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Geneva Cruz

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Geneva Cruz
Born
Geneva Mendoza Cruz

(1976-04-02) April 2, 1976 (age 50)
OriginTondo, Manila, Philippines
Genres
OccupationsSinger, songwriter, dancer, actress, model
InstrumentsVocals, guitar
Years active1989–present
Formerly ofSmokey Mountain
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1995; ann. 2001)​
​
​
(m. 2004; div. 2012)​
RelativesSheryl Cruz (cousin)
Donna Cruz (cousin)
Sunshine Cruz (cousin)
Rayver Cruz (cousin)
Rodjun Cruz (cousin)
Tirso Cruz III (uncle)
Ricky Belmonte (uncle)
Military career
Allegiance Philippines
Branch
 Philippine Air Force
Air Force Reserve Command
Service years
2023–present
Rank
Sergeant

Geneva Mendoza Cruz (Tagalog pronunciation: [ˈkɾus]; born April 2, 1976) is a Multiplatinum Filipino singer and actress known for her songs "Anak ng Pasig" ("Child of Pasig River") and "Kailan" ("When"). She was discovered and mentored by National Artist of the Philippines for Music, Ryan Cayabyab who formed the music group Smokey Mountain, of which she was a member. In 2020, Cruz moved back to Manila in the Philippines, from the United States, where she worked as a weight-loss coach for a few years.

On March 9, 2022, Cruz earned the rank of sergeant under the Philippine Air Force Reserve Command after she graduated from its military training.[1]

Early life

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Geneva Mendoza Cruz was born in Gagalangin, Tondo, Manila. One of the great-granddaughters of Tirso Cruz Sr., her relatives include actors Tirso Cruz III, Sunshine Cruz, Sheryl Cruz, and Donna Cruz.[2]

Cruz first married Paco Arespacochaga, with whom she had a son, Heaven. After declaration of nullity, she married KC Montero. After their 10-year marriage, she dated non-showbiz partners Nikolaus Booth and Lee Paulsen, the latter of which she had a daughter, London, born on May 10, 2014.[3] In May 2024, Cruz and Montero joined It's Showtime's "EXpecially for You".[4]

In 2024, Cruz enrolled in the Bachelor of Business Administration course at Philippine Christian University. She studied Bachelor of Literature at the University of Santo Tomas.[5]

Career

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Cruz began her career in 1989 as one of the lead singers of the vocal music group Smokey Mountain.[2] The album Smokey Mountain went double platinum.[citation needed] She also represented the Philippines in 1992 at "The Voice of Asia" in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, Russia, where she won gold and became the Grand Champion, of which she was and still is, the youngest ever to win the title.[citation needed] Cruz's first solo album, I Like You, went double platinum and included several hit songs, including the title track and "Anak ng Pasig" (from the film of the same title) in which Geneva appeared.[citation needed] "Anak ng Pasig" was also chosen as Best Pop Song by the 1992 Catholic Mass Media Awards.[citation needed] Her second solo album In the Name of Love went platinum and included hits like "Ang Gaan ng Feeling" and "In the Name of Love".[citation needed]

Cruz's most recent album was released in August 2013 entitled To Manila. She moved back to Manila, Philippines in 2023 to pursue acting and continue performing worldwide. Aside from singing and acting, Cruz also dances and plays the guitar. In 2026, Cruz was among the 20 selected "lucky stars" in the ABS-CBN game show Kapamilya Deal or No Deal, and was chosen as a contestant in the episode aired September 5. At the end of the game, the board contained the final two amounts of ₱50 and the ₱1 million top prize, and the final banker's offer was ₱333,000. Cruz declined the final offer, and ended up winning the former amount of ₱50 for her charity.[6]

Personal life

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Cruz dated former MTV VJ KC Montero in 1999 and they were married from 2004 until 2010.[2]

On May 10, 2014, Cruz gave birth to a baby girl named London Lee Cruz (with her ex-fiancé) and is currently living in Manila, Philippines, with her. Her son Heaven Arespacochaga, with musician Paco Arespacochaga, resides in Los Angeles, California and is a rapper and songwriter that goes by the name HEAVENKNEW.[7]

Cruz has been a long-time environmentalist and an animal rights advocate.[8]

In 2013, Cruz joined the PETA campaign to free Mali, an elephant currently in captivity at the Manila Zoo, and have her transferred to Boon Lott's elephant sanctuary in Thailand. She posed for a photoshoot with Sanya Smith, Amanda Griffin, Ornussa Cadness, Mia Ayesa, Julia Sniegowski, Sheena Vera Cruz and Daiana Menezes, all of whom were asking for Mali to be freed.[9]

Filmography

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Film

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YearTitleRole
1992Anak ng Pasig
1993Secret LoveCarmina
1995Campus GirlsDiane
I Love You SabadoBand member
2001Weyt a Minit, Kapeng MainitJoy
2002Burles King (Daw O...)!Jessica
Walang Iba Kundi IkawAbril
2020Coming Home

Television

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YearTitleRole
1995–2001ASAPHerself / performer / host
1999–2001Bingo FilipinoHerself
2001–2002Ikaw Lang ang MamahalinMelody
2004MulawinHaraya
2005Bubble GangHerself / guest
2006Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas Sari-a
2011PNP Pacers
Survivor Philippines: Celebrity ShowdownCastaway
2020I Can See Your Voice (season 2)Guest singer / contestant
I Can See Your Voice (season 3)Guest singer / contestant (with Jeffrey Hidalgo)
2021Your Face Sounds Familiar (season 3)Herself / contestant
2022Little PrincessOdessa Hidalgo-Montivano
Tadhana: The StepdaughterBetty
Wish Ko Lang: TitaMatet
Tadhana: IsabellaElvira Reyes
2023Wish Ko Lang: Lihim ni MisterJenny
Tadhana: PangarapTessie
Walang Matigas na Pulis sa Matinik na MisisIris "Mrs. Virus" Dehado
2024Abot-Kamay na PangarapIrene Castro-Benitez
Lilet Matias: Attorney-at-Law
2025Rainbow RumbleHerself / contestant
2026Born to ShineSugar Halari-Chua (guest cast)
Kapamilya Deal or No DealHerself (Briefcase Number 17) / contestant

Discography

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Albums

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  • Smokey Mountain
  • I Like You
  • In the Name of Love
  • On Fire!
  • Geneva
  • To Manila

Singles

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  • "Sinungaling" (2021)

Awards

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  • Catholic Mass Media Awards – Best song for "Anak ng Pasig"[10]

References

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  1. ↑ Chavez, Yong (July 26, 2016). "GENEVA CRUZ IS FEELING FABULOUS AT 40". Balitang America. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 Conception, Pocholo (April 28, 2008). "Geneva finds her roots". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on January 9, 2009. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  3. ↑ Chua, EJ (March 7, 2024). "Geneva Cruz's wonderful moments with her beautiful daughter London". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  4. ↑ Evangelista, Jessica Ann (May 4, 2024). "Geneva Cruz cries at reunion with KC Montero on 'It's Showtime'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on May 4, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Geneva Cruz, balik-kolehiyo: 'There's no such thing as being too late". GMA Integrated News. August 15, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  6. ↑ "BINI Gwen, nakaranas na nga ba ng 'HEART BREAK'? | Kapamilya Deal Or No Deal". ABS-CBN. Retrieved September 5, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Geneva Cruz is engaged again". ABS-CBN News. August 19, 2014. Archived from the original on September 22, 2014. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Geneva Cruz strips anew". ABS-CBN News. August 17, 2009. Archived from the original on August 20, 2009. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  9. ↑ "Models bare bodies for ailing elephant Mali | Lifestyle: InterAksyon.com". Archived from the original on August 1, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  10. ↑ Jose G. Burgos; Jose Mari Chan (2003). CMMA, 1978–2003: 25 years of Philippine mass media through the eyes of CMMA. Catholic Mass Media Awards Foundation. ISBN 978-971-92807-1-2.
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