Rox Santos Explained

Rox Santos
Birth Name:Roque Balaoro Santos
Birth Date:8 October 1985
Birth Place:Manila, Philippines
Origin:Las Piñas, Philippines
Years Active:2007–present

Roque Balaoro Santos (born October 8, 1985), simply known as Rox Santos, is a Filipino songwriter and record producer based in Metro Manila, Philippines. Santos wrote songs and produced albums for various artists, including: Daniel Padilla, Regine Velasquez, Vina Morales, Vice Ganda, Ylona Garcia, Kaye Cal, Toni Gonzaga, Martin Nievera, Juris Fernandez, Erik Santos, Jed Madela, Angeline Quinto, and Jaya.[1]

Early life and education

Rox Santos was born in Manila, with most of his younger years spent in the city of Las Pinas. Rox grew up surrounded by music lovers, with his grandmother and some of his aunts, uncles, and cousins being musicians.

He later studied in Bicol University, the school where her aunt studied music. He graduated college in Bicol University with a bachelor's degree in BS Food Technology, he became a manager at a nutrition lab soon after. It was not until he met his friend and mentor Jonathan Manalo when his career in music began.[2]

Career

Santos started his career in music at ABS-CBN's Star Music as a project coordinator, a position Jonathan encouraged him to apply to.[3] Santos’ earliest project was the soundtrack album “May Bukas Pa: Conversations of Bro & Santino.” It featured songs from and inspired by the television show May Bukas Pa.[4]

He got his big break when ABS-CBN started developing a remake of the Mexican telenovela “Yo Soy Betty La Fea.”[5] He wrote and produced the theme song for the show, with show lead Bea Alonzo performing. Rox's compositions “Hanggang Kailan” performed by Michael Pangilinan (which he co-wrote with fellow songwriter Cynthia Roque) and Vice Ganda's “Boom Panes,” “Karakaraka,” “Push Mo Yan Teh” and “Wag Kang Pabebe” were all massive hits. He also penned "Ngayong Alam Ko Na" by Liezel Garcia and "Now We’re Together" by Bailey May of Now United. Rox's work with Padilla's albums (namely "DJP," "I Heart You,"[6] and "I Feel Good") were all certified.

Santos would also write songs for movies, television shows, and TV commercials. He wrote and produced "Akin Ka Na Lang" for local television drama "My Illegal Wife," "Karakaraka" for the film "Bromance" starring Zanjoe Marudo[7] and the theme for "The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin." He is behind the theme songs for "Annaliza," "The Love Story of Kang Chi," "Pretty Man," and "I Do" among others. Santos was named label head of the new Star Music sub-label called StarPop. Artists in said label includes Loisa Andalio, Maymay Entrata, Edward Barber, Patrick Quiroz, Ylona Garcia, Kyle Echarri, Maris Racal,[8] McCoy de Leon, Elisse Joson, Kisses Delavin, Rayt Carreon, Chard Ocampo, Andrea Brillantes, Vivoree Esclito, and the music and dance group The Hashtags.[9]

Discography

Songwriter Discography

Discography
YearArtistAlbumSongCo-Writer
2016Liezel GarciaLiezel GarciaGanito Ba Talaga
Tim PavinoTim PavinoI'd Do Anything
Michael PangilinanMichaelTanging Ligaya Ko
Jolina MagdangalBack To LoveSa Panaginip Lang
Angeline Quinto@LoveAngelineQuintoAwit Ng Pagibig
Ylona GarciaMy Name Is Ylona GarciaStop The Bully
Enchong DeeEDMHopia
Martin Nievera3D (Tatlong Dekada)Pag-ibig Ko’y Ikaw
Regine Velasquez and JurisPaskong Puno Ng KasiyahanPaskong Puno Ng Kasiyahan
Vina MoralesAwit Ng Ating BuhayBuhay Ko’y Ikaw
Toni GonzagaAll MeOnly With You
Angeline QuintoHigher LoveIkaw Ang Aking Mundo
Gimme 5Gimme 5Growing Up
Enchong DeeEnchong DeeTambalang OMG
Isip O Puso
Ai Ai Delas AlasADANandito Lang Ako
Ikaw At Ako Bagay Tayo
Alex GonzagaAlex GonzagaAyaw Na Kitang Boyfriend
Kim ChiuChinita PrincessExpress Yourself
Xian LimXL2Pag May Time
Marcelito PomoySplitPagmamahal
Bryan TermuloBryan TermuloKung Maibabalik
Lagay Ng Puso
2017 Vice GandaGandarrappido: The Revenger OSTGigil Si Aquo
Regine Velasquez30th Anniversary AlbumTaking Flight
Awra Clap Clap Clap AwraAwra
Vice GandaSingleHanggang Kailan Aasa
Vina MoralesVina Morales: 30th Anniversary AlbumLagay Ng PusoVina Morales
Eres Mio
Gimme 5SophomoreNapapangiti
Angeline Quinto@LoveAngelineQuintoAwit Ng Pagibig
JonaJonaAno, Bakit, Paano
KlarisseKlarisseEto Na Naman Tayo
Migz Haleco and Kaye CalThisBintana Ng Langit
2018JayaJayaHanggang Dito Nalang
Patrick QuirozPatrick QuirozIkaw Parin
Erik SantosYour LoveDon't Go
Jed Madela featuring BoybandPHJed MadelaBe With You Again

Songs Written For Movies

Songs Written For Television

Albums Produced Under Star Music PH

Albums Produced Under Starpop

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Star Music's Producer-Songwriter Rox Santos Marks His 10th Year in the Music Scene. November 28, 2017. Random Republika.
  2. Web site: Rox Santos, ABS-CBN's in-house pride. The Philippine STAR.
  3. Web site: Meet underrated producer-songwriter Rox Santos. entertainment.inquirer.net.
  4. Web site: May bukas pa (TV Series 2009–2010). IMDb.
  5. Web site: Bea Alonzo: Betty la Fea was the hardest role. 2014-06-09.
  6. Web site: Daniel Padilla receives Double platinum award for I.
  7. Web site: Zanjoe happily gay in Bromance. The Philippine STAR.
  8. Web site: LOOK: Maris shines in launch for album 'Stellar'.
  9. Web site: Loisa Andalio on her upcoming album: 'Sigurado ako makakarelate kayo sa mga kanta' | PUSH.COM.PH: Your ultimate showbiz hub!.
  10. Web site: McLisse releases their debut album this Sunday. November 25, 2017.
  11. Web site: LOOK: Maris shines in launch for album 'Stellar'. ABS-CBN. News. ABS-CBN News.
  12. Web site: Ronnie Alonte, todo suporta sa album launch ni Loisa Andalio. ABS-CBN. News. ABS-CBN News.