MANILA, Philippines — As Cup of Joe’s lead vocalist, Gian Bernardino, begins his solo acting career through Viva Artists Agency (VAA) and Viva Films, he assures fans that the band is not disbanding and that he is simply expanding his artistry.
“Wag kayong kabahan. Kasi maraming nagsasabi na, ‘Mag-so-solo music na ba siya?’ I’m not. This is just an expansion of my artistry,” he clarified during his contract signing with VAA and the presscon, adding that he hopes fans will support his “side quest.”
“And soon, it’s going to be a main quest along with my music. It’s just the beginning of a bigger thing for me, and I would love to share this journey with all of you,” he went on.
In fact, his bandmates — Gabriel Fernandez, Raphaell Ridao, CJ Fernandez and Xen Gareza — have supported his interest in acting from the very beginning. He told The STAR, “They’ve always seen me as that full-rounded performer ever since we started. During the pandemic, I started joining indie films and series. Tapos sabay-sabay rin naman naming pinapanood yun at that time, and when I told them about it, full-support naman sila, and I’m really thankful for that.”
Gian appeared in the digital series “Quaranthings: The Series” (2021), the short films “Kubli” (2022) and “Microplastics” (2023), and music videos for Bagong Buwan by drag queen J-Quinn and Sino Ang Tanga by singer-actress Maris Racal. He also made his directorial debut through the music video for Cup of Joe’s hit song Sandali in September 2025.
The 25-year-old musician’s love for film and acting dates back to his childhood, when he was growing up in Qatar with his mother, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW).
“To be completely honest, first love ko talaga ang film in its essence,” he told this paper. “As a son of an OFW who grew up in Qatar, my escape during those times na nag-a-adjust kami is yung nanonood ako ng TV. I dreamed of being part of ‘Goin’ Bulilit.’
“So even before I discovered that I wanted to be a performer, gusto ko muna maging artista. It’s definitely been one of my plans in entering the industry. Now, but then I guess it just feels like the perfect timing na since I believe we’ve achieved great lengths in terms of music, and I want to expand my artistry by entering film as well.”
Gian revealed that he secretly auditioned for “Pinoy Big Brother: 737” in 2015 without his mother’s knowledge but ultimately did not push through with it.
“Nagkaroon ng mga responses that I needed to come home to the Philippines,” he recalled. “I was in Grade 8 at the time, so I felt like hindi rin naman ako papayagan. So, I said, ‘Maybe in the future.’”
Given the opportunity, Gian hopes to star in a psychological thriller and collaborate with fellow Viva artists Anne Curtis and Sarah Geronimo, whom he considers one of his musical inspirations. He also expressed his desire to work with his friends, Fyang Smith and JM Ibarra.
Just recently, the VAA teased a possible collaboration between Gian and Wilbert Ross.