Music downloading and streaming may have taken the entire music industry, but these alternative ways of enjoying music did not stop local showbiz’s Golden Boy from convincing his legion of fans to buy his record.
Alden Richards has just earned a Diamond Record award for his album Wish I May. The album was certified by PARI (Philippine Association of Record Industry) after it sold more than 150,000 physical copies.
The Kapuso actor received his 9th and 10th Platinum awards during the Oct. 9 episode of Sunday Pinasaya, where the 24-year-old actor is one of the regular hosts and performers.
“Never in my wildest dreams and imagination that this album would reach Diamond Record, I’m speechless. I would like to extend my gratitude to all the people who continuously support my recording career,” said Richards.
Just last month, Richard’s sophomore album received the 8x Platinum Award, and people predicted that the record would reach Diamond status before the year ends. But everyone was not surprised when Wish I May exceeded everyone’s expectation.
In 1990, PARI began certifying recorded music in the Philippines. Constant Change by Jose Mari Chan was the first ever album to be certified Diamond on Nov. 10, 1990. Since the awards program was launched, only seven albums were certified Diamond by PARI. Aside from Constant Change, Chan’s Christmas in Our Hearts was also certified for selling more than 800,000 copies.
Now that Richards has released another record, which is currently topping iTunes Philippines’ music chart, will he make another music history for being the second OPM artist to receive two Diamond Record award? Our guts tell us it’s highly likely to happen.
