• AV DEL CARMEN
Internationally-acclaimed Ilonggo singer and songwriter Jed Madela (John Edward Tiña Tajanlangit in real life) is holding the ‘Here and Now Concert’ on Dec. 10 to celebrate his 20th anniversary in the music industry.
The concert will be held at the Theatre at Solaire in Parañaque, Metro Manila.
“This is my major concert in 2023. It’s a celebration of my journey and my influence in the music industry,” Jed told NEGROS WEEKLY.
The concert serves as a kickoff for a series of tours hopefully in the entire country, the singer said, and bring the concert all over the world.
As proof of his influence and reach, Jed has been making a round of broadcast and print media establishments the last weeks in response to request for interviews about his 20th anniversary concert, his mother, Agnes Tiña Tajanlangit, told NEGROS WEEKLY.
Making special appearances in his anniversary show are Concert King Martin Nievera and Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid as well as upcoming artist Chelle.
Jed’s national and international acclaim as a singer started in 2003, when he represented the country in the Voice of Asia competition where he took the People’s Choice Award after emerging as the Grand Champion in the online polls and the Silver Trophy based on the panel of judges’ decision.
On his first year in the industry, he was awarded the “Best Voice of Asia Male Singer of the Year 2003” in Kazakhstan where he shared the limelight with Billy Joel and George Benson, recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Two years later, at the World Championship of the Performing Arts in the United States, he won all the six gold medals in the categories of the competition and was presented the Star Trophy and the most coveted plum title, the “Grand Champion Performer of the World”.
As the first Filipino to have earned the ultimate WCOPA honors, he topped more than 3,000 performers from over 50 countries.
In the past two decades, Jed has produced 11 albums, all multi-awarded and cited by award-winning bodies.
Just last month, at the Gawad Amerika Awards, Jed was presented the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award in Performing Arts in ceremonies held in Hollywood.
Indeed, it has been a long way for the 46-year-old Jed, who, his mother said, showed promise in singing at the age of 5, with his father, Roy Maddela Tajanlangit, coming from a family of music lovers, as his first mentor.
Jed is the eldest of the three children of the Tajanlangit couple.
Today, the Ilonggo singer maintains his influence in the industry by serving, among others, as a mainstay in the “ASAP Natin ‘To” television show and as resident jury in “Tawag Ng Tanghalan” segment of “It’s Showtime”.
In the spirit of the Christmas season, NEGROS WEEKLY interviewed Jed, who reiterated his gratitude and appreciation for the support and following of fellow Ilonggos in his two decades in the entertainment industry.
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Please tell us about your Christmas songs.
The last full Christmas album that I recorded was a few years back and it was called the “Voice of Christmas”. Since then I wasn’t able to record any Christmas album yet (the album includes well-loved carols and other Yuletide classics).
The last Christmas project that I did was a single entitled “A Very Merry Christmas”. It’s available in all streaming platforms.
To date how many albums have you recorded? Since when? How many of these are Christmas albums?
I only have one Christmas album and as far as I can remember, I have already recorded in the entire span of my career, 11 albums.
Do you have an original Christmas song/s? Please describe, if any.
The last Christmas song that I recorded entitled “A Very Merry Christmas” is an original song composed by Jimmy Borja, the guy behind the very popular song “Sana Ngayong Pasko” and “Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin”.
It embodies the real meaning of Christmas, which is the birth of Christ and the celebration of the season with loved ones, particularly the family. While listening to the song, it kinda reminds the listener on how Christmas was celebrated traditionally. It’s a reminder of how Christmas has evolved, and some traditions have already changed or have been forgotten. It kinda brings you back and reminds you of how Christmas was while growing up.
Any particular gift you have in mind you’d give yourself this year? Why this?
I would love to treat myself to a trip outside the Philippines. No place in particular, I just want to travel without thinking of work… travel without thinking of what I have to do.
A real vacation, a real break. I think for me – that’s one thing I really need because in this new chapter in my life I want to recharge myself and be prepared for the future work that I will be looking forward to.
What is your wish for Christmas 2023 for yourself and your family?
My Christmas wish for 2023, for myself and family would be good health. That’s top priority because with good health everything follows.
Aside from good health, I want my family and me to be happy – like sincerely happy and not the temporary happiness that we get from material things. How can we get that? I think it’s through peace of mind and contentment with what we have.
For the music industry?
I wish that real artists will be recognized and acknowledged and given opportunity – the right opportunities to be noticed because there are a lot of amazing talents who are just waiting for the right time and right people to work with in order for them to showcase what they have. I pray that these artists are acknowledged for the hard work that they put out in the music industry.
For fellow Ilonggos?
My wish for free fellow Ilonggos is for them to continue to be the “malambing” group among Filipinos that everybody look up, and being hospitable. Let’s keep that trait in our hearts because this is what makes us different from the rest. Also, let’s continue to make our city beautiful. Let’s all maintain the provincial vibe but let us also help our city move forward and make it more progressive. Likewise, let’s support Ilonggo artists – may it be a singer or a painter or an architect or an engineer or any Ilonggo for that matter. Let’s always be there to support them.
What keeps you busy this last quarter of 2023?
I will be celebrating my 20th anniversary in the industry and most of my days are spent planning for the concert, rehearsing and rehearsing. Aside from those, I am doing corporate shows, TV appearances and a lot of guestings.
So, on top of my musical career, I have gotten into the arts, particularly painting and art toy designing and producing. These are things that really show my creativity but more importantly, these are things that keep me grounded and relaxed because they are outlets for my creativity just like with my music.
What’s ahead for Jed in 2024?
2024 is very exciting for a Jed Madela because it’s gonna be a fresh, new start for me. It’s going to be the extension of my 20th anniversary tour. I’m excited to work with more people in the industry. I’m excited to travel more. I’m excited to expand my horizons when it comes to my music not just here in the Philippines but also in other countries. I see a bigger world for me this coming 2024 and I’m very, very excited to face everything head on.
Your words of appreciation for your followers all over?
I really believe that the lifeline of an artist are the fans. They are the reason why we are here. They are the reason why we continue to exist in our industry. My message for all my fans is that I am very truly grateful for all their efforts of supporting my music, my voice and sincerely sticking with me through thick and thin.
May we have your Christmas message for your followers, especially in Negros and the rest of Western Visayas?
To everybody who has been supporting me for the past 20 years, I want to extend my gratitude for the unconditional love and support that you’ve been giving me and my music. My wish especially for this Christmas season is for everybody to be an instrument to spread kindness and love. | AVDC
