Akira Morishita
森下 晃
BGYO Akira in January 2023
Born
Akira Morishita

(2001-04-27) 27 April 2001
Bulacan, Philippines
Other namesAki
EducationEnderun Colleges[1]
Occupations
  • Actor
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • composer
Years active2014–present
Agent(s)Star Hunt (2018–2020)
Star Magic (2020–present)
Known for
Musical career
GenresP-pop
Instrument(s)Vocals
LabelsStar Music
Old School Records

Akira Morishita (森下 晃, Morishita Akira, born April 27, 2001) is a Filipino-Japanese actor, singer and songwriter known for being a member and lead vocalist of the Filipino boy group BGYO. Morishita has co-written several tracks released by BGYO: "The Light" (2021), "Runnin'" (2021),[upper-alpha 1][2] "The Baddest" (2021),[3] "Kundiman" (2021), "Fly Away" (2021) and an original soundtrack for a series Bola Bola titled "Mahal Na Kita" (2022), of which he released a solo version of the song.[4]

Prior to his music career, Morishita started as an actor known for four movies: "Sundalong Kanin (Rice Soldiers)" (2014), "Alienasyon" (2014), "Kalel, 15" (2019), "'Tol" (2019); a television series All of Me (2015) and have appeared on several television commercials aired in the Philippines: Jollibee, Cherifer and Royal.[4]

In March 2022, he became part of iWantTFC's original miniseries Bola Bola.[4] In 2023, Morishita made a stage debut in Tabing Ilog: The Musical as "Rovic".[5]

Early life

Akira Morishita was born on the 27 April 2001 to a Japanese father and a Filipino mother; both of them worked as musicians in Japan. At a young age, he aspired to become part of the military or the airforce[6] but these were put aside when their family needed financial support by auditioning him for television and print ads.[4]

Career

Television and film career

His career in the entertainment industry began in 2014 when he played the role of Carding in the indie film Sundalong Kanin, a Cinemalaya film entry by Janice O'Hara that served as his first film appearance. He also appeared in other independent films including Alienasyon, also in 2014 and Kalel, 15 in 2019. In 2015, he made his first television appearance in ABS-CBN's afternoon drama series All of Me, playing the role of Ringo Dimaculangan.[4]

In 2022, while being a member of BGYO, he returned to acting through a main role in iWantTFC's teen romantic comedy series Bola Bola, starring Francine Diaz, KD Estrada, and Ashton Salvador. He plays Lucas Benitez, the long-time crush of Diaz's character Thea Balderama. He and his co-members from BGYO served as the performers of the show's theme song "Mahal Na Kita".[7]

Musical career

He joined the Star Hunt Academy after he met and was recommended by Laurenti M. Dyogi, ABS-CBN's resident director and head of its entertainment division.[4] Morishita was part of the original trainees of the Star Hunt Academy program, alongside Nate Porcalla, in 2018 and became part of "SHA Boys".[8] He and his four co-members were trained for two years under Filipino and South Korean mentors from MU Doctor Academy; vocal coach Kitchy Molina; and dance coach Mickey Perz.[9] They were officially announced in the pre-show of PBB Otso Big Night as Star Hunt trainees on August 3, 2019.[10]

Artistry

Morishita have cited Ed Sheeran and Shawn Mendes as musical inspirations.[11][12]

Impact and influence

Aside from being an idol, Morishita was known also as a dean's lister of his class.[13]

Personal life

He was raised in Bulacan with his three sisters and one brother.[4] His hobbies are drawing and painting, and playing various sports including basketball where he was a varsity player in high school, and eventually, he became part of the Star Magic All-Star Games; tennis; and badminton.[4][14] A fan of anime, he cites Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and its main character Tanjiro Kamado as his favorite anime and character, respectively.[4]

Discography

Collaborations

List of official collaboration singles showing year released and album name
Title Year Album Ref.
"Be Mine"
(with JL Toreliza)		 2023 Be Mine - Single [15]

Soundtracks

List of official soundtrack singles showing year released and album name
Title Year Album Ref.
"Mahal Na Kita" 2022 Bola Bola Original Soundtrack [16]

Production credits

All song credits are adapted from the Tidal, unless otherwise noted.

Morishita's Production Credits
Year Artist(s) Song Album Lyricist Composer Ref.
Credited With Credited With
2021 BGYO "The Light" The Light - Single
The Light		 Yes
  • Rogan
  • Ddank
  • Gelo Rivera
  • Akira Morishita
  • JL Toreliza
  • Mikki Claver
  • Nate Porcalla
 No
  • Rogan
  • Ddank
 [17]
BGYO
Keiko Necesario		 "Runnin'" Runnin' - Single No
  • Keiko Necesario
 Yes
  • Gelo Rivera
  • Akira Morishita
  • JL Toreliza
  • Mikki Claver
  • Nate Porcalla
  • Keiko Necesario
 [18]
BGYO "The Baddest" The Baddest - Single
The Light		 Yes
  • Angelo Troy Rivera (Gelo)
  • Akira Morishita
  • Jonathan Manalo
  • TC Mack
  • Tha Aristocratz
 Yes
  • Angelo Troy Rivera (Gelo)
  • Akira Morishita
  • Jonathan Manalo
  • TC Mack
  • Tha Aristocratz
 [19]
"Kundiman" The Light Yes
  • Akira Morishita
  • Jerwin Nicomedes
 Yes
  • Akira Morishita
  • Jerwin Nicomedes
 [20]
"Fly Away" Yes
  • Akira Morishita
 Yes
  • Akira Morishita
 [21]
2022 "Mahal Na Kita" Bola Bola Original Soundtrack Yes
  • Akira Morishita
  • Jonathan Manalo
 Yes
  • Akira Morishita
  • Jonathan Manalo
 [22]
Akira Morishita Yes Yes

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNote(s)
2019Kalel, 15 Balmaceda [4]
'Tol High School Dimitri
2014Sundalong Kanin Carding
Alienasyon

Television (linear and digital)

YearTitleNetworkRoleReference(s)
2015All of MeABS-CBN Ringo Dimaculangan [23]
2022Bola BolaiWantTFC Lucas Benitez [24][7]

Theater

Year Title Role Network Note(s) Ref.
2023 Tabing Ilog: The Musical 2023 Rolando Victor "Rovic" Mercado PETA
Star Magic		 Morishita played as "Rovic" in 12 out of 29 shows.[25] [26]

Series

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2021 ONE DREAM: The Bini - BGYO Journey Himself 9 episodes telecast worldwide via MYX Global's Myx TV and on-demand via iWantTFC [27]

Webcast

Year Title Role Network Note(s) Ref.
2020 SHA Trainees on Kumu Live Himself Kumu 3 episodes per week [28]
2021 ONE DREAM: Virtual Hangout iWantTFC YouTube Channel 9 episodes [27]
2022 BGYO Akira on Kumu Live Kumu 3 episodes per week [28]

Awards and nominations

Year Award ceremony Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2015 Inding-Indie Gawad Parangal Asian Excellence Award 2015 Inding-Indie Gawad Parangal Most Promising Actor of Indie Films Sundalong Kanin (for the role of Carding) won [29]

Notes

  1. ↑ "The track was part of the 4th Season of Coke Studio Philippines' Itodo Mo Beat Mo."

References

  1. ↑ "BGYO's Akira, BINI's Aiah to pursue college in Enderun with scholarship". ABS-CBN News. September 15, 2022. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  2. ↑ "BGYO Collaborates with Keiko Necesario in Original Song Runnin'". underoneceiling.com. May 23, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  3. ↑ "The Baddest - Song Credits". Star Music. August 20, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2022 – via Tidal.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Leika Golez (March 16, 2022). "6 Fast Facts You Need to Know About BGYO's Akira Morishita". candymag.com. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  5. ↑ Citations about Morishita's Stage Debut, as follows:
  6. ↑ Fregillana, Anna (July 22, 2021). "Akira on Chasing His Dream and Connecting to ACEs". parcinq.com. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  7. 1 2 Taculao, Patricia (March 26, 2022). "KD Estrada, Akira Morishita on being leading men in "Bola Bola"". Manila Standard. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  8. ↑ Calistina (March 3, 2021). "Interview with/avec BGYO". koukyouzen.com. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  9. ↑ Cupin, Bea (January 10, 2021). "BINI, SHA Boys, and ABS-CBN's plans to be 'regional, global player'". Rappler. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  10. ↑ Bardinas, Mary Ann. "Star Hunt Academy set to make more P-pop idols shine worldwide | ABS-CBN Entertainment". ABS-CBN Entertainment. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  11. ↑ Liezel dela Cruz (March 15, 2021). "Get up close and personal with BGYO as they share inspiring tales, dreams, and trivia bits". ent.abs-cbn.com. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  12. ↑ Calistina (March 3, 2021). "Interview with/avec BGYO". koukyouzen.com. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  13. ↑ "RAWR MAG: From an Indie Star to a Pop idol, the Rise of BGYO's Akira Morishita". lionheartv.net. October 3, 2021. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Donny, "Showtime" fam lead teams for Star Magic All-Star Games; Daniel to play badminton". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. ABS-CBN Corporation. April 13, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  15. ↑ "BGYO's Akira, JL team up for new single 'Be Mine'". ABS CBN News. October 2, 2023. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  16. ↑ "BGYO, Akira Morishita, and KD Estrada to sing for 'Bola Bola' OST". ppopwave.com. March 21, 2022. Archived from the original on March 22, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  17. ↑ Nino Llanera (October 6, 2021). "BGYO Drops "The Light" Album Sampler and New Single Teaser". myx.global. Archived from the original on October 11, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Runnin' - Song Credits". Star Music. June 18, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2022 – via Tidal.
  19. ↑ "The Baddest - Song Credits". Star Music. August 20, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2022 – via Tidal.
  20. ↑ "Kundiman - Song Credits". Star Music. October 7, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2022 – via Tidal.
  21. ↑ "Fly Away - Song Credits". Star Music. October 7, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2022 – via Tidal.
  22. ↑ "Mahal Na Kita - Song Credits". Star Music. March 25, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2022 – via Tidal.
  23. ↑ "ABS-CBN's "All of Me" tackles second chances at love with a twist beginning Monday". ABS-CBN Entertainment. ABS-CBN Corporation. August 25, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  24. ↑ Santos, Rhea Manila (March 22, 2022). "KD Estrada says Alexa Ilacad is 'super proud' of his new series "Bola Bola"". Push. ABS-CBN Entertainment. Archived from the original on March 23, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  25. ↑ "'Tabing Ilog The Musical' Releases Cast Schedules". Theater Fans Manila. October 25, 2023. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024 – via Musical News.
  26. ↑ Citations about Morishita as "Rovic" of Tabing Ilog:The Musical 2023 as follows:
  27. 1 2 "BGYO & BINI "One Dream: The Journey" New Series Airing on Weekly on MYX, Fan Interview Coming Soon with Your Questions". myx.global. September 3, 2021. Archived from the original on September 4, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  28. 1 2 "Digital: ABS-CBN stars, P-Pop idols flock to kumu, a #kumufied Kapamilya". Adobo Magazine. March 26, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  29. ↑ ""Sundalong Kanin" wins Best Film". Newsen. November 3, 2015. Archived from the original on June 23, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022 – via Manila Standard.
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