Allyzza Kay Trinidad

The winning performances of Jay R and the impressive impersonations of him on “Your Face Sounds Familiar”

Article (news)

Mary Ann Bardinas

<p>Over the past decade, we’ve witnessed various incredible celebrity performers grace the stage of “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/your-face-sounds-familiar" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Your Face Sounds Familiar</em></u></strong></a>.” One of them is the Philippines’ King of RnB Jay R, who was among the frontrunners during the inaugural season of the singing and impersonation competition.</p><p>And 10 years after Season 1 was aired, Jay R made a surprising special appearance in the October 19 episode, as he delivered a heartwarming message for Season 4 contender Jarlo Base, who impersonated him in the second week of “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/your-face-sounds-familiar" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Your Face Sounds Familiar</em></u></strong></a>.”</p><div><iframe width="914" height="514" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/34Fn8y5MrUo" title="Jay R gives a heartwarming surprise as he shows support for Jarlo Base | Week 3 | YFSF" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>During Jarlo’s interview with hosts Jhong Hilario and Vhong Navarro after swooning everyone with his smooth and soulful rendition of the popular love song “sining,” they had a live video call with the R&amp;B singer, who’s currently in the United States. </p><div><iframe width="914" height="514" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h9gtAWaZBaM" title="Jarlo Base stuns with his smooth and soulful Jay R performance | Week 3 | YFSF" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>He expressed his approval of Jarlo’s take on him—from his physical transformation and performance to his nuances and Tagalog-speaking skills. Besides, he also had the chance to speak with the jury, comprised of Sharon Cuneta, Ogie Alcasid, Klarisse de Guzman, and Nyoy Volante. </p><p>Jay R told Jarlo, “Keep up the good work. Thank you for studying me. It was nice watching you. Na-entertain talaga ako.”</p><p>However, it wasn’t the first time that the King of RnB was portrayed on “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/your-face-sounds-familiar" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u><strong><em>Your Face Sounds Familiar</em></strong></u></a>” following his remarkable participation in its first season. It can be recalled that in the second season, which aired in the last four months of 2015, he was impersonated during the sixth week by Michael Pangilinan, who swooned us with his rendition of “Bakit Pa Ba?” The latter’s impressive act garnered 12 points from both the jury and his fellow celebrity performers, which brought him to rank 5 that week. </p><div><iframe width="914" height="514" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D54zo1isy5Q" title="Your Face Sounds Familiar: Michael Pangilinan as Jay R - &quot;Bakit Pa Ba&quot;" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Jay R, whose real name is Gaudencio Sillona III, started his music career in 2003 with “Bakit Pa Ba?” as one of his debut songs and his greatest hits. He went on to become one of the finest and most popular singers in the country, who never fails to win our hearts with his performances. Aside from his vocal prowess, he was also able to showcase his acting skills through his movie and teleserye appearances. </p><p>And being able to develop and hone his skills in singing, dancing, and acting through the years indeed helped him during his stint in “Your Face Sounds Familiar Season 1,” in which he was among the celebrity performers along with Karla Estrada, Nyoy Volante, Tutti Caringal, Maxene Magalona, Jolina Magdangal, Edgar Allan Guzman, and Melai Cantiveros. </p><p>Throughout his foray in the show, he was among the contestants who consistently delivered excellent performances every week. In fact, he was able to dominate two out of the 13 weeks of the singing and impersonating competition.  </p><p>Just on the pilot week, he immediately astounded everyone with his transformation to Pinoy rock icon Pepe Smith of the legendary Juan Dela Cruz Band, as he performed “Beep Beep.” He was able to earn the highest score of 36 points and the standing ovation from the jury for that performance, making him the Week 1 champion.</p><div><iframe width="914" height="514" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H9X1hkDJfz4" title="Your Face Sounds Familiar: Jay R as Pepe Smith - &quot;Beep Beep&quot;" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>He also landed on rank 1 during Week 4, in which he was paired with fellow contender Karla Estrada for the special episode that featured duets of individual performances. They transformed into music legends Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton as they sang “Islands in the Stream”. Despite being a duo, they were graded individually by the jury and their fellow celebrity performers, with Jay R raking in the highest score of 33 points, making him the weekly winner.</p><div><iframe width="914" height="514" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_j9mbeE4ohY" title="YFSF Duet: Jay R &amp; Karla Estrada as Kenny Rogers &amp; Dolly Parton - &quot;Islands In The Stream&quot;" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Being one of the lead scorers in the competition, Jay R was among the four artists who made it to the finale of “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/your-face-sounds-familiar" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Your Face Sounds Familiar</em></u></strong></a>” alongside Melai, Edgar Allan, and Nyoy. His transformation into Frank Sinatra performing the classic hit “New York, New York” garnered a total score of 16.10%, which put him in 3rd place. The season, as avid viewers know, was won by Melai. </p><div><iframe width="914" height="514" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IDRNHqvfBSs" title="Your Face Sounds Familiar Final Performance: Jay R As Frank Sinatra – “New York, New York”" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Were you able to follow the journey of Jay R from a celebrity performer in Season 1 to one of the icons being impersonated by the artists in the succeeding editions of “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/your-face-sounds-familiar" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Your Face Sounds Familiar</em></u></strong></a>”</p><p>Get your weekly dose of good vibes and unbelievable musical performances by not missing an episode of “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/your-face-sounds-familiar" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Your Face Sounds Familiar</em></u></strong></a>”, Saturday and Sunday evenings on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), A2Z, TV5 and <a href="https://app.iwanttfc.com/dFR6MWHAcVb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>iWant</u></strong></a>!</p>

<p>Let’s revisit the remarkable appearances of Jay R on “Your Face Sounds Familiar”<br>
— from a celebrity performer to a beloved icon.</p>

Let’s revisit the remarkable appearances of Jay R on “Your Face Sounds Familiar” — from a celebrity performer to a beloved icon.