This lady, with captivating beauty and charismatic appeal, is a natural born performer. “Performing always gives me that certain kind of unprecedented fulfillment coupled with ecstatic accomplishment,” she said. “It relieves me from all the burdensome tensions of my daily routine. Every well-applauded performance makes me stand tall and inspired and even challenged my capabilities to the limits,” she added.
Jellyn is currently a Business Administration student at Montclair State University who juggles school and work. She works part time as a Data Manager/ Sales Associate at Village Vogue and as a receptionist at Four Seasons to augment her school expenses. But she still manages to squeeze her passion for singing and acting into her already tight schedule.
Performing is innately in her system. Young Jellyn initially took the spotlight when she was barely two years old in one of her Mom’s regular gigs at the lounge of a five-star hotel in Singapore. She was called to perform with neither premeditation nor practice. Smart and alert, Jellyn, in such a very young age, was able to muster enough courage and built her self-confidence effortlessly to render “Big, Big World” with arresting presence. Having had experienced instant public adoration and tasted a thunderous response from an appreciative crowd, she has learned to love performing since.
A few years later when the family moved to the USA, Jellyn’s track serendipitously led her to where her talent would be properly honed and exposed. Her New York debut was in one of the Philippine’s Carmen Pateña’s concerts where she stole the show via her own vocal interpretation of “Dancing Queen” followed by another significant exposure in one of Miguel Braganza’s events.
As if her singing can’t suffice to contend and satisfy her passion, Jellyn, in her desire to broaden her horizon, enthusiastically embraced theater. She was about eight when she joined the cast of “The King & I” which toured 42 cities. Aside from the earning her first professional talent fee she was automatically enlisted as an Actors’ Equity member.
Her big breaks came when she tackled the lead roles of Gabriella in “HS Musical and as Mimi Marquez in “Rent.” In the latter, she felt like a polished artist-performer and almost accomplished.
If there’s one thing that could possibly warm the crackles of Jellyn’s heart, that would be singing and dancing before a huge crowd. “I guess I was really born to sing and perform. Thanks to the singing genes of my Mom.”
Aware of the predominant advent of new talents every day, Jellyn keeps herself abreast with the current trends in music and constantly beefs up and polishes her acts to perfection. Hardworking and focused, the pint-sized talent always sees positivity in every challenge that confronts her.
“I would say, I inherited being hardworking from my Dad, Joseph. He always keeps my head buried on what I do and my drive on the right track especially with regard to my studies. But everything else, I got them all from my Mom, Lyza. Her singing voice, her sense of fashion and style, and most of all, her being sociable,” Jellyn said.
“I was taught that there’s always a reason why things happen and a silver lining creeps in after every storm,” Jellyn shared, adding, “I’m but normal to sometimes feel daunted and almost at the verge of giving up but there’s that strange essence of insurmountable spirit within me that keeps me driven and focused. I’m one person who doesn’t easily get discouraged or feel jilted. I more challenged I am, my creative juices become even more activated.”
Even at a young age, Jellyn already knows her goals and dreams and will do whatever it takes to get there. She aims high and stretches her hands extremely far out to turn them into reality.
Jellyn is a Renaissance young lady and a quintessential exponent of the youth of her generation. A stunner (recently crowned Miss Philippine Fiesta 2013) with multi-faceted talents, she has already penned and composed a few original songs of which “More Than Friends” was recorded when she was 14.
With the already long roster of noteworthy appearances and performances she has accomplished, Jellyn is still hoping for more significant projects to land on her lap. “How I wish that someday I could play Kim in “Miss Saigon,” she confesses with a sigh.
“At this stage, I almost know every piece associated with the popular Broadway play that gave our very own Lea Salonga a grand slam victory from all award-giving bodies for her convincing depiction of the role. I hope I could duplicate her success when given the chance. I just need that elusive break,” Jellyn said.
Behind the petite persona is a strong-willed lady who stands tall and confident. As an old adage says that big surprises come from small packages, Jellyn may stand barely five-foot-flat but with such incredible talents that she was gifted with, she feels a lot taller than the rest of her peers. Jellyn isn’t only a star on stage but a wizard, too, in the kitchen.
She could whip and bake and prepare her favorite dish: Italian penne with vodka served with garlic bread and steak. Her cooking expertise also includes a variety of spam and noodle dishes.
Asked how she sees herself after her studies, she said straightforwardly, “My mind is set already that I will be working in New York City as an executive in a corporate office or in an established fashion company during daytime and as a Broadway performer at night.”
To completely size up this petite beauty, come and watch her perform as she unleashes the power of her talent with upcoming tenor Jared Martin at the Mon Premier Cabaret, Friday, December 13 at 7:00 PM at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center along 556 Fifth Avenue (between 45th and 46th Streets), New York, New York.
Mon Premier Cabaret, which also headlines magician Apollo Riego and features jazz vocalist, pianist, composer, and arranger Justin Binek as its Musical Director, is brought to stage by Marisse Panlilio of Marisse Panlilio Entertainment (MPE) and 1803 with proceeds to benefit ABS-CBN Bantay Bata 163 and Malate Catholic School.
Watch out for this small bundle of charm and gigantic surprises. With so much talent she was gifted with, she will surely dominate the entertainment arena and place the music world in the palm of her hand soon!
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