MANILA, Philippines – A former vocalist of the band, Rivermaya auditioned for the second season of “The Voice of the Philippines” with an Eraserheads song.
Jason Fernandez sang “Ang Huling El Bimbo” during the show's blind audition. But it was not Bamboo Manalac, Rivermaya's original vocalist, who turned for Jason; instead, it was Apl.de.ap who recruited the artist to his team.
"Sometimes you don't have to do something extravagant to impress someone. Kasi I felt your voice, I felt your emotions and it gave me lot of ideas,” Apl.de.ap tells Fernandez.
Bamboo complemented Fernandez but said, “You sang it the way it was suppose to be sung. But ako, hinahanap ko nga (what I am looking for) is how do you define yourself from the rest. We want you to bring it and ako, I want you to bring it so I’m rooting for you, man.”
Fernandez joined Rivermaya in 2007 via a reality talent show but left the band in 2011. He later on became a solo artist and released his album “Panimula” in 2013.
Fernandez joins other professional singers and band members who tried their luck in “The Voice of the Philippines,” such as Lougee Basabas of Mojofly, Kai Honasan, Karla Estrada and Rachel Alejandro's cousin Nino.