- Gian Bernardino, lead vocalist of chart-dominating Filipino band Cup of Joe, signed a solo artist management contract with Viva Artists Agency and a film deal with Viva Films on June 23, 2026, in a live press conference in the Philippines.
- The signing formally launches Bernardino's solo acting career, an ambition he describes as his original "first love" before music.
- Cup of Joe has been with Viva Records since 2019; this new solo management deal extends Bernardino's individual footprint within the Viva umbrella into film and TV.
- Viva Communications Chairman and CEO Vicente del Rosario Jr. oversaw the Gian Bernardino deal, with Viva Artists Agency President and COO Veronique del Rosario-Corpus also present at the signing.
Gian Bernardino, the 24-year-old co-lead vocalist of Baguio-based pop rock band Cup of Joe, has officially signed a solo artist management deal with Viva Artists Agency and a separate film contract with Viva Films.
The Gian Bernardino signing took place on June 23, 2026, during a live press conference attended by Viva Communications CEO Vicente del Rosario Jr., along with Viva Artists Agency President and COO Veronique del Rosario-Corpus, Studio Viva President and COO Valerie del Rosario, and Viva Records President Verb del Rosario.
In 2026, Cup of Joe’s signature track “Multo” crossed 500 million Spotify streams, becoming the most-streamed OPM song of all time.
The band also headlined “Sandali: The Cup of Joe Fest” on May 23 at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan, the first OPM act to hold a solo concert at that venue, and released their second EP, Sandali, on May 1, 2026. These milestones set the stage for Bernardino to make his next personal move.
While Bernardino has had small-screen and short-film credits, including the 2020 series Quaranthings, the short film Kubli (2022), and the 2023 short film Microplastics, which premiered at the QCinema film festival, this signing marks his first formal acting contract. He described film as his “first love,” saying it has always been his childhood dream to be seen on TV.
This move mirrors the broader industry trend of music artists expanding into film management, much like Jon Bellion signing with Make Wake Artists to pursue new creative directions, and classical artists such as Gabrielle Turgeon finding dedicated management through Askonas Holt to scale their careers.
In 2025, actor Joseph Marco made a similar high-profile move to Viva Artists Agency after 15 years under Star Magic. That same year, theater performer David Ezra also signed a management contract with Viva Artists Agency, with the agency expecting to provide more opportunities in television and film projects under the Viva banner.
More recently, actor Andre Yllana renewed his contract with Viva Artists Agency in March 2026, with the agency signaling opportunities across television, film, and streaming platforms.
On the music side, Cup of Joe has been with Viva Records since March 2019. Bernardino’s new solo management deal now sits under Vicente del Rosario Jr. at Viva Artists Agency, a separate arrangement from the band’s existing music label relationship.
Takeaways
This is bigger than a contract signing; it’s a career pivot moment for one of OPM’s most commercially successful young artists. Bernardino isn’t jumping ship from music; he’s doubling down on his overall artistry by adding a lane that Viva Films is fully equipped to develop.
For Viva Artists Agency, signing an artist with Bernardino’s streaming numbers and fanbase is an obvious win; he comes pre-packaged with cultural heat and a built-in audience.
What makes this interesting is the timing. Cup of Joe just hit their commercial peak, which is exactly when smart artists start thinking about legacy and diversification. The move also signals that Viva continues to aggressively position itself as the go-to home for crossover Filipino talent.
Can Gian Bernardino build an acting career that matches the scale of what Cup of Joe achieved in music, or will the band always overshadow his solo work? Could this open the door for other Cup of Joe members to pursue individual deals, signaling a slow unraveling of the group’s collective focus?
