Alden Richards (EP)

Alden Richards embarked on a new journey as a recording artist under Universal Records, joining the elite roster of Filipino artists, like Gary Valenciano, Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Christian Bautista, and Jaya, among others.{{Cite web|date=2013-02-07|title=Alden Richards embarks a new journey as a recording artist|url=https://www.lionheartv.net/2013/02/alden-richards-embarks-a-new-journey-as-a-recording-artist/|access-date=2021-05-27|website=LionhearTV|language=en-US}} During the contract signing with the label, he was accompanied by David Fabros and Simoun Ferrer of GMA Artist Center and Universal Records' general manager, Kathleen Dy-Go and operations manager, Peter Chan. During the contract signing conference, Richards said that the album itself will include his favorite songs.

Universal Records Management had given Jerwin a list of songs, then Ito Rapadas, the album producer, selected most of the tracks. The lead single ("Haplos") was the first song performed by Jerwin. When the first demo was heard by the management, they were impressed by the outcome. Their common feedback was that Jerwin really had good musical skills. Though Jerwin experienced some difficulty in recording sessions with regard to his busy schedule, he still found enjoyment in every single moment of it.

In his exclusive interview in the music magazine Pinoy (April – May issue), he confirmed that he recorded five remakes and one original composition by Vince Rod Katindoy, member and composer of Shamrock. The final track listing consisted of seven tracks including his covers of "Naaalala Ka" by Rey Valera, "Di Na Mababawi" by Spongecola and Itchyworms' "Akin Ka Na Lang" and his carrier single, Shamrock's "Haplos". He expressed that the album doesn't include "belting songs," but consists of ballads that are cool and relaxing to hear, and that he hopes for his album to reach gold status and not have any negative feedback.

In October 2015, Universal Records released a special edition of the album which includes AlDub theme song "God Gave Me You" by Bryan White.{{cite news|last1=Santos|first1=AJT|title=Alden Richards' self-titled album Special Edition released|url=http://pop.inquirer.net/2015/10/alden-richards-self-titled-album-special-edition-released|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|access-date=October 27, 2015|date=October 22, 2015}} The song was frequently dubbed by Alden Richards in Eat Bulaga!'s Kalyeserye. Richards' version of the song is included in his 2015 album Wish I May.{{cite web|last1=Ramirez|first1=Lorie|title='God Gave Me You,' kasama sa album ni Alden Richards|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/records/articles/2015-09-25/466/God-Gave-Me-You-kasama-sa-album-ni-Alden-Richards|website=gmanetwork.com|publisher=GMA Network, Inc.|access-date=October 27, 2015|date=September 25, 2015}}

The self-titled album was launched on May 26, 2013 at the Trinoma Activity Center and Alden was overwhelmed by the reception of his fans. "Hindi ko po inexpect na ganoon yung magiging reception kasi hindi ko po ineexpect na matatanggap ako ng tao as a singer," (I don't expect that kind of reception because I don't expect that people would accept me as a singer,) he added in a press conference held on June 11.{{Cite web|url=http://myxph.com/features/5649/alden-richards-releases-his-self-titled-debut-album/|title=ALDEN RICHARDS Releases His Self-Titled Debut Album!|website=Myxph.com|access-date=May 10, 2022}}

In 2015, Richards gained so much popularity courtesy of ALDUB love team played in Eat Bulagas's segment, Juan For All, All For Juan. In line with this, the album eventually topped the charts of iTunes Philippines, and among largest retailers in the country such as Astroplus, and Odyssey. It also landed on Billboard World Albums Chart at number 10 for the week of October 17, 2015.{{cite magazine|title=US Billboard World Albums Chart|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/world-albums|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 7, 2015}}{{cite news|title=Alden Richards's album makes it to world Billboard chart|url=http://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2015/10/07/1508148/alden-richardss-album-makes-it-world-billboard-chart|access-date=October 7, 2015|work=Philippine Star|date=October 7, 2015}}

The album was re-release after two years since its debut in market in 2013, on November 28, 2015. It features Bryan Whites's hit, God Gave Me You, and with additional instrumentals for each tracks from the album.{{cite web|url=http://noeljose.com/entertainment/2015/10/22/universal-records-releases-alden-richards-special-edition-album/|title=Universal Records releases Alden Richards Special Edition album - Entertainment |access-date=November 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208183702/http://noeljose.com/entertainment/2015/10/22/universal-records-releases-alden-richards-special-edition-album/|archive-date=December 8, 2015|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://orangemagazine.ph/2015/universal-records-releases-alden-richards-self-titled-album-special-edition/|title=Universal Records Releases Alden Richards Self-Titled Album Special Edition |website=Orangemagazine.ph|date=October 22, 2015}}

"Haplos", written and originally performed by Shamrock, was released as the lead single from the album on April 5, 2013 and became available on the April 9 in digital format.{{Cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/haplos-single/id632407229 |title=ITunes - Music - Haplos - Single by Alden Richards |website=iTunes |access-date=May 29, 2013 |archive-date=October 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012143615/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/haplos-single/id632407229 |url-status=dead }} It was launched at the noontime musical variety show, Party Pilipinas by Richards himself performing on April 14.{{Cite web |url=http://www.pep.ph/guide/guide/11746/alden-richards-will-launch-album-on-party-pilipinas-this-sunday |title=Alden Richards will launch album on Party Pilipinas this Sunday | PEP.ph: The Number One Site for Philippine Showbiz |access-date=May 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002201742/http://www.pep.ph/guide/guide/11746/alden-richards-will-launch-album-on-party-pilipinas-this-sunday |archive-date=October 2, 2013 |url-status=dead }} Further, the song topped all digital singles chart including My Music Store Philippines and the Philippines franchise of iTunes on April 19.{{cite tweet|user=universalrecph|author=Universal Records PH|number=325102372156223489|date=April 19, 2013|title=CONGRATS! Alden Richards "Haplos" is No. 1 DIGITAL SINGLE in @MyMusicStorePH! @aldenrichards02}}{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=586593561358892&set=a.209255779092674.53605.183171225034463&type=1&theater|title=Congrats Alden Richards :) Haplos #1... – Alden Richards (ALDENatics) – Facebook|website=Facebook}}{{Primary source inline|date=April 2020}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.showbiznest.com/2013/04/daniel-padilla-djp-album-released.html|title=Showbiznest.com|website=Showbiznest.com|access-date=May 10, 2022}} Extending that the single itself was used as one of the official sound track for GMA's 2013 primetime series, Mundo Mo'y Akin, where he played the character role of Jerome. Its music video was directed and edited by J. Pacena II and first premiered in Myx Philippines, on May 23.

{{track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Haplos

| writer1 = Vince Rod Katindoy

| extra1 = Ito Rapadas

| length1 = 3:34

| title2 = Naaalala Ka

| writer2 = Rey Valera

| extra2 = Rapadas

| length2 = 3:49

| title3 = Can't Find No Reason

| writer3 = Dodjie Simon

| extra3 = Rapadas

| length3 = 2:56

| title4 = ‘Di Na Mababawi

| writer4 = Rey Dilay

| extra4 = Rapadas

| length4 = 3:15

| title5 = Sa Aking Tabi

| writer5 = Vince Rod Katindoy

| extra5 = Rapadas

| length5 = 3:48

| title6 = Akin Ka Nalang

| writer6 = Johanne Angelo Nicolas

| extra6 = Rapadas

| length6 = 3:05

| title7 = Everytime I See You

| writer7 = P.O. Sorensen, R. Kristoffersen, M. Sjoberg

| extra7 = Rapadas

| length7 = 3:52

| total_length = 24:22

}}

• Kathleen Dy-Go – executive producer
• Ito Rapadas – producer
• Bobby Velasco, Alkemi Production, Fred Garcia, Ito Rapadas – song arrangers
• Gigi Arcay – guitarist
• Rommel Elliseo, Ito Rapadas – back-up vocalists
• Willy Villa at U.R. Recording Studio – song mixer and master
• Willy Villa and Gil Losenada at U.R. Recording Studio – record producers
• Doc Marion Pecjo – photographer
• Rex Atienza – stylist
• Denise Go – hair and makeup artist
• Anne Kate Pinero –album designer

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Philippines|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2013|certyear=2015|certref={{cite news|title=Alden Richards' self-titled album now platinum!|url=http://pop.inquirer.net/2015/11/alden-richards-self-titled-album-now-platinum/|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|access-date=November 16, 2015|date=November 2, 2015}}|salesref=}}

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Category:Album chart usages for BillboardWorld

Category:2013 debut EPs

Category:Alden Richards albums