Artists would say that heartbreak can lead to amazing art. This is also true for JRey Rivas who has been creating beautiful songs from his personal sob stories. His song ‘Umalis Ka Na Sa Puso’t Isip Ko” is an example.
During his birthday press conference, JRey could not emphasize enough the importance of personal experience as inspirations to writing songs. This is why the title of his EP is ‘Paulit ulit’, an ode to the cycle of romance. In his words: “Nagmamahal, nasasaktan, nagmo-move on and then bumabalik ulit.”
JRey is also big in acceptance. For him, you can only process the feelings if you are ready to accept it for how it is. He was so detailed in doing so while sharing one incident with an ex-lover. “Nakita ko sila, nasa likod nila ako while holding hands. ‘Yun ‘yung day na in-invite ko siya para pag simba.” From these no-so-beautiful memories stems beautiful sings.
For his birthday concert, JRey said that is a celebration of the wins as an actor, songwriter and singer. JRey started as a theater actor for PhilStagers which allowed him to crossover to film and digital series. He won Best Supporting Actor in FAMAS 2022 for ‘Katips’ and nominated in the Sinag Manila Independent Film Festival for Best Supporting Actor for the movie “Ang Bangkay.”
As a recording artist, he released the single “Twinkle Star” in 2022, “Pambawi Ay Ikaw” in 2023, “Hiling Sa Bituin” in 2024, and “Paulit ulit” this year.
To celebrate what he his young career has achieved in the industry so far, he arranged a thanksgiving concert complete with top performers like Dulce, This Band, Fitterkarma, Tala Gatchalian and drag queens Maxie, Angel Galang among others. No less than Donita Nose and Tekla hosted the event with the trending Joy Barcoma.