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Jed Madela wants to be known as ‘Global Pinoy’

Jed Madela is honored to sing the theme song of The Filipino Channel's new station ID, launched on Sunday, April 3 on "ASAP Rocks." Before Jed, Lea Salonga and Charice Pempengco sang in the previous station IDs of the international television network owned by ABS-CBN.

"I'm very, very honored. Isa akong hamak na fan lang nila. And to be in their level singing and representing TFC is something to be proud of, something that I will really, really treasure and consider as an additional achievement for myself," Jed told members of the press last Friday, April 1.

"When I got the material, nabasa ko yung lyrics. Sabi ko, 'Nakakaantig naman ng puso ito. Kasi siyempre, halos lahat tayo may mga pamilya abroad. We know exactly how it feels to be separated with them, malalaman mo na talagang nagtratrabaho sila para sa pamilya. Yun nga, to have this connection here back in the Philippines through TFC is iba talaga ang feeling. Siguro lahat ng mga kakilala ko may TFC talaga kasi dun sila nakaka-connect, dun sila nakaka-reach out sa pamilya nila, kung ano yung nangyayari dito sa Pilipinas," he said.

For Jed, the "Tayo Ang TFC" theme song got the essence of the international network because, instead of showcasing stars and celebrities, it tells the stories of Overseas Filipino Workers around the world.

"(The OFWs) talaga ang reason why (TFC) exists," he said.

Global Pinoy

Jed is honored to be considered in the level of Lea and Charice—Filipinos who brought honor to the country through their singing. Jed bagged the title Senior Grand Champion Performer of the World in the 2005 World Championship of the Performing Arts. He's was so proud to be a Filipino, he said, that he gave up opportunities to have a singing career in abroad.

"Nung nanalo ako nung 2005, there were like opportunities na inooffer sa akin to start a career there. But I chose to come back to share the victory with the Filipinos," he said.

Jed explained, "I tried it out. I performed to the foreign audience. Okay sila, they appreciate the Filipino talent, but iba talaga ang pagtanggap ng Pinoy. Mas may connection, because when I sing, I don't sing just for the heck of singing. I sing to connect, I sing to touch the hearts of the audience. And when kumakanta ako sa Pinoy, nakukuha ko yun, naaachieve ko yun."

"Honestly, it's not all about the money; it's not all about the prestige of being a Hollywood star. It's more of, gusto ko, makilala bilang isang Pinoy, global Filipino at international Pinoy. And I want to use this status of mine to showcase na magagaling ang Pinoy," he said.

Does he regret the decision now, considering how a number of Filipinos are making a name for themselves in the international entertainment arena?

"I never regretted anything. Until now may mga offers pa rin. But if ever I get to accept these offers, it will be per work basis. Gusto ko dito pa rin ako based sa Pilipinas. Iba, iba talaga. Ika nga nila, there's no place like home," Jed said.