Why actor Jrey Rivas is focusing on music this time around

Stage and screen actor Johnrey “JRey” Rivas is focusing on music this year.

It’s what he shared in a recent presscon minutes before his birthday concert, attended by family and friends, fellow artists and followers.

He turned a year wiser last March 30, but the celebration took place the day after.

JRey, the Philstagers Theater actor, won the 2022 FAMAS Best Supporting Actor award and received the 2026 Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival Best Supporting Actor nomination for his performances in “Katips” and “Ang Bangkay,” respectively.

His latest songs, Ang Awiting Ito, Sabi Mo Sakin and Umalis Ka Na Sa Puso’t Isip Ko, make up the EP titled “Paulit-ulit.” They are welcome additions to his previous singles, Hiling sa Bituin, Twinkle Star and Pambawi ay Ikaw, used as original sound tracks for the series and movie ventures of PhilStagers.

“Nung bata po ako, lagi po kasi akong nagsusulat sa notebook ng mga tula (when I was young, I always wrote poems on my notebook),” said he when the artist was asked by The STAR about the nitty-gritty behind the musical release during a media call.

“Tapos lalagyan ko ng mga saliw ng musika at tono (Then I would add musical accompaniment and melodies to them)… Tin-ry ko lang buklatin ulit yun (I just tried to go through them again).”

And the works he found were about the universal theme love and the different experiences related to it, such as falling in love, getting hurt and moving forward. After the latter, one finds the right time to love again.

Thus, JRey named the EP “Paulit-ulit.”

“It’s a love cycle by JRey Rivas,” said he, “because I believe na parang ganun lang naman (these seemed to be the phases one goes through in love). Nagmamahal, nasasaktan and then nag-mo-move on, and then babalik ulit (You fall in love, get hurt and move on, and you’re back to loving again). Magmamahal ulit, masasaktan and mag-mo-move on. It’s paulit-ulit (happens again and again).”

Following his train of thought, one could say that the songs speak about those aspects and facets of love: Ang Awiting Ito is about that brewing and flourishing romantic feeling. Sabi Mo Sakin is when things become rough in a relationship. Umalis Ka Na Sa Puso’t Isip Ko is about being ready to start again.

The artists shared that the songs represent “eras.” The first song is set in 1986 and described as a bit of harana (a courtship or serenade). Reflecting 2006, the second is a “telenovela-type and ballad” ditty, and the third single is the contemporary time, 2026, and has the “very Gen Z” vibe.

“I’m more into ballads since I’m a musical theater actor,” shared he. “So, I tried to change my sound this year. I’m testing the waters, so to speak.”

He also wanted to know the marketability of these songs, available on his YouTube channel and Facebook pages. The public will soon access them on digital platforms like Spotify.

Looking at the works and hats he has done and is wearing, JRey is multitalented. Away from the limelight or klieg lights, the registered librarian takes on the role of president and marketing head of Philstagers Theater Foundation, Inc.

He said, “For now, I’m focusing on singing (and with my) acting career, I’ve been a theater actor for 13 years… pero ngayon po, susubukan ko naman yung industriya ng musika (but for now, I want to give the music industry a try).”

During the presscon, he also shared that his birthday wish is for more people to listen to his songs, and get to know him as JRey Rivas as the singer, lyricist and composer beyond the actor persona, as one may put it.

Visit the artist’s social media pages for more updates on his musical career.