MANILA, Philippines — When the parents are rooted in the family business, the children are expected to follow suit. Not all the time, though.
Promising singer Jericho Violago had wanted to be in the limelight since he was a kid. That early, he displayed his admirable talent for singing.
“When I was in fourth grade, I would merely sing in the shower,” 22-year-old Jericho recalled. “Once, I was in front of my computer, my dad caught me singing the songs with the lyrics. He was surprised.”
“I didn’t know you sing and you have a good voice,” Joselito told his youngest son in a brood of five children.
Jericho’s mom, Chiqui, lost no time in enhancing the talent of her son by making him take up formal voice lessons, one-on-one, under UP Conservatory of Music professor, Luz Moreta Martinez. Jericho was trained in classical singing, as he dished out tunes like O Sole Mio, Granada and Amapola.
When he was 10, he joined shows with sopranos. “When I turned 12, the play, The King and I, came to the Philippines, with shows at Resorts World in 2012,” Jericho shared. “I was in a weird age. I look too old to be a prince, but my voice was too high.
“I didn’t make it to The King and I. I was sad and a bit disappointed, but I easily moved on. I didn’t have major expectations. I didn’t cry,” he said.
The director of the musical advised Jericho to enroll in the music school to further develop his voice. “I was iffy about change at that time,” Jericho said. “If I enroll, my voice will eventually change and transition to something fuller. But that will help me get exposed to different fields and music genres.”
In 2014, when he was in Grade 8, Jericho enrolled in The Music School of Ryan Cayabyab. “The music that I was exposed to were Broadway, theater, OPM, particularly the songs of Ryan Cayabyab,” he recalled. “My voice became more theatrical. At the same time, every year, we would have recitals during summer, when there were no classes. We would have theater performances and acting workshops, led by Mrs. (Emmy) Cayabyab. From time to time, Mr. Ryan Cayabyab would visit the workshops to teach us.”
When he was in high school, Jericho joined the choir at Ateneo, as they sang regularly in the Mass. He also joined a new organization at that time, Il Voce, a pop a cappella group. When Il Voce joined Musikapella in 2014, they bagged the grand prize trophy.
“With the help of our vocal coach, we won,” Jericho said. “Of course, we were very happy at that time. We were very shocked that we were newcomers and we won.”
By the time Jericho entered college in 2018, Asia’s Got Talent was in Manila for two days. “I auditioned at Quezon City Circle, but unfortunately, I didn’t get in,” Jericho said. “I was sad, but it was a learning experience for me.”
In college, Jericho’s mom asked him if he wanted to continue singing. “I told my mom, ‘Ma, I want to try being a soloist.’ All my life, I’ve been singing with a choir, with a group, with other people. So, in college, any opportunity I would see, I would take. Whenever I would join orgs and they needed a performer, I would always volunteer.”
Jericho obtained his BS Management degree from Ateneo de Manila University two months ago. “Since I’m the only business major in the family, both my parents, who are businessman and businesswoman, have been sending me feelers even before I graduated, to manage the family business.”
The Violagos have a rice mill in San Jose, Nueva Ecija. Jericho’s parents are there on weekdays and they only see each their kids on weekends. Jericho was offered by his dad a key position in their business. Yet, Jericho politely declined.
“They always asked me if I wanted to work in the business, since I’m the only business major in the family,” Jericho offered. “One day, my dad very calmly called me up and asked me what my plan was. I told him, ‘Pa, to be honest, I want to be a performer and a singer.’ Ever since, I have wanted to become a performer. I feel like if I don’t pursue that, I’ll regret it later. I don’t want to have regrets in life. I don’t want to have ‘What ifs’?
“I always want to try new things. I am always willing to try something new,” he added. “Singing is the only thing that I really want. I love to sing. I love to learn. I still have a lot to do. There is a lot more to learn and experience. I have to be ready for everything.”
Thankfully, his parents have been very supportive of Jericho’s chosen career. “Ever since I told him that I wanted to perform, my dad always asks me for updates about my performances and my gigs.”
Veteran composer and record producer Vehnee Saturno wrote two original songs for Jericho’s debut album. Jonathan Manalo will likewise contribute his original compositions. Jericho is jointly managed by Ogie Diaz and Emy Domingo.