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Carol Claire Aguilar Banawa (born March 4, 1981, in Pasay City, Philippines), better known in the Philippines as Carol Banawa, is a Filipina singer and actress. She was born in Pasay City to Albino and Cirila Banawa. She has two siblings, Alexander and Cherry. She was raised in Batangas. Self-confessed as an "ugly-duckling," Carol dreamt of having a musical career at a very young age. Having a thought that her dream would never come true, her family chose to believe in her drive for success. Carol entered a junior beauty pageant during the late 1980s when she was eight years old. this was the start of her path to stardom. She was eventually invited to join the new roster of ABS-CBN stars through the children oriented show "Ang TV" ^[1] and became a famous music star in the Philippine music mainstream. She is a Star Magic Batch 4 alumni.

Reminiscing Carol's Early Life

^[2]

Carol started to sing when she was just a little girl when her family was still in Saudi Arabia. Having no playmates and always left at home, she was always encouraged to sing by her mom. And Carol eventually found out that she's into singing, too. When she and her family went back home to the Philippines, she was always requested to sing in social gatherings and she soon found herself immersed in the world of show-business.

She enjoys singing a lot. It's not because she wanted to become an "artista" (movie artist or celebrity). She was never really interested in becoming one. She just enjoys singing, acting and dancing, considering them all as a hobby--something she did part-time because she was prioritizing her studies. ^[3] Unfortunately, her brother was killed and her father critically injured by carbon monoxide poisoning (they were napping in their car, with the engine running to operate the air conditioner, while waiting at a mall), and the things which she had considered a hobby became her source of income; and she had to give up school.

Stardom

In an article from Titik Pilipino, she was called the Star Diva: a genuine multimedia star who has successfully crossed over from recording to TV (Bituin), stage (Little Mermaid and the Judah Ben-Hur), movies (Tanging Yaman) to live performances. Plus, she remains to be the highest-selling recording star under Star Records' roster of artists.

Vocal Capability

Carol Banawa's crystal clear voice appeals well to the Filipino public. She interprets songs in a way that pierces through the listeners' hearts. Her voice in thin but spontaneous. She was very remarkable in singing inspirational songs in compilation albums produced by Star Records. She is considered a soprano, with C6# as the highest note registered in a live performance of "Emotion" by Destiny's Child along with singers Kyla and Anna Fegi.

Career Highlight

She was the very first Filipino artist to perform in the Madison Square Garden in New York for her participation in the 2003 New York Music Festival for which she received a special award for her outstanding performance.

Discography

When Carol Banawa was still in the Philippines, she was hailed as the "Star Diva" being Star Record's top-selling female artist, alongside Piolo Pascual.

Studio Albums

Known Compilations and Collaborations

"Awit Kay Inay"

Soundtrack in the movie Anak (2000) starring Vilma Santos and Claudine Barretto.

"Iingatan Ka"

Featured in the Tanging Yaman - Inspirational Album and in the re-packaged version of Carol. (Star Records, 2000)

We Are One

Featured in the inspirational album Only Selfless Love. (Star Records, 2002)

"Awit sa Ina ng Santo Rosaryo"

Featured in the Mysteria Lucis (Mysteries of Light) album (Star Records).

Other Songs Performed

1. "Daddy, May Oras Ka Ba? (Daddy, Do You Have Time?) - from the Children of the Universe Album - Bantay Bata 163
2. "Disco Araw-Araw" (Disco Everyday) - feat. Kaye Abad and Nikki Valdez from the movie, "Nagbibinata"
3. "Hide N' Seek" - feat. Paolo Contis from Ang TV, The Movie
4. "Keep On Grooving" - feat. Kaye Abad from Ang TV, the Homecoming
5. "Love's Not Love Till You Give It Away" - from the Metropop 2000
6. "Nakaraang Pasko" (The Past Christmas) - from the "Ngayong Pasko" album (Various Artists)
7. "Oh Babe" - feat. Nikki Valdez and Kaye Abad from the movie, Hey Babe
8. "Panunumpa" (The Promise) - also from the Tanging Yaman - Inspirational Album
9. "Tanging Yaman" (The Only Treasure) feat. Bukas Palad choir - from the Hymns of Mercy Album and the soundtrack of the movie of the same title.
10. "We'll Follow You" - the theme song for the National Youth Day 2001
11. "You Make Me Smile" - Shanghai Music Festival Entry 1998.

Film

Television

Theater Performances

Awards and nominations

2004

1. "Follow Your Heart" Album received platinum record award
2. Awit Awards Nomination for "Awit sa Ina ng Santo Rosaryo"

2003

1. "Special Award" New York Music Festival
2. "Follow Your Heart" Album received gold record certification after three weeks from its release date.
3. "Transition" album garnered platinum record award
4. Awit Awards 2003 - Nominated Best Pop Female Vocal Performance for "Stay"
5. Nominated, Favorite Female Artist, MTV Pilipinas Awards 2003

2002

1. "Transition" album garnered gold record award
2. Repackaged self-titled album, Carol garnered multi-platinum status

2001

1. Awit Awards' record of the year - "Iingatan Ka" from the Tanging Yaman - Inspirational Album
2. Self-titled album, Carol garnered platinum award
3. Special citation for her participation in the 1999 Asian Songfest in which she represented the Philippines
4. People's Choice Awards 2001 - Most Promising Host Entertainer Awardee

1999

1. Silver winner for the Shanghai Song Festival
2. Gold record for self-titled album, Carol
3. Best Pop Female Vocal Performance in the 5th Katha Music Awards

1998

• 3rd prize winner in the Metropop Song Festival

1989

1. Champion for the Tanghalan ng Kampeon
2. Finalist for Munting Mutya

Hiatus

Carol took a break from the Philippine music scene in August 2003 to treat her father who was injured in the carbon monoxide incident. She is now married to a military man, Ryan Crisostomo^[4], and has a daughter, Chelsie Crisostomo. Carol is currently working on her nursing degree.

In 2004, Pinoyvision Records released her Platinum Hits Collection album, a compilation of her hottest songs. The album also comes with a VCD of Carol's hit music videos such as Stay, Ocean Deep and Noon at Ngayon. ^[5]

Notes

1. ^ The Carol Banawa Story (Entertainment Feature)
2. ^ Carol Banawa Biography
3. ^ ^{a b} Carol Banawa Women Today (Feature Article)
4. ^ http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/cbcrisostomo?ref=nf
5. ^ Platinum Hits Collection Info

External Links and Resources

• Streaming Filipino OPM Songs at its best
• Carol Banawa Fansite
• Carol Banawa (Artist Info)
• Carol Banawa Biography
• Carol Banawa Biography (page 2)
• The Carol Banawa Story (Entertainment Feature)
• Carol Banawa Women Today (Feature Article)
• Star Records Music Publishing
• Platinum Hits Collection Info
• Judah Ben-Hur Actors
• Tanging Yaman Movie Review
• Smoke Belchers Are A Threat To Life (News Article)
• Ailing Father Propmts Carol Banawa to Emigrate to US (News Article)
• Chikadora - Your #1 Entertainment Source
• Carol Banawa at the Internet Movie Database