{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}} {{Infobox musical artist | background = person | name = Jex de Castro | image = April 2023 President Marcos Jr. meeting with athletes and artists - Jex De Castro (cropped).jpg | image_upright = | image_size = | landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank --> | alt = | caption = De Castro in 2023 | birth_name = Jex Marc de Castro | alias = | birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|34|2023|01|24}} | birth_place = | origin = | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (death date first) --> | death_place = | genre = | occupation = | instrument = Vocals | years_active = <!-- YYYY–YYYY (or –present) --> | label = Viva Records | current_member_of = | past_member_of = Manila Philharmonic Orchestra | spouse = <!-- Use article title or common name --> | partner = <!-- (unmarried long-term partner) --> | website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} or {{Official URL}} --> | module = | module2 = | module3 = }} '''Jex Marc de Castro''' (born {{birth based on age as of date|34|2023|01|24|noage=1}}<ref name=whytnt>{{cite news |last1=Umlas |first1=Mary Beatrice |title=Why ‘TNT’ alum Jex de Castro needs your help in quest to conquer UK singing tilt |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/482971/why-tnt-alum-jex-de-castro-needs-your-help-in-quest-to-conquer-uk-singing-tilt |access-date=April 22, 2023 |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=January 26, 2023 |language=en}}</ref>) is a Filipino singer.
==Early life== De Castro was born into poverty, and was unable to finish high school.<ref name=fromwedding>{{cite news |last1=Jusay |first1=Annalyn |title=Jex De Castro: From wedding singer to singing champ |url=https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/7/jex-de-castro-from-wedding-singer-to-singing-champ |access-date=April 22, 2023 |work=Manila Bulletin |date=April 8, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> Coming from a family of singers, de Castro joined multiple local singing contests.<ref name="fromwedding" />
==Career== One of his first wins was the Hiyas ng Sining in 2005, where he became the grand champion.<ref name="wishfm">{{cite news |last1=Borromeo |first1=Emmy |title=Jex De Castro shares plans for music career after Tawag ng Tanghalan journey |url=https://www.wish1075.com/jex-de-castro-shares-plans-for-music-career-after-tawag-ng-tanghalan-journey/ |access-date=April 22, 2023 |work=Wish FM 107.5 |date=June 29, 2017 |language=en-us}}</ref>
He would eventually be able to join the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra as a wedding singer in 2016.<ref name=fromwedding/>
This would lead him to join the first season of the revived ''Tawag ng Tanghalan'' (TNT) song competition of noontime variety show ''It's Showtime'' of ABS-CBN in 2017. He failed to place but returned in the TNT All-Star Grand Resbak in 2019 to finish as runner-up.<ref name="abs-cbn">{{cite news |title='TNT' alum Jex de Castro wins Stars of the Albion Grand Prix |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/03/07/23/tnt-alum-jex-de-castro-wins-stars-of-the-albion-grand-prix |access-date=April 22, 2023 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=April 7, 2023}}</ref> He lost to Mark Michael Garcia in the final. De Castro performed "Listen" by Beyoncé and a medley of songs by Sarah Geronimo.<ref>{{cite news |title=And the winner of Tawag ng Tanghalan All-Star Grand Resbak is... |url=https://www.pep.ph/guide/tv/148309/mark-michael-garcia-wins-tawag-ng-tanghalan-all-star-grand-resbak-a3830-20191221 |access-date=April 22, 2023 |work=PEP.ph |publisher=Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. |date=December 21, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
He would take part in various different theater productions such as ''Lion King: The Musical'' in 2014. He was selected to record the gospel song "''Sa Piling Ko''" which was a theme song by the television special, ''In My Father's Arms''.<ref name="wishfm"/>
De Castro would secure a recording contract with Viva Records. In 2022, he joined season two of ''Masked Singer Pilipinas'' of TV5. In the competition where contestant's concealed their identities in costumes, de Castro dressed in a banana costume and was a semi-finalist.<ref name="masked">{{cite news |last1=Gabinete |first1=Jojo |title=Jex De Castro itinuturing na isang malaking karangalan ang makasali sa Masked Singer Pilipinas |url=https://www.pep.ph/pepalerts/cabinet-files/166270/jex-de-castro-in-masked-singer-pilipinas-a734-20220612 |access-date=April 22, 2023 |work=PEP.ph |publisher=Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. |date=June 12, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
De Castro would join the 2023 Stars of the Albion Grand Prix in London upon recommendation by Vega Entertainment Productions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Malasig |first1=Jeline |title=Former 'Tawag ng Tanghalan' singer seeks help as he represents PH in international competition |url=https://interaksyon.philstar.com/celebrities/2023/01/27/241273/former-tawag-ng-tanghalan-singer-seeks-help-as-he-represents-ph-in-international-competition/ |access-date=April 22, 2023 |work=Interaksyon |date=January 27, 2023}}</ref> He was able to join after a successful fundraiser,<ref name=whytnt/> and bagged the title as the fifth Filipino to do so after Rachel Gabreza (2018), Marlon Macabaya (2019), Reign Macalinao (2020), and Danielle Soliman (2021).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Malasig |first1=Jeline |title=Pinoy pride: Jex de Castro wins 2023 Grand Prix title at Stars of the Albion in London |url=https://interaksyon.philstar.com/celebrities/2023/03/08/245169/jex-de-castro-2023-grand-prix-title-stars-of-the-albion/ |access-date=April 22, 2023 |work=Interaksyon |date=March 8, 2023}}</ref> His feat was recognized by President Bongbong Marcos.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lopez |first1=Vince |title=President lauds athletes, artists for giving glory to PH |url=https://manilastandard.net/sports/314323796/president-lauds-athletes-artists-for-giving-glory-to-ph.html |access-date=April 22, 2023 |work=Manila Standard |date=April 21, 2023}}</ref>
==Personal life== De Castro has a younger brother whose education he helped fund. His brother eventually became an architect.<ref name=fromwedding/>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:De Castro, Jex}} Category:Filipino male pop singers Category:Tawag ng Tanghalan contestants Category:1980s births Category:Living people