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Jay R

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with JR (disambiguation) or Jay-R Siaboc.

Jay R
Born
Gaudencio Sillona III[fn 1]

(1981-02-01) February 1, 1981 (age 44)
Glendale, California, U.S.
NationalityFilipino-American
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • actor
  • model
Years active1997–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2020)​
Musical career
Genres
Instrument
  • Vocals
Labels
Websitejayrsmusic.com

Gaudencio Sillona III[fn 1] (born February 1, 1981), known professionally as Jay R, is a Filipino-American[1] singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, and model. In 2003, he released his debut album, Gameface, under Universal Records.[2] The album was certified platinum by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI), and included the single "Bakit Pa Ba".[3]

In 2004, he collaborated with Filipino singer Kyla on the single "Not Your Ordinary Girl" from her album of the same name. The two later released additional duets, including "Back In Time," "Say That You Love Me," "You Are Not Alone," and "Undeniable".[4] That year, he made his film debut in Happy Together and released his second studio album, a self-titled work, in 2005.[5]

In 2006, Jay R founded a recording studio and an independent record label, initially named JAYRS Music and later rebranded as Homeworkz Records.[citation needed] He also released a Christmas album, Christmas Away from Home, dedicated to his late uncle Reny. The album was reissued in 2008, with proceeds directed to the GMA Kapuso Foundation.[citation needed]

In early 2010, Jay R released Jay R Sings OPM Love Classics, an album featuring revivals of Original Pilipino Music love songs. He also recorded a song intended for release in Indonesia. He appeared as a performer on the GMA network's musical variety show Party Pilipinas and served as the host of the Philippine adaptation of the dating game show Take Me Out.[6]

In 2014, after over a decade with GMA Network, Jay R transferred to ABS-CBN. He debuted on the network as a contestant on the impersonation competition Your Face Sounds Familiar, marking his first appearance on a reality show.[citation needed]

Early life

[edit]

Jay R was born on 1 February 1981, in Glendale, California. He was raised in Barangay U.P. Campus and Daan Tubo, Quezon City.[citation needed]

His father, Gaudencio Sillona Jr., is a pianist and his mother, Amparo Aquino-Sillona, is a singer. As of 2004, his career was managed by his aunt, choreographer Geleen Eugenio.[citation needed] He speaks fluent Tagalog and cites Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, and Gary Valenciano as musical influences during his youth.[1]

Music career

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2003–2005: Gameface and self-titled album

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In 2003, Sillona signed a contract with Universal Records and released his debut album Gameface, which included two Tagalog songs—"Kaibigan" and "Bakit Pa Ba".[citation needed] The music video for his first single, "Design for Luv",[7] an R&B, hip-hop track, was filmed in Hollywood with Ray Brown. The second single "Bakit Pa Ba," became the album's most successful track.[citation needed]

Gameface was re-released in 2004 with two additional songs, later used as singles. The album was both commercially and critically successful, earning Platinum certification by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry.[8] It was also nominated for multiple awards and won Sillona the Favorite Male Artist award at the 2004 MTV Pilipinas Music Awards and "Best Ballad" at the Awit Awards for "Bakit Pa Ba". In April 2004, he headlined his first solo concert, Gameface the Concert,[9] at the Music Museum, followed by Gameface Reload in September 2004.

Following the success of his debut, Sillona released Jay R, his self-titled second album, which introduced a more intricate R&B sound. It included a cover of Billy Joel's "Just the Way You Are" and an alternate version featuring Irish pop singer Samantha Mumba.[10] The album also featured collaborations with rappers Young Clipp, Jdimes, and longtime collaborators, Jimmy Muna and Kris Lawrence.[10] While the album received positive reviews, including praise from Titik Pilipino,[11] it did not win any major awards but achieved Gold certification from PARI.

In 2005, Sillona appeared in Footloose: The Musical, alongside Iya Villania.[12][13] He contributed as a featured artist, songwriter, and producer on Karylle's album, You Make Me Sing.[14]

2006–2009: Homeworkz Records

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In 2006, Sillona built Homeworkz, a recording studio in his home, and established his label, initially named JAYRS Music. He described the studio as a cost-efficient and convenient space for recording, which he designed himself to resemble a modern bachelor pad.[15] In 2008, the label was rebranded as Homeworkz Entertainment Services.[citation needed]

In November 2006, Sillona released his first Christmas album, Christmas Away from Home,[citation needed] featuring classic Christmas songs and two original tracks. A re-release in 2008, titled Holiday of Love, added six new tracks, with proceeds donated to GMA-7's Kapuso Foundation.

Early in 2008, Sillona released Soul in Love, a cover album, featuring R&B and jazz classics that influenced him. The album was well-received, achieving Gold certification in the Philippines and later earning Platinum status.[16] The album won him the R&B Artist of the Year award at the 2008 Philippine Hip-Hop Awards[17] and a nomination for Best Male Soul/R&B Artist at the inaugural Wave 89.1 Urban Music Awards in 2009.[18] To support the album, Sillona performed in Japan and collaborated with artists including Iya Villania, Kris Aquino, Kris Lawrence, and Billy Crawford.[19][20][21]

2010–2012: Jay R Sings OPM Love Classics and International exposure

[edit]

In early 2010, Sillona released Jay R Sings OPM Love Classics, an all-Tagalog cover album. The album features 13 songs recorded by prominent OPM artists in the 1980s and 1990s. Inquirer Entertainment commended the album for Sillona's vocal ability, stating that his voice "practically breezes through most of the ballads."[20][citation needed]

On September 2, 2010, Sillona signed a three-year contract with Tarra Group Indonesia in Jakarta. As part of this contract, Sillona collaborated with Indonesian pop artist Drimi on "Kau Dan Aku". [citation needed]

2014: Elevated album

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Jay released his Elevated album in 2014, under his label Homeworkz. The single Tonight, featuring Mica Javier, rose to the top of the radio charts at No. 1 and was awarded best R&B song of the year by Wave 89.1 FM and 93.1 Monster FM.[citation needed] The album reached Gold status and was awarded by PARI (Philippine Association of the Recording Industry) on ABS-CBN TV show ASAP channel 2.[24][citation needed]

In 2016, Jay R was announced as a member of the R&B group ASAP titled ASAP Soul Sessions, along with Jason Dy, Daryl Ong, KZ Tandingan, and Kyla. The group formed on May 15, 2016, and disbanded in late 2017.[citation needed]

2017–present: Kamusta Ka album

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In late 2017, Homeworkz launched a teaser single entitled Kabilang Dako written by Thyro and Jay R. The song won R&B Song of the Year on Wave 89.1 FM and Wish FM Awards.[citation needed]

In 2018, Jay R signed up with Cornerstone Entertainment.[citation needed]

Acting career

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In 2004, Sillona appeared in a recurring role on GMA-7's drama series Narito Ang Puso Ko. It was followed by a main role on an episode of Love to Love entitled "Duet for Love", where he starred opposite Toni Gonzaga. In December 2004, he made his film debut, a minor role in Regal Films' entry for the year's Metro Manila Film Festival, So Happy Together.[citation needed]

In 2005, he was cast on another episode of Love to Love, entitled "Haunted Lovehouse". He later starred in a feature film, Hari ng Sablay, released on November 30, 2005. Before the year ended, he played the antagonist role of Haring Bagulbol on Exodus: Tales from the Enchanted Kingdom. The film was Regal's entry for the 2005 Metro Manila Film Festival. It was critically acclaimed, earning ten awards and numerous nominations. In addition, the film was praised due to its impressive use of visual effects.[by whom?][citation needed]

In 2006, Sillona took a recurring role on Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas. He portrayed Azulan, a leader of the Bahaghari, who fancies Sang'gre Amihan (Iza Calzado). On January 1, 2008, he starred in another Metro Manila Film Festival entry entitled Desperados. In October of the same year, he portrayed Pato, a recurring role in the Filipino adaptation of LaLola. Before 2008 ended, Desperados was followed by its sequel, rushed as Regal's entry at the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival.[citation needed] In 2009, he played Vince, a lead role in Dear Friend's episode, "The Three Bachelors", which featured his opposite longtime music partner Kyla.[citation needed]

Other ventures

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In February 2007, Sillona launched a club at Glorietta, called Rock Candy. However, it was destroyed during the 2007 Glorietta Explosion in October 2007.[1][citation needed] After the disaster, he invested in a Ministop outlet at Wilson Street in Greenhills Shopping Center, instead of reconstructing his club. He stated in an interview that Katya Santos was the one who recommended investing in this kind of business.[citation needed]

Sillona has done commercials and theme songs for products like Sun Cellular, Tropicana, and Colgate.[citation needed] He is also a commercial model for Bench Body, Atlas Shippers International, Techno Marine, Unisilver, Adidas, Skechers, and Calayan Surgicenter.[7][8][9][10][citation needed]

Personal life

[edit]

On March 1, 2020, Jay R married singer-actress Mica Javier in an outdoor ceremony at the Lind in Boracay, Malay, Aklan.

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Jay R discography

Filmography

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Film

[edit]
Year Film Role
2004 Happy Together Brent
2005 Hari ng Sablay Adonis
Exodus: Tales from the Enchanted Kingdom Haring Bagulbol
2007 Desperadas Vito
2008 Desperadas 2
2015 Beauty and the Bestie Himself

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2003–2010 SOP Himself 2003/2010
2004 MYX shows Celebrity VJ (March 2004, December 2005, April 2010)
Narito ang Puso Ko Recurring role
Love to Love Marvin Episode "Duet for Love"
2005 Bogart Episode "Haunted Lovehouse"
2006 Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas Azulan Recurring Role
2008–2009 LaLola Pato Recurring role (2008/2009)
2009 Dear Friend Vince Gonzales Episode "The Three Bachelors"
2010 Party Pilipinas Himself 2010/2013
Take Me Out Host
Channel V Philippines shows V.I.P. Artist (May 2010)
2011 Magic Palayok Nico Recurring role
Time of My Life Michael Guest
2013 Sunday All Stars Himself 2013/2015
2015 It's Showtime Guest Hurado
2015–present ASAP Himself/Performer 1st Regular Show On ABS-CBN
2015 Your Face Sounds Familiar 1 Himself, Contestant-Performer 3rd placer
It's Showtime Himself Guest Hurado / Contestant on "Ansabe?"/ Guest Performer
2016 We Love OPM Himself/Mentor Team Hot Spots
2020 SNL Himself/Artist
ASAP Natin 'To

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Giving Body Category Nominated Work Results
2004 Aliw Awards Most Promising Male Entertainer Jay R (himself) Won[22]
Awit Awards Song of the Year "Bakit Pa Ba" Nominated[23]
Best Ballad Won[24]
Music Video of the Year Nominated[23]
MTV Pilipinas Music Awards Favorite Male Video Won[25]
Favorite New Artist in a Video Nominated[26]
2005 Aliw Awards Best Male Major Concert Gameface Reload Nominated[27]
Philippine Hip-Hop Music Awards Male R&B Artist of the Year Jay R (himself) Nominated[28]
R&B Video of the Year "Bakit Pa Ba" Nominated[28]
2006 Awit Awards Best Performance by a Duet "Say That You Love Me"
(Jay R and Kyla) 		Nominated[29]
Best R&B "You Make Me Sing"
(Karylle; co-produced by Jay R) 		Nominated[29]
MYX Music Awards Favorite Male Artist Jay R (himself) Nominated[30]
Favorite Collaboration "Say That You Love Me"
(Jay R and Kyla) 		Nominated[30]
Favorite Urban Video "Just the Way You Are" Nominated[30]
2007 Philippine Hip-Hop Music Awards R&B Artist of the Year Jay R (himself) Nominated[31]
2008 ASAP 24K Awards Gold Record Award Soul in Love Won
Philippine Hip-Hop Music Awards R&B Artist of the Year Jay R (himself) Won[32]
2009 ASAP Platinum Circle Awards Platinum Circle Award for Certifying Platinum Soul in Love Won
Awit Awards Best Performance by a Duet "Back in Time"
(Kyla and Jay R) 		Nominated[33]
PMPC Star Awards for Music R&B Album of the Year Soul in Love Nominated[34]
R&B Artist of the Year Jay R (himself) Nominated[34]
RX 93.1 OPM Song of the Year "Back in Time"
(Kyla and Jay R) 		Won[35]
Wave 89.1 Urban Music Awards Best Male Soul/R&B Artist Jay R (himself) Nominated[36]
Best Remake "Tattooed on My Mind"
(with D'Sound) 		Nominated[36]
Best Collaboration "Back in Time"
(Kyla and Jay R) 		Won[37]
Male Style Icon Award Jay R (himself) Nominated[36]
2010 MYX Music Awards Favorite Song "Back in Time"
(Kyla and Jay R) 		Won
Favorite Collaboration Nominated
PMPC Star Awards for Music R&B Artist of the Year Jay R (himself) Won[38]
Wave 89.1 Urban Music Awards Best Male Soul/R&B Artist Nominated[39]
Male Style Icon Award Nominated[39]
2011 Awit Awards Best Collaboration "Muli"
(Jay R and Nina) 		Nominated[40]
Album of the Year Jay R Sings OPM Love Classics Nominated[40]
MYX Music Awards Favorite Remake "Himala" Nominated
2018 Wish Music Awards Wishclusive R&B Performance of the Year "Kabilang Dako" Nominated[41]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b Jay R is a United States citizen. Thus, he does not possess his mother's maiden name (Aquino) as is the convention in the Philippines.

References

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  1. ^ a b Ricky Lo (April 11, 2004) "Jay R: The Heart of The Hunk", The Philippine Star
  2. ^ Jay R - Gameface, 2003, retrieved August 25, 2023
  3. ^ "Jay R Biography". LiveOne. April 14, 2025. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  4. ^ Kyla and Jay R are Filipino R&B's Greatest Musical Soulmates}, October 13, 2023, retrieved December 27, 2024
  5. ^ "Jay R - Jay R OPM Albums - The Online Resource for Filipino Songs". web.archive.org. December 4, 2009. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  6. ^ Bong Godinez (April 26, 2010) "Jay-R's Take Me Out debuts today, April 26", Philippine Entertainment Portal
  7. ^ "Jay R's Titik Pilipino summarized biography and early career[usurped]". titikpilipino.com Retrieved February 8, 2010
  8. ^ "Gameface tracks and info, it went Platinum". CDBaby.com Retrieved August 29, 2010
  9. ^ "Jay R's first major concert at the Music Museum entitled Gameface the Concert Archived 2011-06-08 at the Wayback Machine". Manila Bulletin Retrieved September 3, 2010
  10. ^ a b Antonette R. Valdez, Showbiz, "I won’t run away from my responsibility — Jay-R", Manila Bulletin, March 19, 2006
  11. ^ "Jay R album review on titik pilipino[usurped]". titikpilipino.com Retrieved 2010-009-03
  12. ^ Michael Ancheta (June 4, 2007) "Footloose musical in 2005 headlined by Jay R and Iya", Philippine Entertainment Portal
  13. ^ STAGES, News, "Footloose the Musical[usurped]", Titik Pilipino, August 28, 2005
  14. ^ Ryan Mark (August 14, 2005) "Bag-ong album ni Karylle 'materiales fuertes'", The Philippine Star
  15. ^ Dennis Ladaw, Homeworkz Records, House Music Archived July 25, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, Manila Bulletin, January 26, 2010
  16. ^ Nerisa Almo (July 9, 2008) "Jay R denies rumors about jumping to the other network", Philippine Entertainment Portal
  17. ^ "List of Philippine Hip-Hop Awards 2008 winners[usurped]". Titik Pilipino Retrieved September 3, 2010
  18. ^ "List of Wave 89.1 Urban Music Awards 2009 nominees and winners Archived 2009-11-19 at the Wayback Machine". Wave 89.1 Retrieved August 3, 2010
  19. ^ Jocelyn Dimaculangan (October 30, 2008) "Jay R does a duet with Iya for 'Always'", Philippine Entertainment Portal
  20. ^ "Jay R covers Boyz II Men for Kris Aquino", Philippine Entertainment Portal. September 28, 2008
  21. ^ Ricky Calderon (June 23, 2009) "Jay R contributes on Kris Lawrence album", Philippine Entertainment Portal
  22. ^ "Aliw Awards 2004 winners list". sarahg.com/forum Retrieved January 18, 2010
  23. ^ a b "Awit Awards 2004 nominees list[usurped]". titikpilipino.com Retrieved February 18, 2010
  24. ^ "Awit Awards 2004 winners list with Jay R grabbing the Best R&B award[usurped]". titikpilipino.com Retrieved February 18, 2010
  25. ^ "MTV Pilipinas Awards winners for Fave Male Artist category". wiki.org Retrieved January 18, 2010
  26. ^ "MTV Pilipinas Awards nominees for 2004[usurped]". titikpilipino.com Retrieved February 8, 2010
  27. ^ "Aliw Awards 2005 nominees list". garryokecruz.wordpress.com Retrieved February 18, 2010
  28. ^ a b "List of Philippine Hip-Hop Awards 2005 winners and nominees[usurped]". Titik Pilipino Retrieved September 2, 2010
  29. ^ a b "Awit Awards 2006 nominees list[usurped]". titikpilipino.com Retrieved February 18, 2010
  30. ^ a b c Baby A. Gil (May 1, 2006). "List of 1st MYX Music Awards nominees". PhilStar. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  31. ^ "Phil Hip-Hop Awards 2007 R&B Artist of the Year Award goes to Soul Siren Nina Archived April 22, 2009, at the Wayback Machine". NSS.com/awards Retrieved February 18, 2010
  32. ^ "Phil Hip-Hop Awards 2008 winners list[usurped]". titikpilipino.com Retrieved February 18, 2010
  33. ^ "Awit Awards 2009 nominees list Archived January 29, 2010, at the Wayback Machine". Retrieved February 18, 2010
  34. ^ a b "1st Star Awards for Music to be held at the Skydome, SM North". Philippine Entertainment Portal. October 13, 2009. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  35. ^ "RX 93.1 Year End Countdown winners". stir.phretrieved January 31, 2010
  36. ^ a b c "List of current Urban Music Awards Wave 89.1 nominees Archived 2009-11-19 at the Wayback Machine". wave891.fm Retrieved January 31, 2010
  37. ^ "Big winners of the 1st Urban Music Awards". stir.phretrieved January 31, 2010
  38. ^ William Reyes (October 11, 2010). "Sarah Geronimo, Christian Bautista and Erik Santos win top honors at the 2nd Star Awards for Music". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
  39. ^ a b "Wave 89.9 2nd Urban Music Awards". iamgab.me. Archived from the original on April 8, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  40. ^ a b "Awit Awards 2011 current winners list Archived 2012-03-31 at the Wayback Machine" retrieved July 24, 2011.
  41. ^ "Full List: 3rd Wish 107.5 Music Awards Winners". wish1075.com. January 15, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
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