Rox Santos

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.

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 at Bicol University, the school where her aunt studied music, graduating with a bachelor's degree in 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.

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. 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.

He got his big break when ABS-CBN started developing a remake of the Mexican telenovela “Yo Soy Betty La Fea.” 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," 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 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, McCoy de Leon, Elisse Joson, Kisses Delavin, Rayt Carreon, Chard Ocampo, Andrea Brillantes, Vivoree Esclito, and the music and dance group The Hashtags.

Discography

References