{{Short description|Filipino rapper, record producer and actor (born 1967)}} {{Philippine name|Valentino|Espiritu}} {{BLP sources|date=March 2016}} {{Use Philippine English|date=March 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}} {{Infobox musical artist | image = File:Andrew E. at the 2024 Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair cropped.jpg | name = Andrew E. | caption = Espiritu at the 2024 Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair in General Trias, Cavite | birth_name = Andrew Ford Valentino Espiritu | alias = Gamol, Kuya Andrew, King of Tagalog Rap | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1967|7|30}}<ref name=birth/> | birth_place = Naga, Camarines Sur, Philippines<ref name=birth>{{cite web|url=https://www.gogagah.com/celebrities-you-probably-didnt-know-who-are-from-bicol/|author=Ozzias T. Villaver Jr.|title=5 Celebrities You Probably Didn't Know Who Are From Bicol|date=December 12, 2016|access-date=October 1, 2021|archive-date=September 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916161459/https://www.gogagah.com/celebrities-you-probably-didnt-know-who-are-from-bicol/|url-status=live}}</ref> | origin = Parañaque, Philippines | genre = {{hlist|Pinoy hip hop|pop-rap|dirty rap|comedy rap}} | associated_acts = Salbakuta | occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|actor}} | years_active = 1985–present | label = {{hlist|Dongalo Wreckords|Viva}} }} '''Andrew Ford Valentino Espiritu''' (born July 30, 1967), known professionally as '''Andrew E.''', is a Filipino rapper and actor.<ref>{{AllMusic|last=Loftus|first=Johnny|title=Biography: Andrew E.|id=p527590|access-date=October 1, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=How Andrew E Became The Godfather of Dirty Pinoy Rap {{!}} Toni Talks |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkZ8PZ29DXg |language=en |access-date=2023-02-01 |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201102112/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkZ8PZ29DXg |url-status=live }}</ref> He is best known in the Philippines for his 1990 debut hit single "Humanap Ka ng Panget" ("''Find an Ugly Person''"). Andrew E. won a Rap Album of the Year award for his album ''Clubzilla'' at the 2010 PMPC Star Awards for Music. His single "Shoot Shoot Part 2" was later used as an instrumental for the campaign jingle "Heto Na Inday Sara".
== Career == Espiritu first worked as a DJ in the popular club, Euphoria, and was discovered by entrepreneur and musician Ramon "RJ" Jacinto in 1990. He made his television debut on ''That's Entertainment'', a variety show hosted by the late German Moreno on GMA-7. He eventually started his professional career in December 1990 when he released his debut single "Humanap Ka ng Panget" ({{Translation|Find Someone Who Is Ugly}}).
In mid-1997, Espiritu founded an independent rap label named Dongalo Wreckords for the purpose of discovering and producing new rap talents, one of them being the rap group Salbakuta, with their debut single "S2upid Luv" becoming a best-seller and spawning a theatrical feature film starring Espiritu.
Espiritu spent some time in Japan in the late 1990s, performing in clubs and eventually releasing a CD single with two rap songs in Japanese about the misadventures of a tourist in Tokyo. This got the attention of a Japanese producer, who offered to help promote him if he would apply for Japanese citizenship.<ref name=":0" />
In 2000, he was a consultant to Caloocan mayor Rey Malonzo "for entertainment and cultural affairs".<ref>{{cite news|last=Esguerra|first=Christian V.|title=Malonzo gets comedians as consultants, advisers|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zFQ1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=bSUMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2685%2C6449917|access-date=August 11, 2022|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|publisher=The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc.|date=September 14, 2000|page=A20}}</ref>
On March 25, 2002, he released the album ''Porno Daw''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Andrew E New Album |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=w_oZAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ngsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4126%2C3079174 |access-date=9 August 2022 |date=25 February 2002 |archive-date=August 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809150447/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=w_oZAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ngsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4126,3079174 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2010, he was one of the judges in ABS-CBN's noontime variety/talent show ''Showtime''. He later returned as a judge in the ''Showtime'' segment "Hype Best".
He has collaborated with Sharon Cuneta, Willie Revillame,<ref>{{cite news |title=Willie releases second single |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yIc1AAAAIBAJ&pg=PA28 |access-date=12 March 2023 |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=22 December 2000 |language=en}}</ref> Joey de Leon, Regine Velasquez, Francis M., Ogie Alcasid, Janno Gibbs, Carlos Agassi, Death Threat, Salbakuta, DJs such as DJ Coki of ''Wil Time Big Time'', DJ MOD of ''Showtime'' and DJ Belal of New York, and actresses such as Maricel Soriano, Ana Roces, Nanette Medved, Charlene Gonzalez, Vina Morales, Sheryl Cruz, Gelli de Belen, Alice Dixson, Amanda Page, Rufa Mae Quinto, Donita Rose and Rica Peralejo.
Espiritu returned to acting in 2016 as Uge, the biological father of Serena (played by Liza Soberano) in ABS-CBN's drama series ''Dolce Amore''.<ref name="Calderon">{{cite news|url=https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-entertainment/2016/02/04/1549902/andrew-e-showcase-acting-chops-dolce-amore|title=Andrew E to showcase acting chops in 'Dolce Amore'|last=Calderon|first=Ricky|date=February 5, 2016|work=The Philippine Star|access-date=October 1, 2021|archive-date=October 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001034628/https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-entertainment/2016/02/04/1549902/andrew-e-showcase-acting-chops-dolce-amore|url-status=live}}</ref>
Andrew's first Star Cinema movie was "Raketeros", a comedy movie was released in 2013 for the film company's 20th anniversary of Star Cinema and ABS-CBN Film Productions.
Andrew starred alongside Dennis Padilla, Janno Gibbs, Louise Delos Reyes and Eddie Garcia in the comedy film ''Sanggano, Sanggago't Sanggwapo'', his first feature with Viva Films since ''A.B. Normal College'' in 2003. ''Sanggano, Sanggago't Sanggwapo'' was released in theaters in September 2019.
On December 11, 2024, Andrew held his first ever solo concert, titled ''Time for your mind concert'' at the New Frontier Theater, Quezon City. This was the rapper first major concert in his 34 years in music industry.<ref>{{cite web |title=Andrew E performs with Martin, Regine at first-ever major concert |url=https://www.pep.ph/news/local/184412/andrew-e-first-ever-major-concert-a4113-20241212 |website=PEP |access-date=18 October 2025 |date=12 December 2024}}</ref> === Allegations of plagiarism from foreign songs=== In 2018, Espiritu became involved in a plagiarism controversy when "Humanap Ka ng Panget" was accused of being an unauthorized translation of the song "Find an Ugly Woman" by DJ Cash Money and MC Marvelous. <ref name="Severo">{{cite news|last=Severo|first=Jan Milo|title=Netizens call out Andrew E. for alleged 'Humanap Ka Ng Panget' plagiarism|url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2018/07/02/1829933/xXOvIbrDDH4L2O5L.99|work=The Philippine Star|date=July 2, 2018|access-date=October 1, 2021}}</ref> A thread in the /r/Philippines subreddit called out the rapper for allegedly making a cover of "Find An Ugly Woman" without Cash Money Marvelous' permission, just after the noontime variety show ''ASAP'' aired a tribute performance to Espiritu. The track "Alabang Girls" was taken from the Led Zeppelin song "Black Dog", where its band guitarist Jimmy Page guest on a show of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon as he stated ''"If someone had taken my riffs without acknowledgment or payment, it would have been deemed theft. The same standard must apply to AI"''. The song chorus for the track "Banyo Queen" was heavily interpolated from Ben E. King song "Stand By Me".<ref name="Fallore">{{cite web|last=Fallore|first=Renuel|title=This Reddit Thread Is Calling Out ANDREW E. For Allegedly Plagiarizing His Biggest Hit|url=https://myx.abs-cbn.com/features/15218/this-reddit-thread-calls-out-andrew-e|website=myx.abs-cbn.com|access-date=October 1, 2021|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109014256/http://myx.abs-cbn.com/features/15218/this-reddit-thread-calls-out-andrew-e|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== Personal life == Espiritu married Mylene Espiritu in March 2000. The couple have three children.<ref>{{cite news |title=Andrew E. celebrates his 19th wedding anniversary |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/2019/3/12/fresh-scoops/andrew-e-celebrates-his-19th-wedding-anniversary-34998 |access-date=November 8, 2022 |work=push.abs-cbn.com |date=March 12, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=November 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108004227/https://push.abs-cbn.com/2019/3/12/fresh-scoops/andrew-e-celebrates-his-19th-wedding-anniversary-34998 |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Filmography == === Film === {| class=wikitable !Year!!Title!!Role!!{{Abbr|Ref.|References}} |- |1990||''Humanap Ka ng Panget''||Andy|| |- |1991||''Pitong Gamol''||Ambong|| |- |1991||''Andrew Ford Medina: Huwag Kang Gamol''||Andrew Ford Medina|| |- |1992||''Alabang Girls''||Unat/Straight|| |- |1992||''Mahirap Maging Pogi''||Parding Pogi|| |- |1992||''Pretty Boy''||Pretty Boy/Cute|| |- |1993||''Manchichiritchit''||Isko|| |- |1993||''Gagay: Prinsesa ng Brownout''||cameo appearance as himself|| |- |1993||''Ang Boyfriend Kong Gamol''||Tom Cruz|| |- |1993||''Row 4: Ang Baliktorians''||Agapito "Aguy" Santos|| |- |1994||''Pinagbiyak Na Bunga: Lookalayk''||Urot/Blacky|| |- |1994||''Megamol''||Clark "Uragon" Bokol|| |- |1994||''Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko''||Robin|| |- |1995||''Bikini Watch''||Kiko|| |- |1995||''P're Hanggang Sa Huli''||Cooper Guerrero|| |- |1995||''Bangers''||Hap Hibang|| |- |1996||''Neber 2-Geder''||Bert Control|| |- |1996||''Where 'D' Girls 'R'''||Andong|| |- |1997||''Si Mokong, si Astig, at si Gamol''||Gamol|| |- |1997||''Roberta''||Special Participation (Andrew E.'s 1st Drama Movie)|| |- |1997||''Matinik Na Bading, Mga Syukeng Nuking''||Tirso/Tricia|| |- |1997||''Extranghero''||Botong|| |- | 1997 || ''Strict ang Parents Ko'' || Jr. Ramos || |- |2000||''Markova: Comfort Gay''||Chiquito/Tintoy on the film set|| |- |2000||''Mana-Mana Tiba-Tiba''||Wilson|| |- |2001||''Tusong Twosome''||Bano|| |- |2001||''Banyo Queen''||Drew|| |- |2002||''Burles King Daw, O!''||Troy||<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last1=Lo |first1=Ricky |title=How Andrew E. nixed Japan stardom for love |url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2002/01/16/147221/how-andrew-e-nixed-japan-stardom-love |access-date=10 November 2021 |work=Philstar.com |date=16 January 2002}}</ref> |- |2002||''D' Uragons: Never Umuurong Always Sumusulong''||Orot|| |- |2002||''S2pid Luv''||George|| |- |2003||''A.B. Normal College: Todo Na 'Yan! Kulang Pa 'Yun!''||Andres|| |- |2013||''Raketeros''||Andoy||<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-07-27|title=Herbert Bautista, Dennis Padilla, Long Mejia, Andrew E. and Ogie Alcasid unite for one 'ultimate throwback' comedy movie treat for moviegoers of all ages in "Raketeros"|url=https://www.lionheartv.net/2013/07/herbert-bautista-dennis-padilla-long-mejia-andrew-e-and-ogie-alcasid-unite-for-one-ultimate-throwback-comedy-movie-treat-for-moviegoers-of-all-ages-in-raketeros/|access-date=2021-11-10|website=LionhearTV|language=en-US|archive-date=November 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110011543/https://www.lionheartv.net/2013/07/herbert-bautista-dennis-padilla-long-mejia-andrew-e-and-ogie-alcasid-unite-for-one-ultimate-throwback-comedy-movie-treat-for-moviegoers-of-all-ages-in-raketeros/|url-status=live}}</ref> |- |2019||''Sanggano, Sanggago't Sanggwapo''||Andy||<ref>{{cite news |last1=Carvajal |first1=Dolly Anne |title=What makes Andrew E, Dennis and Janno click |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/344496/what-makes-andrew-e-dennis-and-janno-click |access-date=10 November 2021 |work=INQUIRER.net |date=7 September 2019 |language=en |archive-date=November 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110003151/https://entertainment.inquirer.net/344496/what-makes-andrew-e-dennis-and-janno-click |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |2020||''Pakboys Takusa''||John||<ref>{{cite news |title='Pakboys: Takusa' |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/399542/pakboys-takusa |access-date=18 November 2021 |work=INQUIRER.net |date=20 December 2020 |language=en |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118061051/https://entertainment.inquirer.net/399542/pakboys-takusa |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Cruz |first1=Oggs |title='Pakboys Takusa' review: Far from funny |url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/movies/pakboys-takusa-review/ |access-date=10 November 2021 |work=Rappler |date=28 December 2020 |language=en}}</ref> |- |2021 |''Sanggano, Sanggago’t Sanggwapo 2: Aussie! Aussie (O Sige)'' |Andy |<ref>{{Citation|title=Sanggano, Sanggago't, Sanggwapo 2: Aussie! Aussie (O Sige) {{!}} Official Trailer|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4Vu1hf2CuY|language=en|access-date=2021-11-27|archive-date=November 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127135305/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4Vu1hf2CuY|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | 2021 | ''Mang Jose'' |Mount Apolinario | |- |2021||''Shoot Shoot''||Jack|| |- |}
=== Television === {| class=wikitable !Year!!Title!!Role!!{{Abbr|Ref.|References}} |- |2000 |''Crayon Shin-chan'' |Shinnosuke Nohara (voice; Tagalog translation) |- |2009 |''Midnight DJ'' |Himself ("Gayuma ng Panget") |<ref>{{cite web | url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kSpeBQtMXtU | title=Midnight DJ feat. Andrew E | website=YouTube }}</ref> |- |2012-2013 |''Kapitan Awesome'' |Adonis | |- |2016 |''Dolce Amore'' |Uge, Serena's father |<ref>{{cite web|last=Admin|first=Star Cinema|title=Meet the characters of 'Dolce Amore' {{!}} Star Cinema|url=https://starcinema.abs-cbn.com/2016/2/15/news/meet-the-characters-of-dolce-amore-13619|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125063642/https://starcinema.abs-cbn.com/2016/2/15/news/meet-the-characters-of-dolce-amore-13619|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 25, 2020|date=February 15, 2016|access-date=October 1, 2021|website=starcinema.abs-cbn.com}}</ref> |- |2017–2022 |''I Can See Your Voice'' |Himself / Sing-vestigators |<ref>{{cite news |title='I Can See Your Voice PH': Hilarious start as contestants butcher karaoke favorites |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/09/17/17/i-can-see-your-voice-ph-hilarious-start-as-contestants-butcher-karaoke-favorites |access-date=18 November 2021 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=16 September 2017 |language=en}}</ref> |}
== Discography == === Singles === {{div col}} * 1990 - "Humanap Ka ng Panget" * 1990 - "Ize Ba Tayo Dyan?" * 1990 - "Wag Kang Gamol" * 1991 - "Mas Gusto Mo Siya" * 1991 - "Mahal Kita" * 1991 - "Bini B. Rocha" * 1991 - "Andrew Ford Medina" * 1992 - "Mahirap Maging Pogi" * 1992 - "Alabang Girls" * 1993 - "Manchichiritchit" * 1994 - "Ang Boyfriend Kong Gamol" (featuring Alice Dixson) * 1994 - "Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko" * 1995 - "Akala Ko" (duet with Sharon Cuneta) * 1995 - "Bikini Watch" * 1995 - "Hibangers" * 1996 - "Neber-2-Geder" * 1997 - "Where the Girls Are" * 1999 - "Maggy" * 1999 - "Banyo Queen" * 1999 - "Rubber Dickey" * 1999 - "Fax Me" * 2000 - "ShaNaNaNaNa" * 2000 - "Honey" * 2000 - "Kagat ng Aso" (Dog bite)<ref>{{cite book |last1=Alejandro |first1=Reynaldo G. |title=Pasko!: The Philippine Christmas |date=1998 |publisher=National Bookstore, Incorporated |isbn=978-971-27-0664-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gLpuAAAAMAAJ |access-date=10 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref> * 2001 - "Sinabmarin" * 2004 - "Shoot Shoot" * 2004 - "Pink Palaka" * 2004 - "That's Why I Love You" (with Regine Velasquez) * 2005 - "My Banyo Queen" * 2005 - "Ako ay Bano" * 2006 - "Clean" * 2008 - "Ikaw" (Humanap Ka ng Panget Part 2) * 2010 - "Sophisitkado" (PMPC Winner/Rap Album of the Year) * 2010 - "Danz Now" (feat. Bugoy na Koykoy and Anne Jameo) * 2010 - "A.N.D.R.E.W.F.O.R.D" * 2010 - "Clubzilla" * 2010 - "Stand Alone" * 2012 - "Classmate" (feat. Winhope) * 2013 - "Ayokong Magtiis Ka" * 2013 - "I Wish I Can" (feat.Bastee) * 2016 - "Neng, Ikaw Ba Yan?" (feat. Damuho Skwad) * 2020 - "Huwag Kang Gamol" (2020 Remix) * 2020 - "Tamang-tama" * 2021 - "Shoot-Shoot" (Part 2) * 2024 - "Para sa Streets" {{div col end}}
=== Soundtracks === * ''Humanap Ka Ng Panget The Official Movie Soundtrack'' (Viva Records, 1991) * ''Pretty Boy Soundtrack'' (Viva Records, 1991) * ''Pitong Gamol The Soundtrack'' (Viva Records, 1992) * ''Mahirap Maging Pogi The Soundtrack'' (Viva Records, 1992) * ''Andrew Ford Medina The Soundtrack'' (Viva Records, 1992) * ''Alabang Girls The Official Movie Soundtrack'' (Viva Records, 1992) * ''Manchirichit The Official Soundtrack'' (Viva Records, 1993) * ''Ober Da Bakod The Movie Soundtrack'' (Viva Records, 1994) * ''Ang Boyfriend Kong Gamol The Soundtrack'' (Viva Records, 1994) * ''Ikaw Ang Miss Universe Ng Buhay Ko Movie Soundtrack'' (Viva Records, 1994) * ''MeGamol The Soundtrack'' (Viva Records, 1995) * ''Bangers The Official Movie Soundtrack'' (Viva Records, 1995) * ''Neber 2 Geder The Official Soundtrack Album'' (Viva Records, 1996) * ''Where Da Girls R The Soundtrack'' (Viva Records, 1997) * ''Extranghero The Official Soundtrack Album'' (Neo Records, 1997) * ''Si Mokong, Si Astig At Si Gamol The Soundtrack Album'' (Viva Records, 1998) * ''Banyo Queen The Soundtrack'' (Viva Records, 1999) * ''Mana Mana Tiba Tiba The Soundtrack'' (Viva Records, 2000) * ''D Uragons The Soundtrack'' (Viva Records, 2001) * ''Twosong Twosome The Soundtrack'' (Viva Records, 2002) * ''AB Normal College The Soundtrack'' (Viva Records, 2003) * ''Shoot Shoot The Movie Soundtrack'' (Viva Records, 2023)
== Awards and nominations == {| class=wikitable !Year!!Award giving body!!Category!!Nominated work!!Results |- |rowspan=2|2008||Awit Awards||Best Novelty Recording||align=center|"Cowboy - Cowgirl"||{{nominated}}<ref>{{cite web |title=LIST OF FINALISTS THE 21st AWIT AWARDS |url=http://www.awitawards.com.ph/finalists2007.htm |access-date=10 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080621051806/http://www.awitawards.com.ph/finalists2007.htm |archive-date=21 June 2008}}</ref> |- |MYX Music Awards||Favorite Urban Video||"Ikaw (Humanap Ka Ng Pangit Part 2)"||{{nominated}}<ref name="MyxMusicAwards2008">{{cite news|url=https://www.pep.ph/guide/music/1612/third-myx-music-awards-to-be-held-on-march-26/|title=Third MYX Music Awards to be held on March 26|publisher=PEP.ph|author=Jocelyn Dimaculangan|date=February 18, 2008|access-date=October 1, 2021|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828201028/https://www.pep.ph/guide/music/1612/third-myx-music-awards-to-be-held-on-march-26|url-status=live}}</ref> |- |2010 |2nd PMPC Star Awards for Music |Rap Album of the Year |"Clubzilla" |{{Won}}<ref>{{citation|title=Andrew E. Winning The 2010 PMPC STAR AWARDS "Rap Album Of The Year" (18,000 Views)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlJazOkd9ck |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/SlJazOkd9ck |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|access-date=October 1, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb name|1087081}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:E., Andrew}} Category:1967 births Category:Living people Category:20th-century Filipino male actors Category:20th-century Filipino male singers Category:21st-century Filipino male actors Category:21st-century Filipino male singers Category:Male actors from Parañaque Category:Bicolano actors Category:Bicolano people Category:Comedians from Parañaque Category:Filipino male comedians Category:Filipino male film actors Category:Filipino male television actors Category:Filipino male rappers Category:Filipino television personalities Category:Male actors from Camarines Sur Category:Musicians from Metro Manila Category:People from Camarines Sur Category:People from Naga, Camarines Sur Category:Pop rappers Category:Sampling (music) controversies Category:Viva Artists Agency Category:Viva Records (Philippines) artists