Singer Jeri Violago, who is a dead ringer for actor Matteo Guidicelli, is taking his career to the next level after he signed up with Star Music recently.
Jeri made the announcement during dinner with the entertainment press following an event entitled "My Fair Lady" at the Holy Family Parish in Kamias, Quezon City, where he serenaded the ladies.
"Star Music has chosen seven songs for my debut album. And then they will listen again to decide which song should be the lead single," Jeri said.
Asked about the type of songs for his future album, Jeri answered: "My upcoming album will contain songs na parang pop and R&B ang peg. So 'yung mga song babagay sa age ko and image."
Two of the songs were written by award-winning composer Vehnee Saturno entitled "Gusto Kita" and "Di Ka Mag-Iisa" which could be part of his album.
"He wrote the songs and then we gave it a listen. Pina-ayos ko lang ng konti yung melody at arrangement para maging pop-ish and modern para sa mga ka-age ko," Jeri said. "But I'm also working on my own compositions."
Jeri said that it would be exciting to try show business where he said he could play the younger brother of Matteo.
Asked about the celebrities he idolizes, Jeri said he watches Liza Soberano, James Reid, Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla.
Jeri graduated cum laude with the degree of BS Business Management from the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City in 2022.
The 22-year-old singer surprised his parents with his plan of action when he decided to give singing a try.
Jeri turned down his family's offer to take on a key position at the family-owned rice mill business in San Jose, Nueva Ecija. Still he asked permission from his supportive parents to allow him to finally pursue a career in show business.
“I was eight years old when I found out I could sing. Then my mom enrolled me for music lessons. Medyo naging classical muna yung background ko as a kid. Ang mga kinakanta ko noon Amapola, Granada, etc. I also auditioned for the King and I as one of the kids. The director approached my mom and told her that I should be enrolled in the music school of Ryan Cayabyab. I was 12 or 13 at that time. When I enrolled in Ryan’s school, mas naging Broadway naman yung mga kanta ko. Mas naging focus on theater-type yung boses ko. High school ako noon so I also joined an a capella group where we would compete with other schools. Naging pop-ish naman ang orientation ko. I also joined the Ateneo church choir. When I went to college that’s the time I told my mom na I wanted to be a soloist. So may naging pop and R&B na ako. Yun na ang mga kinakanta sa mga events,” he recalled.
Jeri added: "Then I told my parents this is the career I wanted to pursue since alam ko naman na I always wanted to do singing." And the rest is history.