Kapamilya star CJ Navato wouldn’t be called “The Viral Crooner” for nothing. His transformations for Your Face Sounds Familiar are trending, making him a YouTube superstar once and again. In this edition of Kapamilya Chat, CJ talks about the experience in the ‘iconator’.
CJ was up for the dare of impersonating Jose Mari Chan and Frank Sinatra for the past two weeks of YFSF. He doesn’t belong in the icons’ generations but he managed to deliver with flying colors, thanks to his grandparents’ love for old music. CJ grew up listening to their oldie but goodie sound trip of mostly Sinatra songs. “Hinanda ako ng panahon para dito,” he said.
He also loved copying voices since he was a kid, thus joining YFSF has been an exciting experience thus far. Apart from the enjoyment, he also learns from the mentors Nyoy Volante and Jed Madela. The comments from Gary Valenciano, Sharon Cuneta, and Ogie Alcasid motivate him to do better. For CJ, the best preparation is listening. He would put the song on repeat until he adapts the icons’ vocal nuances.
From doing slow music, CJ wishes to try upbeat songs in the next episodes and maybe show off his dancing skills. He also wishes to impersonate Gary V in the upcoming days. He thinks he can sound like Mr. Pure Energy but it will be much fulfilling if the validation would come from Gary himself. Check out this video as CJ tickles our excitement with a quick sample of his Gary V. impersonation!
Asked to name the biggest threat in the batch, CJ said everyone has the chance to shine. But he thinks Jhong Hilario knows well the secret to a great performance, which is diligent practicing. Instead of caving in the fear, he looks at Jhong as an inspiration to also perform with passion. He also thinks Klarisse de Guzman’s edge is her vocal prowess.
CJ dropped his self-written single “Anumang Dulo.” He wrote the song based on personal experiences and calls it “a day of falling in love.” It’s about a love felt since day one. On the title, CJ explained the idea is based on love being a timeless force. It tells how looking at the person we love makes us see the present, past, and future – reminiscent of the old romantics’ saying that love may look new to the eyes but feel familiar to the heart. CJ believes in destiny but he also thinks it’s something we need to work on.
It was a challenge making music during the pandemic. On the bright side, quarantine songwriting helped him find his voice.
Catch Your Face Sounds Familiar every Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 7:30 PM on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, and A2Z.