Gretchen Espina
| Gretchen Espina | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Gretchen Stephanie Mendiola Espina |
| Born | January 8, 1988 |
| Origin | Quezon City and Biliran, Philippines |
| Genres | Soul, OPM, Pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 2008-present |
| Labels | Sony Music Philippines/ 19 Recordings |
Gretchen Stephanie Mendiola Espina (born January 8, 1988 in Quezon City, Philippines) is a Filipino singer and actress who rose to notability after winning Pinoy Idol, an interactive reality-based singing competition. Although she is credited as the first Pinoy Idol, Espina is technically the second winner of a Philippine Idol franchise, after Mau Marcelo of Philippine Idol in 2006. She came from the political family of Espinas of Biliran. Her father Rogelio Espina, is a former governor and the current representative of the lone district of Biliran, while her grandfather Gerardo Espina, Sr. is a former representative and mayor of Naval, Biliran and her uncle Gerardo Espina, Jr is a former representative and current governor of Biliran.
Espina came from a musically-inclined family who is also the prominent political family in Biliran, with her father, Congressman Dr. Rogelio "Roger" J. Espina, Representative of the Lone District of Biliran, described as a "good piano player and singer." Her mother, Cecil, works as a pediatrician; while her grandfather, Gerry, was a Mayor of Kawayan, Biliran. Her uncle, Gerry (Gerryboy) Espina Jr. is the present Governor of Biliran.
Espina was born in Quezon City, Metro Manila, where she spent her early years studying in School of the Holy Spirit before transferring to Naval Central School where she finished elementary level with honors. She had her secondary education in Cathedral School of La Naval, where she graduated as a salutatorian.
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