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His father, Gaudencio Sillona Jr., was a pianist and his mother, Amparo Aquino-Sillona, is a singer. As of 2004, his career was managed by his aunt, choreographer Geleen Eugenio.[4] He speaks fluent Tagalog and cites Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, and Gary Valenciano as musical influences during his youth.[1]
Music career
2003–2005: Gameface and self-titled album
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".[5] The music video for his first single, "Design for Luv",[6] 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.[7]
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 self titled Jay R, his second album, which introduced a more R&B-oriented 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 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".[12] That year, he made his film debut in Happy Together and released his second studio album, a self-titled work, in 2005.[13]
In 2005, Sillona appeared in Footloose: The Musical, alongside Iya Villania.[14][15] He contributed as a featured artist, songwriter, and producer on Karylle's album, You Make Me Sing.[16]
2006–2009: Homeworkz Records
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.[17]
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.[18] The album won him the R&B Artist of the Year award at the 2008 Philippine Hip-Hop Awards[19] and a nomination for Best Male Soul/R&B Artist at the inaugural Wave 89.1 Urban Music Awards in 2009.[20] To support the album, Sillona performed in Japan and collaborated with artists including Iya Villania, Kris Aquino, Kris Lawrence, and Billy Crawford.[21][22][23]
2010–2012: Jay R Sings OPM Love Classics and International exposure
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."[citation needed]
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.[24]
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
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 was awarded Gold status by PARI (Philippine Association of the Recording Industry) during the ABS-CBN TV show ASAP on Channel 2.[24][citation needed]
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]
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
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.[25]
In 2018, Jay R signed with Cornerstone Entertainment.[26]
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]
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
On March 1, 2020, Jay R married model and singer-actress Mica Javier in an outdoor ceremony at the Lind in Boracay, Malay, Aklan.
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