Gian Bernardino

Gian Bernardino
Bernardino performing with Cup of Joe in 2025
Background information
Born
Edgar Gian Bernardino

(2001-07-24) July 24, 2001
Pangasinan, Philippines
EducationUniversity of Baguio
Genres
  • Alternative rock
  • indie pop
  • pop rock
  • OPM
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actor
Years active2018–present
LabelViva
Member ofCup of Joe

Edgar Gian Bernardino (born July 24, 2001) is a Filipino singer, songwriter, and actor. He is a lead vocalist and founding member of the pop rock band Cup of Joe, formed in 2018. He has written songs for several of the band's releases, including "Tingin" (2023), recorded with Janine Teñoso, and "Misteryoso" (2024). In 2025, he directed the music video for the band's single "Sandali" (lit. 'Wait'). Bernardino has been hosting his own monthly podcast on YouTube called G on Top.

On November 26, 2021, Bernardino appeared as Kulas in the TV show Quaranthings The Series. On June 5, 2022, he starred in the short film Kubli (lit. 'Hidden'). In 2023, he portrayed the main character Hero in the short film Microplastics, an entry to the QCinema film festival. Lé Baltar of Rappler commended the film for its honest depiction of queer experiences.

In 2025, Bernardino portrayed drag queen J-Quinn's love interest in the music video for the latter's love song, "Bagong Buwan" (lit. 'New Moon'). Bernardino also performed at Lov3laban, a Pride Month celebration held at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City, Philippines. In 2026, he portrayed Maris Racal's love interest in the music video for her song "Sino Ang Tanga" (lit. 'Who's The Fool'), which depicted him and Racal sharing intimate, romantic moments. Pauline Songco of the Daily Tribune praised the video's "visually compelling" story and Bernardino's chemistry with Racal.

Early life and education

Edgar Gian Bernardino is an Ilocano[1] from Pangasinan, Philippines.[2] At around the age of three, he began discovering his voice, and spent part of his childhood in Qatar, where he joined singing contests.[3][4] He pursued dentistry at the University of Baguio.[5]

Career

In November 2018, Bernardino and his schoolmates marked their senior high school graduation by forming the band Cup of Joe. The band's music reached listeners beyond Baguio via Spotify and social media. In 2019, Cup of Joe signed with Viva Records, with Bernardino as co-lead vocalist and co-writer.[6]

In 2020, Bernardino composed and performed "Angat Baguio" (lit. 'Rise Baguio'), which placed third in a Baguio Day songwriting competition held by the province's Tourism Office.[5]

In 2023, Bernardino portrayed the lead role, Hero, in the short film Microplastics, directed by Lino Balmes. It premiered at the QCinema film festival.[7] According to Lé Baltar of Rappler, the film uses microplastics as a metaphor for society deeming queerness as unclean. Despite the film's "fair share of lapses", she commended its refusal to "sanitize" queer experiences.[8]

In 2025, Bernardino starred in the music video for "Bagong Buwan" (lit. 'New Moon'), a synth-pop love song by drag queen J-Quinn, as the singer's love interest.[9][10] The music video was described as "neon-drenched" and "dreamy".[10] The first episode of his monthly podcast G on Top premiered on May 23.[11] In November, When in Manila included G on Top on their list of Filipino podcast recommendations.[12]

Bernardino also wrote eight of the songs in the Cup of Joe album Silakbo (lit. 'Outburst').[13] On September 6, Bernardino appeared as one of the guest performers at Janine Teñoso's first solo concert, held at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City.[14]

In June, Bernardino performed at Lov3laban (pronounced "Love Laban", meaning "Love Fight"), a Pride Month celebration held at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City, Philippines.[15] On October 3, Bernardino made his directorial debut with the music video for Cup of Joe's single Sandali (lit. 'Wait'), with Raphaell Ridao contributing to the concept.[16]

On February 13, 2026, Bernardino starred as Maris Racal's love interest in the music video for her song "Sino Ang Tanga" (lit. 'Who's The Fool').[17] The video showed Racal and Bernardino sharing romantic and intimate moments, such as Bernardino gently kissing her leg. Pauline Songco of the Daily Tribune praised the video's "visually compelling storyline" and the onscreen chemistry between Bernardino and Racal.[17][18]

Artistry

Bernardino is known for his stage presence and playful personality in live performances with Cup of Joe. He sometimes adds spoken word parts to his songs.[19] Nylon Manila described his vocals as emotional and energetic, reflecting the sound of modern OPM pop rock.[19]

He has cited OPM icons such as Eraserheads, Rivermaya, and Apo Hiking Society, also he recalled that he grew up singing ballads and frequently joined amateur competitions as a child. He was first exposed to karaoke hits by international pop stars such as Celine Dion, Sarah Geronimo, and Beyoncé. As a teenager, he started listening to OPM and became interested in pop rock, which later led him to try songwriting.[20]

Endorsements

In 2025, Bernardino and his Cup of Joe bandmate Raphaell Ridao endorsed Filipino makeup brand Careline's Oil Control Face Powder.[21]

Philanthropy

In July 2025, Bernardino joined Angat Buhay's relief operations to help communities affected by storms and the southwest monsoon ("habagat"), which caused flooding in different parts of the Philippines.[22]

Personal life

In 2025, Bernardino came out as pansexual, explaining that he is attracted to other people of any gender.[23][24]

Discography

Main article: Cup of Joe (band) § Discography

Albums

Extended plays

  • Patutunguhan (2023)[26]

Singles

Note: The following are selected single songwriting credits featuring Gian Bernardino.

  • "Nag-iisang Muli" (2019)
  • "Sinderela" (2019)
  • "Alas Dose" (2019)
  • "Sagada" (2020)
  • "Bukod-Tangi" (2020)
  • "Estranghero" (2022)
  • "Tingin" (with Janine Teñoso) (2023)
  • "Misteryoso" (2024)
  • "Sandali" (2025)

Filmography

Online/Digital

Year Title Role Ref.
2025–present G on Top Himself [11]

Television

Year Title Role Ref.
2021 Quaranthings The Series Kulas [27]

Film

Year Title Role Ref.
2022 Kubli Danyel [28]
2023 Microplastics Hero (as a teen) [29]

Music videos

Year Title Artist Note Ref.
2025 "Bagong Buwan" J-Quinn [9]
"Sandali" Cup of Joe Directorial debut [16]
2026 "Sino Ang Tanga" Maris Racal [17][18]

Listicles

Publisher Year Listicle Placement Ref.
Billboard Philippines 2025 13 Halloween Costume Ideas Inspired by Your Favorite OPM Artists Placed [30]

References

  1. ^ Gabinete, Jojo (July 31, 2025). "Cup of Joe members, mga promding sikat na sa buong Pilipinas" [Cup of Joe members are provincial guys who are famous in the whole Philippines]. Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on August 4, 2025. Retrieved February 17, 2026. Dahil mga Ilocano sila, hindi nila umano isinasara ang pintuan sa paglikha ng Ilocano songs sa mga darating na araw na isang paraan ng pagpupugay sa kanilang lahi. (transl. Because the [Cup of Joe members] are Ilocanos, they say they're open to writing Ilocano language songs in the future to honor their ethnicity.)
  2. ^ Pagulong, Charmie Joy (September 21, 2023). "Now brewing: Cup of Joe 'serves different blends of music' from Baguio". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on September 22, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2026. CJ, Gian, Rapha and Gab are from Pangasinan, Sevii from Isabela while Xen is from Abra.
  3. ^ Baccay, Mark Elwyn (July 2024). "Gian Bernardino the Pop Star We Deserve". Metroscene. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  4. ^ Cailing, Kryzzle (July 27, 2023). "#ParcinqFresh featuring Gian Bernardino". Parcinq. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  5. ^ a b Mapalo, Alec (August 29, 2020). "Mapalo: Creativity overload from Baguio composers". SunStar. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  6. ^ Bernardino, Stephanie (September 12, 2023). "Baguio's musical brew: The Cup of Joe story". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  7. ^ Manaluz, Abigail. "'QCShorts 2023' Review: An assortment of talents". Sinegang. Archived from the original on December 15, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  8. ^ Baltar, Lé. "Review: Che Tagyamon's 'Tumatawa, Umiiyak' cuts above QCShorts Program 2023". Rappler. Archived from the original on November 26, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  9. ^ a b Posadas, Andrea (October 9, 2025). "7 Original Songs by "Drag Race PH" Queens That We're Putting On Repeat". When in Manila. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  10. ^ a b Loreto, Julienne. "P-pop's Best in 2025". Positively Filipino. Archived from the original on February 4, 2026. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  11. ^ a b Posadas, Andrea (October 13, 2025). "Cup of Joe's Gian Bernardino Has His Very Own Podcast—Here's Why You Should Tune In". When in Manila. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  12. ^ Posadas, Andrea (October 13, 2025). "5 Filipino Podcasts on Entertainment and Pop Culture That Everyone Should Follow". When in Manila. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  13. ^ Go, Mayks (January 14, 2025). "A Track-By-Track Guide To 'Silakbo' By Cup of Joe". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  14. ^ Billboard Philippines (November 5, 2024). "Full List Of Concerts Happening In The Philippines In 2025". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  15. ^ Basina, Carby Rose (June 18, 2025). "Michelle Dee, Cup of Joe's Gian and Rapha, more join artist lineup for Pride March 2025". GMA News. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  16. ^ a b Roque, Nika (October 4, 2025). "Cup of Joe are rockstars in 'Sandali' music video". GMA News. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  17. ^ a b c De Guzman, Alyana (February 13, 2026). "Maris Racal reveals the 'plot twist' with Cup of Joe's Gian Bernardino". Push. ABS-CBN. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  18. ^ a b Songco, Pauline (February 13, 2026). "Gian x Maris? Cup of Joe vocalist stars in 'Sino Ang Tanga' MV". Daily Tribune. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  19. ^ a b Glorioso, Nica (August 15, 2024). "All the Funny Gian Bernardino Moments That Made Cup of Joe Fans Laugh". Nylon Manila. Archived from the original on October 15, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  20. ^ Baccay, Mark Elwyn (July 2024). "Gian Bernardino is the Rock Star We Need". Metroscene. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  21. ^ Zabala, Veda Luna (June 23, 2025). "Beauty And A Beat: How Careline and Cup of Joe's Gian And Rapha Are Blurring Boundaries". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  22. ^ "Cup of Joe's Gian Bernardino Volunteers to Help Typhoon Victims". ABS-CBN News. July 28, 2025. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  23. ^ Mercado, Josh (September 12, 2025). "Cup of Joe's Gian Bernardino breaks rock band stereotypes". ABS-CBN Entertainment. ABS-CBN. Archived from the original on September 17, 2025. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  24. ^ Purnell, Kristofer (February 13, 2026). "Plot twist: Maris Racal snaps pic with Cup of Joe singer Gian Bernardino". Philstar. The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on February 13, 2026. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  25. ^ "Cup of Joe drops debut album 'Silakbo'". GMA News. January 17, 2025. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  26. ^ "Cup of Joe drops EP 'Patutunguhan'". Viva Records. 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  27. ^ "Kulas - Quaranthings The Series". TVMaze. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  28. ^ "Kubli - Release Date, Reviews, Cast, and Where to Watch". Times Now. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  29. ^ "Microplastics". QCinema.
  30. ^ Regis, Ralph (October 7, 2025). "13 Halloween Costume Ideas Inspired by Your Favorite OPM Artists". Billboard Philippines. Archived from the original on October 7, 2025. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
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