Melanie Alvarez (born Melanie Hernandez Calumpad), better known by her stage name Kyla, is a Filipino R&B singer-songwriter occasional actress and presenter. Kyla began her career in 2000 under OctoArts EMI Philippines and rose to prominence with the release of her second single "Hanggang Ngayon" (English translation: "Until Now"). The song won the MTV Viewers' Choice for Southeast Asia at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards making her the first East Asian female artist to win at the MTV Video Music Awards Known in the Philippines as "the Queen of R&B", her work has earned her several achievements, including a star on the Walk of Fame in the Philippines, and MTV Video Music Award, twelve Awit Awards, four MTV Philippines Music Award, and six MYX Music Awards. She was honored by the Philippines Society of Composers, Singers, and Publishers for her contributions to music as one of the first pioneers of R&B music in the country. In 2015, Kyla signed with Cornerstone Entertainment and transferred to ABS-CBN after over 15 years with GMA Network. Kyla signed a contract with Star Music after 16 years with PolyEast Records (EMI Philippines) on December 6, 2016. Kyla was a member of the Filipino project girl group DIVAS along with KZ Tandingan, Yeng Constantino, and Angeline Quinto. Biography Early life and discovery Born Melanie Hernandez Calumpad in Tondo, Manila, she was weaned on her parents' old school soul and jazz records: Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Aretha Franklin. She soon developed an affinity for singing, hogging the mic every single chance she gets. By her 10th birthday, she was already joining many prestigious TV singing contests. "Tanghalan ng Kampeon" was her first singing contest but on DZRH "Hamon sa Kampeon" was her first win in 1991. She was lording over "Tanghalan ng Kampeon" for six straight weeks, and with her powerful interpretation of Jennifer Holliday's "I Am Changing" became the show's grand champion in 1993. She graduated high school at San Sebastian College - Recoletos and earned her bachelor's degree of BS Mass Communication in Philippine Christian University. Veteran director Al Quinn saw her potential and encouraged her to join the immensely popular Wednesday group of That's Entertainment, an afternoon variety show on GMA Network using her real name, Melanie, as her screen name. Melanie represented the country in the Fourth Yamaha Music Quest in August 1995 in Japan, where she interpreted the Vehnee