After making his mark as the lead vocalist of breakout OPM band Cup of Joe, Gian Bernardino is embarking on a new chapter in his career, officially joining Viva Artists Agency and Viva Films as he pursues his childhood dream of becoming an actor while continuing his music career.
During a press conference, the singer shared that acting had always been his first ambition.
“I think every child dreams of seeing themselves on television. As the only child of an OFW who grew up in Qatar, watching TV became my escape while we were adjusting to life there. I even dreamed of joining ‘Goin’ Bulilit.’ Even before I discovered that I wanted to be a performer, I already wanted to become an actor,” Bernardino said.
Although opportunities in music came first, Bernardino said the timing now feels right to explore another side of his artistry after years of building Cup of Joe into one of the country’s most successful bands.
“It feels like the perfect time. I believe we’ve already achieved so much in music, and now I want to expand my artistry by entering film. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, so I’m really grateful that this opportunity has finally come.”
Despite venturing into acting, Bernardino was quick to assure fans that Cup of Joe remains his top priority. The band continues to have a packed schedule, including tours and upcoming projects.
“One advantage is that both my music and film careers are under one company, so there’s full transparency when it comes to my schedule. It will definitely be hectic, but I don’t think it will become a conflict. It will be challenging, but I know we can make it work.”
Bernardino said his fellow Cup of Joe members immediately supported his decision to branch out into acting.
“As a group, we all have dreams outside of music. It just so happens that my other dream is still within the entertainment industry. Of course, we also want to make sure any scheduling conflicts are minimized so we can continue giving our best as a band.”
Asked what kind of actor he hopes to become, Bernardino shared he is drawn to psychological thrillers rather than comedy, despite becoming popular online for his humorous personality.
“People probably know me more for comedy because of what I do online, so I’d actually like to move away from that first and show another side of myself. But whatever role comes my way, I’ll prepare for it. I really want to learn and grow as an actor.”
Among the artists he dreams of working with are fellow Viva stars Anne Curtis and Sarah Geronimo, whom he considers one of his biggest inspirations.
“Sarah Geronimo started out as a singer and then expanded her artistry through film and television. I’d love to experience that kind of growth as an artist as well.”
As his profile continues to rise both as a musician and now as a solo artist, Bernardino acknowledged that fame has brought significant changes to his life, including the challenge of protecting his privacy while staying grounded.
“There are times when I get tired because of everything that comes with this life, but I’ll never get tired of doing what I love. I always remind myself why I dreamed about this in the first place. I know this career is physically, mentally and emotionally demanding, but I never want to become the kind of person who complains after finally achieving something I prayed so hard for. It’s difficult, but remembering why I started keeps me going.”
Looking back on his journey, Bernardino chose Cup of Joe’s “Isang Daan” as the song that best captures where he is today, saying its message reflects the leap of faith he continues to take.
“The song is about having a hundred reasons to doubt yourself or to be afraid of taking a risk. But eventually, you realize there’s only one way to find out. That’s exactly what our journey has been. We sacrificed a lot and chose this path without knowing where it would lead us. We didn’t let those hundred reasons stop us. We simply took that one road and kept moving forward,” Bernardino ended.