The heartwarming rendition of Jireh Lim’s “Magkabilang Mundo” by businessman-turned-singer Jojo Mendre, has been a most requested and heavily played on all major FM radio stations in the country. The song, arranged by Manuel Cruz, is the promotional track of Mendrez’s debut album.
The music video of “Magkabilang Mundo,” meanwhile, has enjoyed more than 1.5 million views on YouTube and Facebook combined, after only two weeks’ time. Everywhere you go, people are familiar with the song. Even the original singer, Jireh Lim, cannot be happier with the success that the song has enjoyed to date.
When Mendrez pursued his long-time passion, he undoubtedly found a different kind of fulfillment and great joy. Even when he’s neck-deep in business work, he manages to find time for his music.
He sings not for the money, but for the soul. Music is his first love, in which he discovered his inner self. He has given his heart into singing. So whenever an opportunity for his music comes his way, he never passes it up.
A talent of Star Power Entertainment, Jojo Mendrez started singing at the young age of eight. He joined a singing contest in Pitogo, Quezon, where his winning song was “Mr. DJ,” by Sharon Cuneta, one of his singing idols. His other favorites are Patti Austin, Robby Rosa of Menudo and singer-songwriter Jose Mari Chan.
He took up voice lessons at the Ryan Cayabyab Music Studio. Jolina Magdangal and Roselle Nava were his classmates. He recorded a remake of “Tuyo Na’ng Damdamin” of the Apo Hiking Society. Because of the success of the song, Eat Bulaga later produced a music video of the said song for him.
Mendrez is now wrapping up his first solo album which includes cuts like “Basta Ikaw” and the Christmas ditty, “Diwa ng Pasko,” a duet with Tawag ng Tanghalan Kids third placer, Mackie Empuerto, written by award-winning composer Andrei Dionisio.
He also displayed his songwriting skills in “Ayoko ng Magmahal,” a powerful ballad that will also highlight his debut album. Also in the album are “Points of View,” a revival of the Pops Fernandez and Joey Albert’s “Diwa ng Pasko” and “Ayoko ng Magmahal,” (arranged by Marvin Querido).
This early, two big producers have expressed their interest in mounting a major solo concert for Mendrez, possibly within the year, who keeps his faith that he could continue with his music and use the instrument God has blessed him with for a long time.