Force. He is set to have a concert alongside Neocolours and Pops Fernandez in 2025.

Personal life Gino is married to Concepcion Canno, the daughter of a general. They have two children. As a family, they own a security agency.

In 2002, his non-showbiz uncle, who was also named Gino Padilla, was kidnapped. Initially, news reports stated that the singer Gino Padilla was kidnapped. The singer Padilla assured the public that he was safe with his family. However, the uncle Padilla was murdered.

Awards and nominations +Key†Indicates non-competitive categories

Discography + Title Album details Certifications (sales thresholds) Shifting Gears Year: 1990 Label: WEA Silent Heart Year: 1994 Label: Universal Records Gino Padilla: Hands of Time The Power of Your Love: Only Selfless Love (Universal Records, 2002) Mga Misteryo ng Liwanag (2003) There's No Place Like Home (Wow Music, 2009)

Popular songs in chronological order Padilla's songs include:

1986 – "You've Got the Power" ft. Randy Santiago & Juan Miguel Salvador 1987 – "I Believe in You" 1987 – "Let the Love Begin" ft. Rocky 1991 – "Gusto Kita" 1992 – "Closer You and I" 2002 – "Power of Your Love" 2009 – "Kaya Natin Ito!" ft. Various Artists 2009 – "Why Can't It Be?"

Filmography

Film

Television