KATRINA VELARDE
Singer | Dancer | Actress | Internet Sensation
BACKGROUND
Katrina Velarde began her singing career as an “Amaturista”, joining contest after contest at the tender age of 7. Although financial difficulties forced her to support herself through school and find ways to help her younger siblings, she kept a positive outlook in life, thanks to music. She later met Jennifer Maravilla and Alyssa Kate Quijano and formed “New Born Divas” to join a TV singing contest. In 2011, they made it to TV5’s “Talentadong Pinoy,” one of the most popular talent competitions during its time. “New Born Divas” was named the show’s 11th Hall of Famer. When New Born Divas disbanded, Katrina went on to audition as a solo singer in “The X Factor Philippines” in 2012, eventually becoming part of an all-female singing group known as “A.K.A. Jam” and was mentored by Gary Valenciano. The following year, she remained with the group and went on to compete in It’s Showtime’s BIDA Kapamilya placing second. They went on as a four-piece and were guest performers in “Tuesdays with Gary,” eventually becoming his backup singers. Unbeknownst to the young singer, viral fame was just around the corner.
More popularly known as Suklay Diva, Katrina grew online fame because of her viral video singing a cover of Beyonce’s “Dangerously In Love” with the use of a simple plastic comb as a microphone. Katrina was likewise named Best Female Vocalist of the week on the website worldhiphop.com with the same song causing Chris Brown to retweet her video. The video also caught the attention of Bibi McGill, lead guitarist and musical director of Beyoncé's band, retweeting the video and commenting about her admiration for Katrina's rendition of the song.
But there’s more to Katrina than singing. She joined TV5’s weekly drama series “Trenderas” and was even nominated for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance by an Actress at the 2015 Golden Screen Awards. She also guested in GMA News’ lifestyle show “MARS,” “Gandang Gabi Vice,” “The Mega and the Songwriter,” among others. When it comes to dancing, Katrina’s appearances in “ASAP 29” and “It’s Showtime” have helped her hone her skills. She has been part of concerts of Gary V, allowing her to watch and learn from Mr. Pure Energy himself.
Singing remains Katrina’s core, however. Her talent has brought her to Hong Kong, California, and New Jersey. In 2013 she was featured on the track “Pananagutan,” the theme song of the dramas series “Honesto.” Katrina also shared her singing talent in Gary V’s albums “He Is Enough” and “Overjoyed” and “Got to be Real,” as well as the Christmas album of “The X Factor Philippines.” She is also well known for covering the hits of international divas and local singing idols, as well as her impersonations which landed her a stint on GMA 7’s Superstar Duets in 2016.
She is currently being co-managed by Viva Artist Agency and has since released two singles, “Taksil” and “Lason Mong Halik” in 2017 while regularly doing corporate and live gigs. In 2018 Katrina took the ASAP stage by storm in ASAP Versus where she participated in a showcase of vocal prowess against the Ethereal Diva, Laarni Lozada.
Katrina was also chosen to interpret the PhilPop 2018 finalist, “Tama Na” which she also performed live during the grand finals. At present Katrina is gearing up for her first major concert entitled SiKat Ako which is scheduled for February of this year.
LIVE PERFORMANCES
Gary V Tour (Cache Creek, Vancouver) - Sept. & Oct. 2017
Gary V US Tour (Las Vegas, Pechanga, & Pasadena) - May & June, 2017
Musichall at Metrowalk - April 2017 – present
Gary V Presents Season Finale (Theatre, Solaire MNL) - May 2017
Wish FM 107.9 - Feb. 2017
Historia - Sept. 2016
Deca Homes - Oct. 2016
City of Dreams - Sept. - Nov. 2016, Jan. - Feb. & July-Aug. 2017
Gary V Presents - Oct., Nov., Dec 2015 & July 2016
APEC Appreciation dinner- Nov 2015
#SETLIST- Sept, Oct & Nov 2015
Mega Wealth Information Technologies Christmas Party - Dec 2015
Next Attraction - July & Aug 2015
Sunlife Event - July 2015
Next Attraction - July/August 2015
CONG. JALOSJOS BDAY in Dipolog City - Sept 2015
Gary Valenciano “ARISE” Major Concert (April 11 & 12, 2014)
Philippine Airlines Awards 2014 (April 4, 2014)
Gary Valenciano With You Album Launch (March 15, 2014)
Gary Valenciano Lyceum of the Philippines Laguna (February 22, 2014)
Gary Valenciano Lyceum of the Philippines Batangas (February 21, 2014)
PLDT Anniversary (November 22, 2013)
Robinson’s Imus, Cavite Mall show (November 16, 2013)
INAECS Aviation 20th Anniversary (November 12,2013)
PMPC Star Awards For Music (October 13,2013)
Gabi ng Parangal ng Quezon City (October 12,2013)
Gary Valenciano “Victory For The Next Generation” ( October 3, 2013)
Tuesday’s With Gary (August – November,2013)
Gary Valenciano “Just For You” Mall Show (August 30,2013)
PBCC 30th Anniversary (August 29, 2013)
Ignite Gospel Music Festival (August 21,2013)
Candy’s Be U (January 25 & 26, 2013)
Amaia Land (August 1,2013)
Jollibee Franchisees Convention (July 12, 2013)
Suysing Anniversary (June 30, 2013)
Robinson’s Land Corp. Robinson’s Bacolod Mall Show (May 18,2013)
Robinson’s Land Corp .”Robinson’s Metroeast mall Show (May 17,2013)
Robinson’s Land Corp. Robinson’s Lipa Batangas Mall Show (May 15,2013)
Bangon Pilipinas Campaign ( May 11,2013)
Robinson’s Land Corp. 3rd Year Employees Awarding ( May 2, 2013)
State Luncheon For A Visiting Head of State, Malacanang Palace (April 16,2013)
Rodeo Festival, Masbate City (April 10,2013)
Robinson’s Land Corp. Sta. Rosa Market, Laguna (March 17, 2013)
Robinson’s Land Corp. “Robinson’s Novaliches Mall Show (March 16, 2013)
Robinson’s Land Corp. “ Dasmarinas Cavite Mall Show - (March 15,2013)
Pasig Catholic School’s Centennial Celebration (February 23, 2013)
Robinson’s Land Corp. “Romance At The Robinson’s Mall” (February 15,2013)
First Vita Plus (January 8, 2013)
Coca-Cola Company Christmas Party (December 14, 2012)
Lopez’s Christmas Party (December 12,2012)
Just For You Album Launch (November 17, 2012)
Robinson’s Magnolia Christmas Tree Lighting (November 9, 2012)
X-Factor Philippines (March – October 2012)
Talentadong Pinoy (2010)
Idol (Musical Teleserye / ABS CBN) (2009)
Diz Iz It GMA 7 (2009)
Little Big Star ABS CBN (2006)
NOMINATION
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance by an Actress Golden Screen Awards– 2015
TV APPEARANCES
ASAP - September 2017
Unang Hirit - September 2017
Bet Mo Ba - July 2017
#LIKE Grand Winner – 2016
Superstar Duets – 2016
Mars - July 2016
Unang Hirit - June 2016
Gandang Gabi Vice - Oct 2015
John Santos Show - Sept 2015
Tonight with Arnold Clavio – 2015
ASAP 20 - Aug 2015
Wattpad (TV5) 2015
Trenderas (TV5) May 2014 - December 2014
ASAP 19 (ABS CBN) January 26, 2014
Top 10 X Factor Philippines
Kris TV (ABS CBN) – January 11, 2014
The Mega and the Songwriter (TV 5) October 9, 2013
Showtime (ABS CBN) July 27 & October 3, 2013
ASAP 18 (ABS CBN) – April 14, 2013
Eat Bulaga (Let’s Sing Eat) (2009)
INTERNATIONAL SHOWS
Smart Communications Christmas Party (Hong Kong, China) - December 10, 2014
Gary V Live in Taj Mahal (Atlantic City, New Jersey) - September 20, 2014
Gary Valenciano Live in Harrah’s Rincon Casino & Resort, San Diego, California (February 13, 2014) Gary Valenciano Live in Chumash Casino Resort, Sta. Barbara, California (February 7, 2014)
RECORDING EXPERIENCE
Viva Music: Lason Mong Halik - December 2016, Taksil - June 2017
“Pananagutan” - Honesto Theme Song / Katrina Velarde
“He is Enough” - Gary V Album
“Overjoyed” - Gary V Sings Just For You Album
“Got To Be Real” - X Factor Phil’s Album Xmas Song 1
ACHIEVEMENTS
15 million views on Viral Video for “Hello” on Facebook
4 million life time views on Youtube
80,000 Subscribers on Youtube