HINDI NAGING MADALI para kay MJ (Manuel Jun) Ringor na abutin ang kanyang pangarap na maging isang sikat na mang-aawit. Nagtapos sa University of Santo Tomas sa kursong Industrial Design. He discovered his innate talent in arts and design by nature, MJ is a serious achiever. May family business sa SM Baguio na Kid Around, and he was the General Manager for six months.
“Nang dahil sa performance ko sa trabaho, I was rewarded with a trip to New York that gave me a chance to visit some relatives and old friends. While having a grand time, I thought of maximizing my stay and did what I knew would be beneficial. I accepted a hard labor job in Connecticut without hesitation (an under-the-table-job in a Laundromat servicing hotels and hospitals). I felt I was robbed of my rights as a hard-working employee.
“After another couple of months, I decided to quit when things became unbearable. Then I was hired as tile-packer/ shipper, which was another manual labor job. I come to the point where it is not enjoyable anymore, not even rewarding. So, I resigned to sort things out. I realize to make use of my designing ability. That gave me a renewed outlook in life when I redesigned my friend’s house in California and the result was disseminated through words of mouth. From there I successfully took off and more projects started coming.”
Nagbalik-‘Pinas si MJ and put up a restaurant-bar business which, another hard blow of fate, did not fare well and lost all that have worked hard for and saved. “There was no other recourse left for me but to fly back to the US and try my luck for the second time. I though that once I have saved enough, I’ll venture into another business that will eventually be a sustainable goal for me.”
MJ is gifted with a strong determination that can powerfully thwart what’s already set for him to his own liking and preference. He’s now busy managing his business in the field of Interior Design and Construction. His company, M2Builders Design Concepts, continues to flourish and produce projects that are noteworthy, having been featured in some shows and a number of magazines.
Music runs in MJ family’s blood, he was brought along by his parents to their regular weekend ballroom sessions. The constant familiarization to the music and sounds of Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano. His inclination to music incredibly develops as he grows up and matures.
MJ joined Star in a Million, an ABS-CBN reality singing contest. He made it to the monthly finals, until he reached the penultimate phase of the show, showcased his singing prowess all the more when MJ battled with the contest’s ultimate champion, Erik Santos.
“Actually, Star in a Million etched an unforgettable moment in my life, and that makes the contest even more meaningful to me. In our weekly finals sa ASAP, I was doing my own rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Overjoyed” nang malimutan ko ‘yung lyrics in the middle of the song. Ang ginawa ko, I just did an adlib (dance) and smile para mawala ‘yung kaba sa dibdib ko. Thank God, I still made it to the finals.”
Buong akala ni MJ doon na natapos ang pangarap niyang makilala as a singer. Sa hindi inaaasahang pagkakataon, nagtagpo ang landas nila ni Fanny Serrano sa isang videoke bar. Nang marinig ni TF na umaawit ang binata, nabighani agad ang beauty icon sa ganda at timbre ng boses nito.
“Kinausap ako ni Fanny kung puwede ko raw kantahin ‘yung movie theme song niya para sa Tarima. Sabi ko, ‘opo’, baka ito na ang break na hinihintay ko. I love the lyrics and the melody of the song “Napapagod Din Ang Puso” (composed by Sherwin Castillo), very meaningful! Nakaka-inspire kantahin kahit paulit-ulit, may meaning kasi ‘yung song makaka-relate ka. This time kailangang gumawa ako ng isang bagay na magpapaligaya sa akin at ‘yung fullfilment ko as a singer.”
Pinag-usapan ang madamdaming awitin ni MJ sa premiere night ng Tarima sa CCP. Maging sa mga radio station, patuloy itong nire-request. Today, may contract signing ang singer-businessman with Vehnee Saturno and announcement of MJ’s Valentine Concert on February 14 –15, 2011 at Teatrino, Greenhills.
AYAW Paawat!
by Eddie Littlefield
