AlDub

Alden Richard

Richard Reyes Faulkerson, Jr. (born January 2, 1992), popularly known by his stage name Alden Richards, is a Filipino actor, host, model and recording artist. He is best known as the other half of the AlDub love team opposite Maine Mendoza. The couple regularly appear in the Kalyeserye segment of Eat Bulaga! His other notable works include Alakdana, Tween Hearts, One True Love, Carmela, The Road, My Bebe Love#KiligPaMore and Imagine You and Me. He is also known for his role as Lakan in the reboot series of Encantadia. During the 29th PMPC Star Awards for Television in 2015, Richards won his first Best Actor award for his portrayal of José Rizal in Ilustrado.

As a recording artist, Richards released two albums, a self-titled album in 2013 under Universal Records and Wish I May in 2015 under GMA Records. His eponymous album reached platinum status[1] while Wish I May reached eight times platinum. Richards who started as a model joined various male beauty pageants, appeared in various magazines and endorsed a number of products. He is also known for his philanthropy and took part in charitable works. His life story is featured in an episode of Magpakailanman and Richards released an autobiographical book entitled In My Own Words in July 2015 under Summit Media.

Early life
Alden Richards was born Richard Reyes Faulkerson, Jr. on January 2, 1992 in Santa Rosa City, Laguna, Philippines.[4] He is the second child of Richard Peralta Faulkerson, Sr. of Ermita, Manila[5] and Rosario Reyes, a native of Pampanga. He has two siblings, an older brother and a younger sister.[6] Richards is of American descent through his paternal grandfather,[7] whom he has never met personally.[8]

Growing up, Richards wanted to be a pilot but his mother urged him to pursue acting instead.[9][10] After his mother died, to support his family financially and to fulfill his mother's wish for him to be an actor, Richards decided to join various male beauty pageants in Laguna and worked as a part-time commercial model.[11] He holds the titles Ginoong Sta Rosa 2009 and Ginoong Laguna 2010.[9] He also tried to be in the reality television shows StarStruck and Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Clash of 2010 but both auditions failed.[12][13] He also appeared on a television commercial for a multivitamins product.[14] He studied high school at Paco Catholic School in Paco, Manila[15] and Colegio de Santa Rosa de Lima High School where he graduated.[16] He finished a business administration degree at De La Salle Canlubang in Biñan City, Laguna.[17]

2010-2011: Breakthrough, The Road and recognition
After doing modelling stints, Richards tried to be an actor and auditioned for an acting role on the GMA Network's afternoon soap, Alakdana. He passed the audition and played the role of Joma.[18] In Alakdana, he was paired with the lead actress Louise delos Reyes.[18] When he became an actor, he used the stage name Alden Richards.[9] In 2011, he was included in the teenage series, Tween Hearts and also starred in its film adaptation Tween Hearts: Class of 2012.[19] He also performed on GMA Network's Sunday variety shows Party Pilipinas and Sunday All Stars.[9] He also appeared in the comedy-horror show Spooky Nights.[20] Richards was praised with his performance as a psychopath in the film The Road.[21] By the end of 2011, he replaced Aljur Abrenica's role as Gobi in Ang Panday 2, which is an entry at the 2011 Metro Manila Film Festival.[22] Abrenica was pulled out of the film due to conflict of schedules and Richards re-shoots scenes made by Abrenica.[22] Richards was also praised by some entertainment writers for his performances, predicting that he would be the next big star of GMA Network.[23]

Richards was awarded as the 1st Filipino Amazing Male Newcomer in the first Yahoo! OMG! Philippines Awards in 2011.[24] He also won as Best New Actor in the Golden Screen Awards in the same year.[25] He invited FHM Sexiest of 2011 Sam Pinto for a date on national TV.[26] The latter did accept the invite and went on a cruise date with Richards in the Manila Bay, but the actress revealed that it was just a friendly date.[26] On Valentine's Day of 2012, A Date with Alden Richards, a GMA Network promo, was held on national television and the micro-blogging site Twitter where it trended.[27]