Singing as an all-consuming passion

The toned-down, unobtrusive cover of his self-designed CD speaks a lot about new singer Jayson Martinez. The color is a self-effacing gray, with the letter J standing out in a big, bold red hue. No frills, no loud designs or strokes. Just his photo in a casual shirt against a plain gray background.

Jayson, 18, and the youngest child in a family involved in the printing business, wants it that way. He wants the music to sell, not the packaging. Substance comes first.

One glance at those dusky looks reminds you of a younger Ariel Rivera, complete with a penchant for ballads. And he wouldn’t mind becoming the next Ariel, thank you.

Although he’s a sophomore at the College of St. Benilde, taking up Information Service Management, singing and dancing has always been a passion for the 5’7" tall Jayson (real name: Christian Jayson Martinez Dimaapi).

His is the typical story of a kid whose talents stood as early as his grade school days. Jayson’s innate sense of rhythm and melody landed him the job of choreographer in many a school program.

At 11, he auditioned, and passed Coney Angeles’ now-defunct kiddie show Pen Pen de Sarapen. He stayed on for two and a half years, then joined a boy band that performed at German Moreno’s That’s Entertainment. Jayson was only 12 then.

His talent stood out and he was asked to join the youth-oriented TV show, which was then about to fade away from the small screen. Brief though his exposure was, it was enough to give Jayson a taste of showbiz. And what a heady exposure it was! Jayson got hooked, for keeps.

Even now, he is a member of the La Salle dance group Booties, which has performed in SOP. And, even without formal music lessons, he was able to compose the song I Don’t Believe You, based on his older sister’s true-to-life experience. The song is part of Jayson’s self-titled CD under Star Records.

The gutsy guy (you have to be in order to compete in a field packed with several talented wannabes) says he’s willing to stick it out in singing for as long as he and the public want it.

Well then Jayson, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and buckle down to work. There’s a lot of competition to wade through, a tough fight ahead.

But given your optimism and never-say-die outlook, it can very well be an uphill climb.