Jojo Mendrez, whose humble beginnings is rooted in Lucena City, has become one of the most talked-about personalities in music and business. industry.
The acknowledged Revival King discovered his passion for singing started at the young age of 10, when he helped his mother weave and count buri leaves for a living while joining singing contests in their hometown in Pitogo, Quezon.
At 20, he took a significant step in honing his talent by enrolling at the Ryan Cayabyab School of Music, where he shared classrooms with future OPM stars such as Roselle Nava, Jolina Magdangal, Lindsay Custodio, Jan Marini, and Angelika dela Cruz.
Breaking Into the Music Scene
Though he initially found success in real estate, Jojo never let go of his love for music. In fact, his success as a businessman allowed him to produce a concert for his idol, Sharon Cuneta, in their province. Inspired by OPM legends like Sharon Cuneta and Pops Fernandez, Jojo ventured into music, quickly gaining recognition for his revival of classic Filipino hits.
His notable revivals include “Tuyo Nang Damdamin” (APO Hiking Society), “Magkabilang Mundo” (Jireh Lim), and “Sana” and “Handog” (Florante).
His version of “Handog” earned him the 2018 Star Awards for Music Revival Song of the Year, further solidifying his place in the industry. The same year, he held his first-ever sold-out solo concert at Newport Performing Arts Theater.
His debut album’s carrier single, “Magkaibang Mundo”, became a massive hit, amassing over 1.5 million views on YouTube and Facebook just two weeks after release.
The Intrigue Surrounding Jojo and Mark Herras
Recently, Jojo found himself at the center of controversy after being spotted at a casino with Mark Herras, the Bad Boy of the Dance Floor. Rumors quickly spread about their connection, with netizens speculating about a relationship between them.
Jojo broke his silence in a media conference,
“No matter what I say, people will believe what they want to believe. So, saan ko ilulugar ang sarili ko? On social media, people judge quickly based on what they see. I can’t explain myself to everyone, so I chose not to comment anymore. Basta kami ni Mark, wala kaming any relationship. Hindi ko kayang basahin ang mga negative na nasusulat about kay Mark. Mabuti siyang tao.”
Mark replied, “Bahala kayo sa kung ano ang gusto n’yong isipin. ‘Di kasi nila alam na lumaki ako sa mga gay. Kaya sanay ako at malapit sa kanila.”
The speculation escalated when Mark made a surprise appearance at Jojo’s mediacon, handing him a bouquet of flowers while he performed his original song “Nandito Lang Ako”, composed by Jonathan Manalo under Star Music.
Rainier Castillo Gets Dragged Into the Buzz
As if the controversy wasn’t enough, Jojo is now being linked to Rainier Castillo, Mark Herras’ fellow StarStruck Batch 1 finalist. Rainier’s TikTok reaction to Jojo’s new song further fueled speculation. However, Rainier clarified that he simply enjoyed the track and recommended it to his followers.
Asked about the rumors, Jojo laughed.
“Nasanay na akong may isyung ikinakabit sa pangalan ko. Ang mahalaga, totoo ako sa sarili ko at sa mga taong mahalaga sa akin.”
Upcoming Music Releases
Despite the intrigue, Jojo remains focused on his music. The forthcoming release of the following songs prove that Jojo is here to stay in the OPM scene:
“Somewhere in My Past” (Julie Vega)
“Nandito Lang Ako” (Original song)
“Tamis ng Unang Halik” (Tina Paner)
“I Love You Boy” (Timmy Cruz)
“Pare Mahal Mo Raw Ako” (Michael Pangilinan)
Jojo is now as busy as a bee, kicking off his radio tour today, March 12, to promote his songs Somewhere in My Past and Nandito Lang Ako. Catch him live at Win Radio 91.5 at 3:20 PM and FM Radio 92.3 at 4:20 PM!
The Revival King’s Return
Jojo Mendrez is back, and he’s bringing not just music, but excitement, nostalgia, and a little controversy with him. Whether it’s his powerful revivals, original songs, or headline-making personal life, one thing is certain—OPM is alive and well, and Jojo Mendrez is at the center of it all.
