World champion Jed Madela is such a good singer that even dignitaries who have watched him perform are impressed.
JED MADELA
One of the most recent is President Ram Nath Kovind of the Republic of India who was in Manila for a state visit. At the dinner hosted for President Kovind at Malacañang Palace by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, Jed performed John Lennon’s “Imagine” and Josh Groban’s “You Raise Me Up.”
During the meet and greet, Jed recalled President Kovind telling him, while gesturing toward President Duterte as he spoke, “He tells me you are a champion from the World Championships of the Performing Arts, where you won six gold medals. What an honor to hear you sing. What a privilege.”
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind unveils of the bust of Mahatma Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi at the campus grounds of MIriam College in Quezon City which was attended by Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, members of the Diplomatic Corps and some cabinet officials yesterday. (PHOTO/ ALVIN KASIBAN)
In an interview prior to that event, Jed told Bulletin Entertainment he is back to promoting his latest album, “Superhero.” Though it was launched last year, with the first single even turning out to be a mild hit, the full-on promotions got sideswiped by Jed’s live singing engagements here and abroad.
“Pero naisip ko na sayang naman ’yung mga kanta kung ’di maririnig ng mga tao, so I decided to sort of re-launch this album,” he said. “I don’t mind going the extra mile for this—even if it means dipping into my pocket—because I really believe in the songs.”
Released under Star Records, some of the tracks in “Superhero” that Jed played to us over lunch at Pamana Restaurant are the title track, “’Di Matitinag,” “Never Bring Me Down,” “You Were Mine (Even Just For A While),” “No More Music,” and “Magkaiba Man Ang Ating Mundo.”
JED meets President Ram Nath Kovind of the Republic of India
Before the holidays, Jed went viral with his cover of December Avenue’s hit “Kung ’Di Rin Lang Ikaw” in collaboration with “Tawag Ng Tanghalan” season 3 runner-up John Mark Saga. As of this writing, the video he and Jed filmed together has been viewed over two million times on Facebook.
“Two million views on Facebook and a couple thousand sa YouTube channel ko. It feels great that people were touched by our version of the song. It’s overwhelming and at the same time there’s pressure on my part, kasi mag-iisip na naman ako kung sino ang susunod kong iimbitahan sa YouTube channel ko,” Jed said.
The prized singer enjoyed working with John Mark because he sees himself in the newbie.
“Tahimik lang kami pero when it’s time to do the job, we sing with heart and passion,” Jed said.
He looks forward to devoting more time to his YouTube channel as it allows him to reach out to their fans in a different way.
“It’s a great experience. What John Mark did sa collaboration namin was amazing and beautiful. Knowing people love it, which is why it reached a million views already, I’m inspired to do more collaborations and YouTube videos in the future.”