Maria Kristina Cassandra "KC" Cuneta Concepcion (Tagalog pronunciation: [kuˈnɛtɐ kɔnsɛpˈʃon]; born April 7, 1985) is a Filipino actress, singer, dancer, TV host, entrepreneur, socialite, and humanitarian. She has starred in films For The First Time (2008) and When I Met U (2009), and television series such as Lovers in Paris (2009), Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala (2013) and Ikaw Lamang (2014).
KC Concepcion | |
|---|---|
 Concepcion at her US concert press conference, November 2010 | |
| Born | Maria Kristina Cassandra Cuneta Concepcion April 7, 1985 Manila, Philippines |
| Alma mater | American University of Paris |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, singer, songwriter, celebrity endorser, model, host, dancer |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Agent |
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| Parents |
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| Relatives | Pablo Cuneta (grandfather) Tito Sotto (granduncle) Helen Gamboa (great-aunt) Gian Sotto (uncle) Ciara Sotto (aunt) Gary Valenciano (step-uncle) Gab Valenciano (step-cousin) Frankie Pangilinan (half-sister) Donny Pangilinan (step-cousin) |
She is often dubbed as the "Mega Daughter", in reference to her mother Sharon Cuneta's honorific as the "Megastar". She is also the first National Ambassador Against Hunger of the United Nations' World Food Programme.[1] She is also the new ambassador[2] of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines. In addition, she also sang in the 2011 SEA Games opening production along with the Agnez Mo and Jaclyn Victor held in Indonesia.[3]
Early life and education
editConcepcion is born on April 7, 1985 in Manila, Philippines. She is the daughter of singer-actress Sharon Cuneta and actor Gabby Concepcion, and the stepdaughter of former senator Francis Pangilinan following her mother's second marriage. She reconnected with her father after thirteen years since her parents' annulment and his immigration to the United States in 1995.[4]
She graduated grade school at Saint Pedro Poveda College in Mandaluyong. In 2003, she graduated from the International School Manila, and in 2007, graduated with a bachelor's degree in International Corporate Communications with a minor in Theatre Arts from the American University of Paris.[5]
Career
editConcepcion made several guest appearances in her mother's concerts and television shows. In 2003, she became a product endorser both on television and in print ads. She started her career with global franchise MTV as an MTV Asia VJ.
As World Food Programme's Philippine ambassador, she shared the stage with Bill Clinton in 2008 to present the former US leader's foundation its commitment to feed more people in impoverish countries.[6]
In 2009, she starred in the Philippine remake of her first primetime drama series, Lovers in Paris. In 2010, she returned to do a film with Star Cinema with her first movie with her father, Gabby Concepcion, for Father's Day, I'll Be There, directed by Maryo J. de los Reyes. In her 2010 studio album titled KC, she sang "Girl Most Likely To" by Skye Sweetnam from the soundtrack of Mattel's 2006 film The Barbie Diaries. In the same year, she joined Star Magic but after a year, she left and joined Viva Artist Agency, a talent management of Viva Entertainment.
On the April 11, 2010 episode of The Buzz, it was announced that Concepción had been chosen to be the replacement co-host after Ruffa Gutierrez's departure.[7] She was also featured on the cover of Cosmopolitan Mexico. In 2011, she made another film with Star Cinema, a romantic, drama film Forever and a Day.
In 2012, she hosted the first and only season of The X Factor Philippines. She was also featured in USA's Complex Magazine as one of The 25 Sexiest International Actresses.[8]
In 2013, she starred in her first lead antagonist role in Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala. In 2014, she starred a lead role as Natalia in the second season of the period drama series Ikaw Lamang. In 2015, she starred in an episode of ABS-CBN Christmas anthology series Give Love on Christmas. She was named one of GQ India's Hottest Actresses Around the World[9]. In 2016, she returned as the host in Binibining Pilipinas 2016 with actor Xian Lim. She previously hosted the 2011 edition of Binibining Pilipinas five years ago with actor Derek Ramsay. She took a step back from showbiz for a while to focus as being the UN Ambassador of World Food Programme for Hunger and made an online shop website KC's Closet and reached ₱1,000,000 and being donated in Public School in Maguindanao.
In 2019, Concepcion was the first Filipina celebrity to represent global brand Shiseido as an ambassador and endorser.[10]
In February 2020, she signed an exclusive management contract with Cornerstone Entertainment.[11]
Music
edit2008–2009: a.k.a Cassandra
editIn 2008, Concepción released her first studio album on July 15, 2008, entitled "a.k.a Cassandra", on the Sony BMG Philippines label, which ranked number 1 based on the total album sales in all Odyssey Record Bar branches nationwide. In fact, 1,102 copies of the album were sold in all Odyssey branches alone. KC Concepción made Philippine music history with her lead single "Imposible" during that year. KC has the most number of music downloads in the Philippines in the same year, which marked 1 million downloads online. KC Concepción thought that she would just perform her newest single, "Doo Be Doo", on the noontime TV show Wowowee on ABS-CBN Channel 2 on November 15, 2008. However, she was surprised when she was given a Platinum Record Award for her album "a.k.a. Cassandra".
In 2010, Concepcion released her Second Studio Album entitled KC, KC ranked number 3 based on OPM charts, in Astrovision Stores the album KC reached number 1. KC was launched on ASAP XV. KC was released on March 24, 2010, under the Sony Music label. she also set KC Mall Tour to promote KC album.
Acting
editTheater
edit- 2003, The Little Mermaid[12]
- 2005, Beauty and the Beast[12]
- 2008, Katy, the Musical Concert[13]
Personal life
editConcepcion had previously dated Rivermaya frontman Rico Blanco from 2003 to 2005. She also briefly dated director Lino Cayetano in 2007.[14]
Her first highly-publicized relationship was with actor Piolo Pascual. The two worked together in the 2009 television series Lovers In Paris. They ended their relationship in 2011.[15]
She also dated actor Paulo Avelino, who confirmed their romance in a 2015 interview, having previously revealed that he had been courting her in 2013. They briefly worked in an episode of ABS-CBN's Christmas anthology series Give Love on Christmas.[16] She also dated Filipino-American footballer Aly Borromeo from 2017 to 2018. The two reunited in October 2024 at one of Borromeo's football games.[17]
Concepcion last reported relationship is with Swiss businessman Steve Michael Wuethrich.[18]
In May 2024, her mother, veteran actress Sharon Cuneta, publicly admitted that she and Concepcion were estranged, though Concepcion later posted a vlog where she paid tribute to Cuneta on Mother’s Day, despite their reported estrangement.[19][20]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Film Company | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | For the First Time | Sophia Carmina Sandoval | Star Cinema | |
| 2009 | When I Met U | Jenny | GMA Films Regal Entertainment |
|
| 2010 | I'll Be There | Maxi/Mina dela Cerna | Star Cinema | |
| 2011 | Forever and a Day | Raffy | Star Cinema | |
| 2013 | Boy Golden: Shoot to Kill, the Arturo Porcuna Story | Marla "Marla Dy" De Guzman | Scenema Concept International, Inc Viva Films |
[21][22][23] |
| 2023 | Asian Persuasions | Avery Chua | Jhett Tolentino Productions Film Emporium HBG Casting |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003–2005 | MTV Philippines | VJ | MTV Philippines |
| 2006–2010 | Sharon | Guest Host | ABS-CBN |
| 2007 | KC from Paris to Pinas (Documentary) | Herself | |
| 2007–2016 | ASAP | Host/Performer | |
| 2008 | I Am KC | Various Roles | |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya: Mansyon | Darlene | ||
| 2009 | May Bukas Pa | Abigail Lorraine "Abby" Cruz | |
| Lovers In Paris | Vivian Vizcarra | ||
| 2010–2011 | The Buzz[24] | Host | |
| 2010 | Wowowee | Guest Host | |
| Simply KC | Host | ||
| Star Circle Quest: The Search for the Next Kiddie Superstars | Host | ||
| 2011 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Piyesa | Angeline Quinto | |
| Binibining Pilipinas 2011 | Host | ||
| 100 Days to Heaven | Tagabantay (street sweeper) | ||
| Wansapanataym: Christmas Caroline | Caroline | ||
| 2012 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Liham | Aurora | |
| The X Factor Philippines | Host | ||
| 28th PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Host | ||
| 2013 | Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala | Alexis Ganzon | |
| 2013–2016 | Kris TV | Recurring Host | |
| 2014 | Ikaw Lamang (Book 2) | Natalia Miravelez Hidalgo | |
| 2015 | Give Love on Christmas: The Exchange Gift | Anna Cabrera | |
| 41st Metro Manila Film Festival | Host | ||
| 2016 | Binibining Pilipinas 2016 | Host |
Discography
edit
Studio albumsedit
Soundtrackedit
|
Awards and recognitions
edit| Year | Award-Giving Body | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1st Supreme to the Extreme Awards (Philippine Star) | Collaboration of the year with (Richard Gutierrez) with (Mark Nicdao) | For the First Time | Won |
| — | Nominated | |||
| She Supreme Award for (Best Actress) | Won | |||
| 4th ASAP Pop Viewers' Choice Awards 2008 | Pop Love Team with (Richard Gutierrez) | For the First Time | Nominated | |
| Pop Female Performance | Nominated | |||
| Pop Movie | Nominated | |||
| Pop Movie Theme Song | Nominated | |||
| 2009 | 3rd Gawad Genio Awards | Best Film Debut Performer | Won | |
| 25th PMPC Star Awards for Movies | New Movie Actress of the Year | Won | ||
| 6th ENPRESS Golden Screen Awards | Breakthrough Performance by an Actress | Won | ||
| 40th GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards[25] | Princess of Philippine Movies & TV | Won | ||
| Most Promising Female Star of Movies & TV | Won | |||
| New Female Recording Artist of the Year (Promising Singer) | A.k.a Cassandra | Won | ||
| 11th Gawad Pasado Awards | Pasadong Kabataan | — | Won | |
| 5th ASAP Pop Viewers' Choice Awards | Pop Female Fashionista | — | Nominated | |
| 2011 | 25th PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Talent Search Program Host | Star Circle Quest: The Search for the Next Kiddie Superstars | Nominated |
| Best Celebrity Talk Show Host | Simply KC | Nominated | ||
| Female Face of the Night | — | Won | ||
| 2012 | 28th PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Female Star of the Night | — | Won |
| Yahoo! OMG! Awards | Celebrity of the Year | — | Nominated | |
| ASAP Pop Viewers Choice Awards | Pop Female Fashionista | — | Nominated | |
| Pop Cover Girl | — | Nominated | ||
| 30th Luna Awards | Best Actress | Forever and a Day | Nominated | |
| 26th PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Female TV Host | ASAP 2012 | Nominated | |
| Best Female Celebrity Showbiz-Oriented Talk Show Host | The Buzz | Nominated | ||
| Fabulous Body of the Night | — | Won | ||
| 2013 | 27th PMPC Star Awards for TV[26] | Best Drama Supporting Actress | Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala | Won |
| Best Talent Search Program Host | The X-Factor Philippines | Nominated | ||
| 39th Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Festival Actress | Boy Golden: Shoot to Kill, the Arturo Porcuna Story | Nominated | |
| 2014 | 30th PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Movie Actress of the Year | Boy Golden: Shoot to Kill, the Arturo Porcuna Story | Won |
| Darling of the Press | — | Nominated | ||
| 62nd FAMAS Awards | Best Actress | Boy Golden: Shoot to Kill, the Arturo Porcuna Story | Won | |
| Female Star of the Night | — | Won | ||
| 28th PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Drama Supporting Actress | Ikaw Lamang | Won | |
| 2015 | 31st PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Darling of the Press | — | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ "WFP National Ambassador Against Hunger KC Concepcion Reflects On Africa Visit". World Food Programme. January 26, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ "Hello, Panda! KC Concepcion officially joins the Panda Family as the newest WWF-PH Ambassador". Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- ^ "KC in Indonesia for SEA Games". ABS-CBN. November 10, 2011. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
- ^ San Diego Jr., Bayani (August 26, 2006). "When KC met Gabby (again)". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ "When KC met Gabby (again)". ABS-CBN News. December 21, 2017. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
- ^ "KC, Bill Clinton together on stage for World Food Program". ABS-CBN News. December 4, 2008. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- ^ "KC Concepcion Starts Work". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
- ^ "The 25 Sexiest International Actresses You Haven't Heard Of". Complex. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- ^ "KC Concepcion named one of GQ India's Hottest Actresses Around The World – CHISMS.net". August 16, 2015. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- ^ Corp, ABS-CBN. "Filipina Pride: KC Concepcion Is The First Pinay Ambassador To Represent Shiseido". Metro.Style. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- ^ "KC Concepcion inks deal with Cornerstone". ABS-CBN News. February 4, 2020.
- ^ a b "KC Concepcion in The Little Mermaid". Archived from the original on April 13, 2009. Retrieved May 28, 2009.
- ^ Garcia, Rose (December 13, 2008). "KC Concepcion returns to the stage via multi-media musical "Katy"". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on February 16, 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ "KC Concepcion and her 6 celebrity ex-boyfriends". KAMI. August 15, 2018.
- ^ "KC Concepcion on breakup with Piolo in 2011: 'I regret that we had to end'". GMA News. September 2, 2020.
- ^ "Paulo Avelino admits he had relationship with KC Concepcion". Philstar. March 16, 2015.
- ^ Pasajol, Anne (October 11, 2024). "KC Concepcion reunites with ex-boyfriend Aly Borromeo". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ Severo, Jan Milo (April 24, 2024). "KC Concepcion shuts down rumored breakup with Swiss boyfriend". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ "Sharon Cuneta describes relationship with KC Concepcion as 'estranged'". ABS-CBN News. May 12, 2024.
- ^ "KC Concepcion honors mom Sharon Cuneta on Mother's Day". ABS-CBN News. May 13, 2024.
- ^ "ER Ejercito returns to MMFF as 'Boy Golden'". ABS-CBN News. ABS-CBN Corporation. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
- ^ "'Kaleidoscope World,' 'Boy Golden' join 2013 MMFF lineup". SunStar. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
- ^ "KC Concepcion has the same martial arts instructor as Angelina Jolie". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
- ^ Alvares, Trisha (April 6, 2010). "KC Concepcion accepts The Buzz hosting job". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on August 12, 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ "40th Box Office Entertainment Awards given out". Pep.ph. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
- ^ PMPC announces nominees of the 27th PMPC Star Awards for Television, LionhearTV 27th PMPC Star Awards For TV 2013 Complete List of Winners, Entervrexworld
