Being the son of veteran actors Gladys Reyes and Christopher Roxas comes with instant name recognition, but Christof — short for Gian-Christopher Sommereux — says his parents made sure he grew up without growing up in the shadow of their fame.
“What they’ve always known about me is that music is really my passion. Nothing else, honestly. I’m just very grateful to my parents because they never pushed me into anything,” he said during Star Magic’s monthly Spotlight press conference when asked how his parents view his career path.
According to him, Reyes, who is widely known as one of Philippine television’s most iconic villains, is very different off camera. Christof said his mother knows how to separate her screen persona from real life.
“I would have to say she’s very professional. She knows how to separate her persona. She’s very loving as a mother. What you see of her on TV is not how she is at home,” he shared.
He added that growing up with celebrity parents taught him values that now guide both his personal life and career.
“They remind me to be humble and remain grateful for what I have. At the end of the day, you’re the one who will create your own path,” Christof enthused.
Despite being surrounded by acting from an early age, Christof said music became his emotional outlet. While songwriting did not come easily at first, he said it eventually allowed him to express things he could not put into words.
“Songwriting didn’t come naturally to me at first, but over time I became very grateful for it because it helped me unleash all of my emotions,” he said.
That creative growth culminated in his alternative rock debut in 2025, marking his formal entry into the music scene. The release introduced listeners to a sound rooted in raw emotion and personal storytelling, with tracks such as “Sine,” “Take Care” and “Sira” anchoring the project. Other songs, including “Abot Bituin,” “Basta’t Ika’y Nariyan” and “Aren’t You Ready,” further reflect his range while staying true to the unpolished edge that defines his style.
As he explored different genres, Christof found himself drawn to rock, which he said felt instinctive and aligned with his personal philosophy.
“When I sing rock, it almost comes second nature to me. It’s very fun. What I like about rock is that it doesn’t confine you into a box,” he said.
He described the genre as raw and unapologetic, something that resonated with him as the child of parents who built careers on being publicly accepted.
“What I like about it is that it’s very authentic. It’s very much, ‘If you don’t like me, we don’t have a problem. You can find someone else,’” shared Christof
Alongside music, the 20-year-old is currently taking up Hotel and Restaurant Management. While he is still building his career, he said he has no intention of giving up his studies, even as his music career develops.
Meanwhile, asked about following his parents into acting or joining reality shows such as “Pinoy Big Brother,” Christof said, “As an artist, I’d like to explore more opportunities where I can showcase my craft.”
Though he is open to acting in the future — even alongside his parents — he said the timing has to be right.
“As of now, I don’t see myself doing much acting yet. I want to establish my name through my craft first,” he shared.
For now, Christof remains focused on music, supported by a family that has given him the space to grow into his own identity not just as the son of famous actors, but as an artist steadily defining his own sound.