Joaquin Pedro Valdes

Joaquin Pedro Valdes is a Filipino stage actor and singer. He began his career as a child actor and was a member of the boyband 17:28. He has since become known for playing Light in the London production of Death Note: The Musical in 2023.

Early life and education
Born in Makati, Philippines, Valdes started his stage career in the Philippines at the age of eleven, when cast in the musical Evita.

He studied Film and Audio Communication at the University of the Philippines Film Institute (UPFI). Valdes moved to London in 2017.

Musical Theatre
Valdes moved to the UK in 2017, when he was cast as understudy Thuy in the UK tour of Miss Saigon.

In 2018 he joined the International tour of The King and I, understudying the role of Lun Tha and performing alongside Kelli O'Hara and Ken Watanabe.

Valdes was then cast as Ram Sweeney in the West End run of Heathers: the Musical in 2021, with Jordan Luke Gage as JD, Christina Bennington as Veronica Sawyer, Jodie Steele, Bobbie Little and Frances Mayli McCann as "The Heathers".

In May 2023 it was announced that Death Note: the Musical will have its English premiere at the London Palladium in August, as a staged concert version. Valdes was cast in the lead role of Light Yagami, together with Frances Mayli McCann as Misa and Dean John-Wilson as L. The creative team of the UK version of the musical included Alexzandra Sarmiento as associate director and choreographer, Kimie Nakano as costume designer and Ben Cracknell as lighting designer.

The show's run was then extended to September and moved to the Lyric Theatre, with new cast members Georgie Maguire, Jessica Lee and Carl Man, taking over the roles of Ryuk, Misa and alternate L respectively.

In June 2023 Valdes joined the cast of Then, Now and Next at the Southwark Playhouse, as Alex's (Alice Fearn) love interest Stephen. The musical was written by Christopher J Orton and Jon Robyns and directed by Julie Atherton.

Music
In 2002 Valdes joined the boy band 17:28, under the name Wakie Valdes. The group included Jonard Yanzon, Giancarlo Magdangal and Chino Alfonso.

In 2005 the group announced their split to pursue different ventures.