"I really didn’t want to join the contest because I was afraid to lose," Jan confesses. "My officemates were the ones who prodded me and pushed me to try it out."
A management engineering graduate from the Ateneo de Manila University, Jan worked as a product manager for Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) then later moved to Unilever, where he took on the job of customer marketing manager for four years. But then, that was not God’s plan for someone whom He has blessed with innate singing talent. Jan had to quit his job after he landed in the Final 12 of Philippine Idol.
Looking back now, he has no regrets about making such decision. "I realized this is something that I really want to do," Jan maintains. "My schedule now is more manageable compared to the time I was doing office work. After Idol, I’m busy now with corporate shows and TV guestings. I also had a chance to do a few provincial shows."
He and fellow Philippine Idol finalist Gian Magdangal recently had the chance to perform with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) in a concert at the Velasquez Park in Salcedo Village, Makati City. He is now working on his solo album under Sony BMG Music. Last March 16, he guested in the show of bossa nova diva Sitti at the Music Museum.
Jan has no exclusive contract with ABC 5 after Philippine Idol, that’s why he is able to appear in other TV networks for guestings. Negotiations are now underway for him to join ABS-CBN’s Sunday noontime program, ASAP ’07, as a regular performer. He has a management contract, along with the other 11 Philippine Idol finalists, with I-Artist Asia Management under Sandra Chavez. The said outfit has been appointed by Fremantle Media, which holds the rights for Philippine Idol.
The youngest in a brood of six, 25-year-old Jan admits he took his singing talent from his dad, retired anesthesiologist Rolly Nieto. His mom is Health Undersecretary Ethel Nieto.
"Me and my five other siblings love to sing, but I’m the only one who pursued singing professionally," Jan says. "All of us prioritized our studies and finished college. I’m very thankful that my family is very supportive of my career now."
He cannot be thankful enough, too, for his fan base that supported him since Philippine Idol started middle of last year, up to this day.
To give in to the wishes of his fan base to see him perform again, Jan will reunite with the other 11 Philippine Idol finalists in a major concert on March 23 at the Araneta Coliseum. He will join anew Philippine Idol champ Mau Marcelo, Gian, Miguel Mendoza, Pow Chavez, Ken Dingle, Apples Chiu, Arms Cruz, Jeli Mateo, Reymond Sajor, Drae Ybañez and Stef Lazaro. The show is being mounted by Artist House and Live Artists Production and presented by PLDT, McDonald’s, Alaska, Sony BMG Music Entertainment and ABC 5.
"Since Philippine Idol ended last Dec. 10, the concert marks the first time for all of us to perform together again," Jan asserts.
Concert producer Sandra Chavez points out the Big Dome show, Final 12 in Concert, is a big event for the finalists to reminisce their Philippine Idol experience, sing the songs that made them popular and allow them to render new songs. "This is also a chance for their fan base to see them perform together again in a grand scale," Sandra adds.
The reunion concert will have the Philippine Idol band, led by Mel Villena, who’s also the musical director. Writer is Noel Ferrer, while stage direction is by Rich Illustre. The show will relive the excitement of the grand finals of the Philippine Idol competition right where it happened. Boasting of an exciting and sentimental repertoire of signature songs and current hits with grand production numbers, the musical event promises to be an unforgettable night for the Final 12.
Jan’s busy calendar has prevented him from getting seriously involved at the moment. But he is not complaining. "I don’t have a love life now," he admits. "But that’s not my priority now. I am given a chance to be known in the music business. I want to try out other things. Maybe, if there is an opportunity for me to try acting, I will accept it, although I know I have to take workshops first. This is the career path I had taken. I just want to do good."