Award-winning Filipino composer Vehnee Saturno commended rising singer Jeri Violago, who launched two new songs under Star Music.

"There's a lot of artists na napapanood natin sa Channel 5, Channel 2, and Channel 7. I want to hear something different. And he's Jericho," said Vehnee when asked about Jeri during the launch of the young talent's songs in Quezon City recently.

Vehnee composed two songs for Jeri. He describes "Gusto Kita" as a straightforward love song. The second song, "Ipapangako Ko," continues the love story in "Gusto Kita" by offering assurance to the loved one.

With the release of the twin songs, Jeri is slowly but surely getting close to his dream of becoming a versatile entertainer. The 22–year old Ateneo de Manila Business Management cum laude graduate signed a three-tier contract with Star Music.

"I am very touched and very honored. I am very humbled to be able to work with Mr. Vehnee Saturno. It's truly a blessing that I am entering showbiz with your support," the young singer said.

Vehnee said: "Bagong tunog ito and even the rendition. Nagulat din ako sa musicality ng batang ito kasi the first time I heard him. Meron itong batang ito. It's just a matter of finding the right theme. Kailangan makapagset tayo ng brand. Nakita ko sa kanya yung mga elemento na puwede. Magaling siyang magsalita, he speaks fluently. Magaling siyang mag-Tagalog. Pogi. Sa industry natin hindi lang naman talaga singing but hopefully in the future malay natin maging endorser, maging artista, maging host. So we should be rounded. Sa artists hindi lang singing ang tinitignan ko. 360 ba ito? Ano ang pwede niyang gawin at ano yung pwede niyang gawin sa market? Ganun ako magdiscover ng artists."

(It's a new sound and even the rendition. I was also surprised by the musicality of this boy because it was the first time I heard him. There is something about him. It's just a matter of finding the right time. We need to set up a brand. I saw some excellent elements. He speaks well. He speaks fluently. He speaks Tagalog very well. Pogi. In our industry, it's not just about singing; hopefully, they can become endorsers, actors, and hosts in the future. So we should be rounded. I don't just look at singing. Is it 360? What can he do, and what can he do in the market? That's how I discover artists.)

Vehnee, who has been writing songs for 43 years, reminded Jeri: "There's no shortcut (to success). I suggest hard work and dedication to all the artists."

Some of Vehnee's OPM hits include "Be My Lady," "Sana Kahit Minsan," "Mula Sa Puso," "Till My Heartaches End," "Bakit Pa?" "Wala Na Bang Pag-Ibig," "Isang Dakot," and "Forever's Not Enough."

Vehnee, 69, explained his songwriting process.

"I need to listen to the current hits. Maraming songwriters na kung ano ang ginagawa nila noong 1980s ganun pa rin ang ginagawa nila ngayon. Ako hindi ganun. I continue to research what's happening here in the Philippines. Not only do I listen to the local market, but I need to listen to the international market so that I can produce something different from the present.

(I need to listen to the current hits. There are many songwriters that what they were doing in the 1980s are still doing the same thing today. I am not like that. I continue to research what's happening here in the Philippines. Not only do I listen to the local market, but I need to listen to the international market so that I can produce something different from the present.)

"Gaya nung time nila Ariel Rivera. I came up with the song 'Sana Kahit Minsan' which is completely different from other songwriters. So hindi ako naka-kahon. Lagi akong lumalabas sa kahon," he said.

(During the time of Ariel Rivera, I created the song "Sana Kahit Minsan," which differs entirely from other songwriters. So I'm not in a box. I always come out of the box.)

Jeri loves OPM and hopes to collaborate with today's hitmakers: "In the future, I hope to collaborate with Zack Tabudlo or Ben&Ben kasi napaka-unique ng sound nila. Pwede rin siguro Arthur Nery or bands like Lola Amour."

In 2022, Jeri signed separate contracts with Star Music in various capacities: as an artist, a composer, and a record producer.

Upon graduation last year, Jeri asked permission from his dad and mom, Joselito and Chiqui Violago, to allow him to pursue a career in music. He turned down dad’s offer to take on a key position at the family-owned rice mill business in San Jose, Nueva Ecija.

Star Music’s Jonathan Manalo believes that Jeri’s singing-performing career is anchored on his solid vocals and wide range of talent. His versatility as a singer is backed by a string of awards earned during his years at the Ateneo, where his high school group emerged as champion at Musikapella competition in 2014. 

Jericho was also named champion at the Ateneo Grade School Singing Competition in 2011. He was also vice president of the Ateneo Senior High School Glee Club.

During live performances, Jeri could quickly shift from pop, jazz, and swing to R&B and soul. His entertainment credits include performances at the Music Museum and GSIS Museum. In these outings, he would perform songs from King and I, Annie, South Pacific, OPM hits, and jazzy standards, think Michael Buble. As a teen, Jericho trained at The Music School of Ryan Cayabyab.

At the same media conference, Chiqui congratulated her son for another milestone as she gave an inspiring message.

"When my children were still young, we supported whatever they wanted. Hiram lang sila sa Diyos eh. Ang sabi sa atin kailangan mag-bear sila ng fruits. Kung ano yung talent na meron sila, dapat makita namin at madevelop namin. But that comes with the discipline. 

"Kaya noong maliliit lang po yan, pinag try po namin sila ng kung anu-ano. Pero si Jericho lahat ng musical instruments when he was in Philippine Montessori, hinawakan niya. Nagsolo siya sa mga instruments. So we noticed may ears talaga siya for music. Yun ang isa sa alam namin. 

"But we've always told him it will not come to you on a silver platter. You will have to hone your talent, you will have to be patient, sacrifice time, effort, and some things to achieve what you want in the future. Singer ka, pangalagaan mo yung boses mo. This is always my quote to my son: with the freedom we give you comes responsibility. 

"And remember that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. And what should come out is always the best. Not mediocrity, not pwede na 'yan. It should always be the best. Next na yung pagsikat. Pero, you owe yourself the best. At the end of the day, when things are finished already, you cannot go back and say why you didn't do it that way. 

"Kagaya noong sumali siya sa Asia's Got Talent, later on you will say, 'why didn't I try that?' So parang wala kang masabi, ganun, ginawa mo. Manalo ka or hindi ka matalo sinubukan mo. And it is when you fail that you find out sometimes how things should be done. And when a door closes, a lot of windows open. 

"There were times he would cry in frustration because he's passionate. And one step further, and you will get it. It comes also with his studies kasi hindi puwedeng magaling ka nga as an artist pero mapurol ka naman. 

"Remember, when you deal with people, you are not above them: respect, understanding, and genuine concern for others because that is how you will earn your respect. Good luck, Jeri, I hope this will be the start of a fruitful career. We, your family, will always be there for you."