Jay R Sillona

Jay R was born on February 1, 1981, in Glendale, California, and raised in Barangay U.P. Campus and Daan Tubo in Quezon City. His father, Gaudencio Sillona Jr., is a pianist, and his mother, Amparo Aquino-Sillona, is a singer. He is the grandson of the late Gaudencio Sillona Sr. He is the youngest of four siblings. On his father's side, he has five brothers, saying "Before my parents got together, my father was married to somebody else." As of 2004, he was managed by his aunt, choreographer Geleen Eugenio.[1] He speaks fluent Tagalog. Among his musical influences as a young man were Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, and Gary Valenciano. In 2004, Sillona appeared in a recurring role on GMA-7's drama series Narito Ang Puso Ko. It was immediately followed by a main role on an episode of Love to Love entitled "Duet for Love", where he was teamed up with Toni Gonzaga. He played the role of Marvin, an Amboy who went on vacation to a beach resort and met a girl named Tammy, with which he shares the same things in common like singing.[1] In December 2004, he made his film debut on Regal Films' entry for the year's Metro Manila Film Festival, So Happy Together.[2] He portrayed the minor role of Brent, a young man who later became Kris Aquino's love interest in the movie.[3] In the summer of 2005, he was cast on another episode of Love to Love, entitled "Haunted Lovehouse". He played Bogart, a guy who inherited his grandfather's land. Unfortunately, Nadia (Chynna Ortaleza) built a house on his land, forcing them to share the house.[4] He later starred in a feature film, Hari ng Sablay, which was released on November 30, 2005.[5] Before the year ended, he played the antagonist role of Haring Bagulbol on Exodus: Tales from the Enchanted Kingdom. The film was Regal's entry for the 2005 Metro Manila Film Festival.[6] It was critically acclaimed, earning ten awards and numerous nominations.[7] In addition, the film was praised due to its impressive use of visual effects.

In 2006, Sillona played a recurring role on Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas. He portrayed Azulan, a strong and gorgeous leader of the Bahaghari, who fancies Sangg're Amihan (Iza Calzado). On January 1, 2008, he starred in another Metro Manila Film Festival entry entitled Desperados. He played the sexy role of Vito, an underwear model who works for Courtney (Marian Rivera), and likes Isabella (Ruffa Gutierrez), but cannot get her to commit.[8] In October of the same year, he portrayed Pato, a recurring role in the Filipino adaptation of LaLola. Before 2008 ended, Desperados was immediately followed by its sequel, rushed as Regal's entry at the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival. Sillona reprised his role, Vito, for the film, where it was reported that Gutierrez did not approve of having a kissing scene with him.[9] In 2009, he played Vince, a lead role on Dear Friend's episode, "The Three Bachelors", which featured his opposite longtime music partner Kyla.