Jed Madela
What a delight it is to watch my good friends, Jed Madela and Nyoy Volante, working their magic together as mentors of the kids in ABS-CBN’s “Your Face Sounds Familiar.”
They make quite a formidable combination. The show’s young protégés are definitely in good hands. Jed and Nyoy inspire the kids to keep singing because it will take them where they want to go.
Here’s my chat with Jed (J) and Nyoy (N):
What’s the toughest part of mentoring kids?
J: It’s tough trying to keep them focused or teaching them how to “play” with their voices. We can only do so much since their voices are not yet that developed.
N: Short attention span, playfulness and occasional mood swings.
How does your teamwork as mentors go?
J: Nyoy is in charge of facial mannerisms and movement, while I focus on voice. But if one has additional ideas and techniques, we help each other out to make our jobs easier.
N: Despite having particular assignments, we often find ourselves helping each other out when we get fresh ideas.
Any embarrassing moment onstage?
J: In a mall show, people were screaming and howling, and I thought they were enjoying my songs. To my surprise, it was because my zipper was wide open.
N: I dozed off onstage because I lacked sleep. It happened during the instrumental part. Woke up as I was about to sing the chorus.
Nyoy Volante
Do you still get jitters before a concert?
J: All the time. May it be a small appearance or a big event. But once I’m onstage, it goes away.
N: At this point, it’s more eagerness than nervousness. I just want to start right away.
What’s your personal anthem?
J: “Warrior is a Child.” People perceive me as this strong and untouchable person on a pedestal. They forget that I’m human, too. I also get tired and hurt.
N: I wrote a song entitled “This is My Song.” It’s about an artist who’s now ready to show the world what he’s capable of.
What was the worst intrigue about you, and how did you handle it?
J: Name it, I’ve encountered it. When I was new, I would get so affected to the point that I wanted to quit. You develop thick skin eventually. But the people I surround myself with give me strength and purpose.
N: That I’m gay. I still get that until now. All the more because I portrayed a drag queen in “Kinky Boots.” I really don’t mind it. It’s actually funny.
If your life story would be made into a song, what would the title be, and who’s the singer whom you would choose to sing it?
J: “You are My Music,” and I’d like Regine Velasquez to sing it.
N: My composition, “This is My Song.” I want Hugh Jackman to sing it because he’s my hero.
* * *
Personal: Damo guid nga salamat to my pinalangga friends Allan and Ning Tajanlangit, Mavic Canieso, Pauline Banusing of Farm to Table Resto, Rey Pelengco of Y2K Resto, Nonoi Ybiernas of The Mansion, Roy Loreno, Mitch Torres, Nanette Tomeo and Leo Villavert for another memorable Iloilo vacay.