JayR's latest album, Holiday of Love, contains Christmas songs already deemed as Yuletide classics. The tracks were given fresh arrangements by Jay-R himself to fit his own style of music and even more.
"R&B pa rin pero may mix siya ng jazz, parang may infusion ng jazz yong R&B. I found a different style, e, nung ginagawa ko ‘to, iba talaga. So, parang nagtsi-change na din ‘yong music ko," explained Jay-R to the entertainment reporters at last night's press conference held at Red Box in Trinoma Mall, Quezon City.
Holiday of Love, according to Jay-R, is more than just a new project. Found in the album is an original song penned by Jay-R titled "Tito Remy"—the same person cited by the singer as the main inspiration for the album.
"He's a very close tito sa akin po, uncle ko po," revealed Jay-R. "He died before the holidays so I wrote him a Christmas song."
Jay-R wrote the song two years ago to combat grief following the death of his uncle because of cancer. But he quickly dismissed initial impression that the song lends the entire record a poignant undertone rather than convey joy for the season.
"Actually, it's a celebration of his life po, so it's very personal but it's all about my family. It's nothing sad naman po, parang sinasabi na we should be here together and we'll celebrate the life of Tito Remy, ‘yon ang parang meaning po ng song."
KARYLLE'S TRANSFER. The departure of good friend Karylle from the musical variety show SOP and from GMA-7 also saddened Jay-R.
"Medyo malungkot. Barkada kami dun sa SOP, e. Pero, you know, whatever makes her happy, dapat gawin niya talaga and nothing can stop her," he offered.
Karylle's decision to move to ABS-CBN caught everyone off-guard. And like most of her friends, Jay-R learned about it only after it was finalized and the news started coming out.
Jay-R only had the chance to talk to Karylle during a lunch-out, which served as a farewell gathering for the daughter of Zsa Zsa Padlla.
There's no need to offer Karylle advice, Jay-R said: "Si Karylle she makes good decisions, very smart and she knows what she's doing naman. ‘Yong sa akin lang po, support na lang po sa kanya kasi alam na niya po ‘yong advice na mabibigay ko sa kanya."
HAPPY FOR KRIS. On a more positive note, Jay-R expressed happiness for best friend and co-singer Kris Lawrence, who is currently in a relationship with young actress Katrina Halili.
"Basta happy si Kris happy din ako," he smiled. "Down to earth si Katrina talaga and that's the reason why [Kris fell in love]... Kasi siyempre, si Katrina medyo mataas na artista ‘yan, e. And even na ganun siya, still, down to earth, mabait pa rin [and] hindi maere."
Today, November 20, is Jay-R's last shooting day for Regal Entertainment's Metro Manila Film Festival entry, Desperadas 2.
Talking about the movie, he said, "Ang kulit, ang kulit namin ni Ruffa Gutierrez. [I have] more singing parts this time, so ‘yong mga ilang kanta ko po nandun sa movie. Matatapos na kami bukas po... Hectic nga ng schedule ko ngayon."
He is set to leave tomorrow to join Pops Fernandez for an overseas concert, along with Kris Lawrence and Geneva Cruz. Jay-R will perform in Chicago and Atlantic City and will return to Manila on December 2.