Fil-Am group JAGMAC honors Cebuano roots

CEBU, Philippines – Cebuanos and visitors alike were in for a treat as JAGMAC, a Filipino-American singing group, performed their original songs, including their debut single “Existence” at several Sinulog events.

JAGMAC, composed of Patalinghug siblings Jared (14), Angelique (16), Gabriel (17), Manjo (19), Alyssa (22), and CJ (23), are not just like any other singing group for several reasons.

First, they are siblings who share the same interests, including their love for music. Aside from singing, the Patalinghugs also have talents in dancing, choreography, song writing, rapping, sign language and playing piano, guitar and drums. Second, they excel in martial arts and all six hold a Black Belt in Taekwondo and are also world champions in the Philippine martial art of Eskrima (stick fighting). Third, the siblings’ martial arts background has influenced their dance moves.

Alyssa and CJ were first runner-up and first place winners, respectively in the Baltimore Pop Star contest. Two-time world champion stick fighter Alyssa also sang the Star Spangled Banner for the Senatorial Banquet in Washington D.C. at the age of five.

The siblings’ love for martial arts came from their father, Carlos E. Patalinghug Jr. Carlos, a martial arts master who owns Kick Connection, a martial arts school in Baltimore. CJ is an instructor at the family-owned martial arts school.

However, the siblings’ singing talent comes from their mother Alicia, an American who has a beautiful singing voice, and from their paternal grandmother, Fe Esplana Patalinghug who is a native of Cataingan, Masbate. An accomplished singer, Fe has performed at the Warner Theater in Washington D.C., the Lincoln Center in New York, and the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore.

In 2013, the group co-wrote with various song writers in Baltimore.  Three of the songs they wrote, including “Existence” and “Fly,” were produced by multi-platinum writer and producer Bryan Todd. The recordings were made during their trip to Los Angeles, where they have also been writing with Bryan. Bryan, who began his career as a recording artist, has written and produced for numerous artists such as Jordin Sparks, Miley Cyrus, Ruben Studdard, Ashley Tisdale, Josh Kelley, Berlin, Jordan Pruitt, Big Time Rush and Honor Society, to name a few.

Bryan is currently developing a TV show called “The Climb” with Howard Meltzer and Rita Wilson. Bryan decided to invite Manny Streetz from KISS FM to the studio to meet the group which resulted in Manny joining them in the writing session and a great song was born called “Feelin Alive!”

They did some  further writing with Lauren Christy (formerly “The Matrix”), a very talented award-winning songwriter whose credits include Avril Lavigne, Jason Mraz, Shakira, Liz Phair, Korn, Twisted Transition, David Bowie, Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin, Britney Spears, Hilary Duff, Ferra, Busted Three AM, Tokyo Hotel, Rihanna and Grayson Chance.

The siblings also have a strong sense of social responsibility. They have given their time to raise thousands of dollars for various humanitarian causes and particularly, to benefit victims of the earthquake in Haiti and typhoon Yolanda.

JAGMAC is on a tour of the Philippines this month, where they are scheduled to perform in concerts and national TV appearances. The group performed at the Cataingan Astrodome in Masbate in the evening of January 12 as part of a fund-raising activity for typhoon victims. Since their paternal grandfather, Carlos E. Patalinghug, hails from Lapu-Lapu City, the group also performed in Cebu.

The group performed at the grand finals of the Sinulog Idol singing competition; the Sinulog Festival Queen Coronation Night; the Sinulog Opening Program Best of Cebu; and the Sinulog awarding ceremony.

JAGMAC has also signed with De Angelis Entertainment, an international music company based in the United Kingdom. De Angelis Entertainment had managed Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia for her first eight years.

The group’s first single, “Existence,” will be released in the first quarter of 2015 in the UK. “Existence” is about young people who have everything they wanted but felt that something was missing. In the video, when they followed the golden light, they come together in peace and harmony as a family.

JAGMAC’s debut single “Existence” is now available on iTunes only in the Philippines as a form of tribute to their Filipino roots. The group will be launched in UK in April. (PR)