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Juan Karlos Labajo
Born
Juan Karlos Labajo

(2001-02-05) 5 February 2001 (age 23)
Consolacion, Cebu, Philippines
Other namesJK
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
  • actor
Musical career
OriginManila, Philippines
Genres
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active2014–present
Labels
Member ofJuan Karlos

Juan Karlos Labajo (born February 5, 2001) is a Filipino singer-songwriter and actor, best known as the lead vocalist, primary lyricist, and founder of the rock band Juan Karlos. His musical style is noted for its emotional weight and poetic symbolism, while his songwriting has received praise for the rawness and intensity of its lyrical content which focus on themes of self-worth, unrequited love, and anguish. He has received many accolades, including a Star Award for Music, two Myx Music Awards, and five Awit Awards.

Born in Consolacion, Cebu, Labajo first achieved recognition as a finalist on the first season of the reality talent show The Voice Kids in 2014. After making his acting debut in the drama series Hawak Kamay (2014), Labajo starred in an episode of the drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya (2014), for which he received a Star Award for Best New Male TV Personality nomination. Under MCA Records, he began his singing career as a solo artist, releasing the the studio albums JK (2015) and JKL (2017). He continued to play supporting roles in the drama series Pangako sa 'Yo (2015), and A Love to Last (2017).

Labajo found greater success after forming the band Juan Karlos in 2018. The single "Buwan" was released to critical and commercial acclaim, winning four Awit Awards. As a member of the band, he released two studio albums—Diwa (2020) and Sad Songs and Bullshit Part 1 (2023)—the latter featured the single "Ere", which reached number one on the Billboard Philippine Songs chart and entered the Billboard Global 200 Excl. US. Labajo starred in the crime drama Blue Room (2022)—for which he was nominated for a Gawad Urian Award for Best Supporting Actor—and played Ninoy Aquino in the musical biopic Ako si Ninoy (2023).

Life and career

2001–2014: Early life and breakthrough

Juan Karlos Labajo was born on February 1, 2005, in Consolacion, Cebu. He is only child of Maylinda Labajo and Oliver Stolz. His mother is Filipino and a native of Cebu, whereas his father is a German from Munich. Labajo's parents where unwed; his father abandoned them shortly after his birth and he was raised by his mother as a single parent.[1][2] As a child, his peers at school bullied him for being biracial and often made fun of his looks.[3] Labajo's family was poor and struggled financially; they frequently moved houses because they were unable to pay rent.[4] Growing up, he worked as a waste picker to help his family make ends meet.[5] When he was twelve, Labajo's mother died of pancreatic cancer,[6][7] and he was raised by his maternal grandmother, Linda, and maternal uncle, Jovanni.[8]

Five days after his mother's passing, Labajo competed in the first season of the reality singing contest The Voice Kids (2013).[4] He later recalled that his participation in the show was motivated by his mother's wish to see him perform on television had she still been alive.[9][10] He auditioned with the song "Grow Old With You" by Adam Sandler. Judges Sarah Geronimo and Lea Salonga complimented his stylings and appeal, and Labajo joined Bamboo Mañalac's team.[11] He advanced to the finals and finished third place;[12] he was then signed to a record deal with MCA Records.[13]

After The Voice Kids, Labajo made his acting debut when he joined the cast of the drama series Hawak Kamay (2014), in which he played a young man caught in a love triangle with Zaijan Jaranilla and Andrea Brillantes.[14] He then starred in the anthology series Maalaala Mo Kaya, which premiered on September 27, 2014. He portrayed himself in the biographical episode which followed his early life and struggles.[15] Nestor Torre Jr. of the Philippine Daily Inquirer felt that his emotional delivery was contrived, adding that the dramatic scenes "were pushed so much for emotional effect that they occasionally came off as exploitative".[16] For his performance, Labajo was nominated for a Star Award for Best New Male TV Personality.[17]

2015–2017: Solo career

In 2015, Labajo appeared as a guest performer in an episode of the legal drama anthology Ipaglaban Mo! playing an underaged driver involved in a car accident.[18] He followed this with a recurring role in the drama series Pangako Sa 'Yo (2015),[19] a remake of the 2000 television show which starred Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo.[20] Boy Abunda from The Philippine Star noted that Labajo's work on the series "transformed him into a certified teen heartthrob".[19] Labajo's debut studio album JK, containing the lead single "Para Sa 'Yo", was released in September 2015.[21] Its six tracks were a collaboration with songwriters Jensen Gomez, Kennard Faraon, and Brad Go.[10] Reviewers from The Philippine Star lauded his maturity as a singer and were impressed with the album's "jazz and mellow" sound.[10][19][21] Abunda opined that his style is more attuned to "adults rather than children his age",[19] and Rito Asilo of the Philippine Daily Inquirer wrote, "His songs benefit from his soulful note-tweaking and idio-syncratic phrasing, made uniquely endearing by occasional hints of his Visayan accent."[22] The album received a platinum certification from the Philippine Association of the Record Industry.[23] For the song "Para Sa 'Yo", Labajo was nominated for an Awit Award for Best Performance by a New Male Recording Artist,[24] and earned two Myx Music Award nominations for Favorite Male Artist and Favorite Mellow Video.[25]

The year 2016 saw Labajo in two reality television shows. He was part of the music competition We Love OPM, a spin-off of the reality series I Love OPM. It features celebrities performing as a group and singing covers of a featured OPM artist each week. Labajo, alongside Kyle Echarri and Bailey May, were mentored by Richard Poon.[26] He next appeared as a celebrity contestant in the seventh season of the reality game show Pinoy Big Brother, which was the first edition of the franchise to be filmed overseas in Ho Chi Minh City.[27] Labajo began 2017 by starring in the family drama series A Love to Last, in which he played a rebellious son who blames his father after being abandoned by their mother as a child. He considered the part as a turning point in his career and described it as a "big boy" role.[28] The critic Bot Glorioso found Labajo's acting to be a "revelation" and commended his "stirring portrayal".[29]

Labajo began songwriting for his second studio album, JKL, which was released in February 2017.[23][30] He wrote three tracks on the album, describing these as a reflection of his life and frame of mind at the time. The lead single, "Sana Kung Pwede Lang", was written by Urbandub lead vocalist Gabby Alipe.[23] In support of the album, Labajo staged his first headlining concert at the New Frontier Theater that same month.[30] A second single, "Demonyo", was released in April;[31] it received nominations for Best Pop Recording and Best Rock/Alternative Recording at the 2018 Awit Awards.[32] He garnered a Male Pop Artist of the Year nomination at the 2018 Star Awards for Music.[33] The Joven Tan-directed independent comedy drama, Tatlong Bibe (2017), was Labajo's cinematic debut in which he played the grandson to Eddie Garcia and Dionisia Pacquiao's characters.[34]

2018–2022: Band formation

Main article: Juan Karlos

During a recording session at Sonic State Studio in May 2018, Labajo began work on the single "Buwan",[35] collaborating with musicians Jeriko Aguilar (guitar), Louise Bayas (bass), and Gian Hipolito (drums).[36] Drawing inspiration from Bob Dylan's lyrical techniques and folk sound,[35]: 2:15  the single was released on June 22, 2018.[37] The following month, Labajo announced that he had formed the band Juan Karlos with the group,[38] making their debut live performance on July 6 at 12 Monkeys Bar in Pasig.[39] Pocholo Concepcion from the Philippine Daily Inquirer commended Labajo's intense and emotive singing, and alluded to the song's "clever use of imagery, [and] its catchy chorus" as the highlight.[40] Similarly, Vincent Garcia of News.ABS-CBN.com was impressed with its "kundiman and harana-ish styling, simmering with just the right amount of groove and swagger".[39] Labajo received multiple accolades for "Buwan"; it was named Best Rock/Alternative Recording, Favorite Song, and Favorite Record at the 2019 Awit Awards,[41] and won Song of the Year at the 2020 Star Awards for Music.[42]

Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Labajo conceived the band's first studio album, for which he was given full conceptual and creative control over the project. It resulted in a record that merged various music genres ranging from heavy metal, blues, and alternative rock, intertwined with elements of "typical OPM love songs".[43] Preceded by the single "Sampaguita", a collaboration with rapper Gloc-9, Diwa was released on March 20, 2020.[44] At the 2021 Awit Awards, Labajo earned nominations for Album of the Year and Best Collaboration.[45] The singles "Sampaguita" and "Kalawakan" were nominated for Myx Music Awards for Collaboration of the Year and Rock Video of the Year, respectively.[46] After a one-year hiatus, Labajo returned to recording and released the single "Boston" in July 2021.[47] The band then collaborated with Ben&Ben and Zild Benitez, releasing the song "Lunod" in September.[48] The former single was nominated for Contemporary Folk Performance of the Year at the 2022 Wish 107.5 Music Awards,[49] and the latter song received five Awit Award nominations, winning Best Music Video.[50][51]

Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan's crime drama Blue Room, which premiered at the 2022 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, featured Labajo as the indie-rock band member Anton Lorenzana. The film is about a group of privileged teenagers and musicians who get arrested for drug possession and are bribed by dirty cops.[52][53] News.ABS-CBN.com's Fred Hawson commended the film's "pointed, pertinent social commentary" and the ensemble cast's "raw natural talent", calling their performances as one with "simmering Gen Z angst".[53] Blue Room was screened at the 2023 LA Femme Film Festival, where it won Best Foreign Film.[54] For his portrayal, Labajo was nominated for Gawad Urian Award for Best Supporting Actor.[55] That year, under Island Records, he recorded three songs with his band for an extended play titled Drop 1. It featured tracks which NME described as "mellow, acoustic guitar-led sound, backed by stirring keys, bass and drum performances".[56]

2023–present: Continued success

Continuing with his film work, Labajo starred as the politician Ninoy Aquino in the musical biopic Ako si Ninoy (2023).[57] An adaptation of Vincent Tañada's 2009 musical, it focuses on several fictional characters whose lives drew parallels to the principles and morals of Aquino.[58] Labajo found it challenging to play a polarizing political figure and feared partisan attacks directed towards him. He has said, "We're not going to change political views on things. We’re merely using Ninoy Aquino as a basis of what a hero is".[59] Writing for News.ABS-CBN.com, Hawson dismissed the film for its clichéd storytelling and overly dramatic scenes, but credited Labajo's vocal performance.[60] His next release, the coming-of-age drama When This Is All Over, was screened at the 2023 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. The film saw him play a dealer who samples recreational drugs before distributing them to his wealthy clients. Jocelyn Dimaculangan of the Philippine Entertainment Portal praised his nuanced and visceral portrayal,[61] and Hawson was impressed with how he effectively conveyed a multi-faceted character.[62]

Artistry

Influences

Musical style and themes

Personal life

Acting credits and awards

Discography

References

  1. ^ "14 things you need to know about Juan Karlos Labajo" (in Tagalog). RMN Networks. October 7, 2018. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  2. ^ Franco, Bernie V. (April 6, 2020). "JK Labajo stops search for German father: "His bio says 'Life is beautiful.' He definitely doesn't want me to be part of it."". Philippine Entertainment Portal (in Tagalog). Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  3. ^ Malonzo-Balane, Cristina (August 19, 2014). "JK Labajo reveals how he was bullied in school". News.ABS-CBN.com. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "The Voice Kids runner-up Juan Karlos shares his life story in MMK". News.ABS-CBN.com. September 27, 2014. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  5. ^ "Juan Karlos admits family struggling with debt". News.ABS-CBN.com. August 14, 2014. Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  6. ^ Gabinete, Jojo (August 5, 2015). "JK Labajo dedicates debut album to his late mother: "I feel I'm achieving my dreams, our dreams, pero without her."". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  7. ^ Llemit, Kathleen A. (May 12, 2024). "JK Labajo looks back at late mom as inspiration". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  8. ^ Amoyo, Aster (June 8, 2017). "JK naghahanap ng amang German" [JK still searching for German dad]. The Philippine Star (in Tagalog). Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  9. ^ Salut, EJ (August 15, 2024). "Juan Karlos Labajo describes the pain of losing his mother" (in Tagalog). News.ABS-CBN.com. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c Calderon, Ricky L. (August 6, 2015). "JK Labajo releases first album". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  11. ^ Garcia, Vincent (June 7, 2024). "13-year-old Cebuano charms coaches, netizens". News.ABS-CBN.com. Archived from the original on June 8, 2014. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  12. ^ "Lyka is Voice Kids champion". News.ABS-CBN.com. July 27, 2014. Archived from the original on December 27, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  13. ^ "The Voice Kids top 4 joins Star Magic". News.ABS-CBN.com. August 20, 2014. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  14. ^ Torre, Nestor U. (September 16, 2014). "Child stars in the early throes of puberty". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  15. ^ "The Voice kid in MMK". The Philippine Star. September 27, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  16. ^ Torre, Nestor U. (October 14, 2014). "When actors play themselves". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  17. ^ Smith, Chuck (February 19, 2016). "Angel, Maja compete for best actress award at 2014 Star Awards for TV". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  18. ^ "Juan Karlos, sasabak muli sa heavy drama sa Ipaglaban Mo" [Juan Karlos to star in a heavy drama via Ipaglaban Mo] (in Tagalog). News.ABS-CBN.com. May 15, 2015. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  19. ^ a b c d Abunda, Boy (September 21, 2015). "JK emerges from his shell". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  20. ^ Cartlaba, Jude (June 1, 2025). "Pangako Sa 'Yo then and now, through the eyes of a fan". Rappler. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  21. ^ a b "Juan Karlos Labajo releases debut album". The Philippine Star. September 3, 2015. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  22. ^ Asilo, Rito P. (July 18, 2015). "Star-making recording debut for Juan Karlos Labajo". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  23. ^ a b c Bonifacio, Mark (March 15, 2017). "Juan Karlos Labajo releases sophomore album". The Manila Times. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  24. ^ "Multiple Nominations for MCA artists at 29th Awit Awards". Manila Standard. August 14, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  25. ^ "MCA Music artists vie in MYX Music Awards 2016". The Philippine Star. February 19, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  26. ^ "We Love OPM premiere pays tribute to Martin Nievera". News.ABS-CBN.com. May 15, 2016. Archived from the original on May 15, 2016. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  27. ^ Salterio, Leah C. (July 11, 2016). "PBB Lucky 7 reveals celebrity housemates". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  28. ^ Santos, Rhea Manila (January 10, 2017). "JK Labajo on his role in A Love to Last: 'I'm turning into a man'". News.ABS-CBN.com. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  29. ^ Glorioso, Bot (September 5, 2017). "JK a revelation in A Love to Last". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  30. ^ a b "JKL Live - Juan Karlos Labajo". Bandwagon. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  31. ^ "New Music – Juan Karlos Labajo releases composed track "Demonyo" & Autotelic out with third single "Languyin"". Philippine Daily Inquirer. April 24, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  32. ^ "Full list: Gloc-9 leads nominees for Awit Awards 2018". News.ABS-CBN.com. May 28, 2018. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  33. ^ "Full list: Nominees, PMPC Star Awards for Music 2017-2018". Rappler. August 22, 2018. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  34. ^ "Dream fulfilled for JK Labajo". Tempo (in Tagalog). February 22, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  35. ^ a b "The making of "Buwan" by Juan Karlos". UMG Philippines. July 2, 2018. Retrieved June 15, 2024 – via YouTube.
  36. ^ "Juan Karlos reaches into his soul in new single". Daily Tribune. August 5, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2024 – via PressReader.
  37. ^ "Buwan - Single by Juan Karlos". Apple Music. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  38. ^ Lim, Lance Paolo (July 23, 2018). "Juan Karlos Labajo reveals forming his own band". News.ABS-CBN.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  39. ^ a b Garcia, Vincent (July 6, 2018). "Bored of singing covers, Juan Karlos is marching to his own beat". News.ABS-CBN.com. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  40. ^ Concepcion, Pocholo (November 25, 2018). "Why Juan Karlos' fans are over the moon". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  41. ^ "Full list: Winners, Awit Awards 2019". Rappler. October 11, 2019. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  42. ^ Sancon, Allan; Dimaculangan, Jocelyn (January 24, 2020). "And the winners of the 11th Star Awards for Music 2020 are..." Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  43. ^ "Juan Karlos releases new album online amid COVID-19 quarantine". News.ABS-CBN.com. March 24, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  44. ^ Biong, Ian (March 20, 2020). "Juan Karlos' first ever album Diwa out now". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  45. ^ "Awit Awards 2021: Unique, SB19, Leanne & Naara, Zild, Ben&Ben among finalists". Rappler. November 5, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  46. ^ "List: MYX Awards 2021 nominees revealed". News.ABS-CBN.com. June 19, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  47. ^ "Juan Karlos returns from hiatus with single 'Boston'". GMA Network News. July 30, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  48. ^ Lago, Amanda T. (September 14, 2021). "In Pebble House, Vol 1: Kuwaderno, Ben&Ben shows the world what they can do". Rappler. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  49. ^ "Moira, SB19 win big in 7th Wish Music Awards". News.ABS-CBN.com. January 31, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  50. ^ Severo, Jan Milo (November 24, 2022). "List: Awit Awards 2022 winners". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on November 24, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  51. ^ "21 Nominations tayo for Awit Awards!" [We received 21 nominations for Awit Awards!] (in Tagalog). Ben&Ben. September 24, 2022. Archived from the original on September 24, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2024 – via Facebook.
  52. ^ "Dive into stories of an indie and rock band, an impostor child, and more in Cinemalaya 2022's full-length lineup". Philippine Daily Inquirer. August 8, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  53. ^ a b Hawson, Fred (August 12, 2022). "Cinemalaya review: Gen Z angst simmers in suspenseful Blue Room". News.ABS-CBN.com. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  54. ^ "Blue Room is first PH film to win at LA Femme film fest". News.ABS-CBN.com. October 24, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  55. ^ Purnell, Kristofer (November 3, 2023). "Nadine Lustre, John Lloyd Cruz lead 2023 Gawad Urian nominees". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  56. ^ Singh, Surej (April 1, 2022). "Juan Karlos shares three new songs in Drop 1 collection". NME. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  57. ^ Guerrero, Amadis Ma. (February 4, 2023). "Young actors shine in Ako si Ninoy film". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  58. ^ Abunda, Boy (May 17, 2023). "Ninoy Aquino as seen through the lens of Vince Tañada". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  59. ^ Brosas, Alex (January 31, 2023). "JK Labajo says playing Ninoy Aquino in movie was daunting". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  60. ^ Hawson, Fred (February 22, 2023). "Movie review: Juan Karlos gives his all in Ako si Ninoy". News.ABS-CBN.com. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  61. ^ Dimaculangan, Jocelyn (August 12, 2023). "Review: JK Labajo-starrer When This Is All Over delves into family wounds, issues of privilege and substance abuse". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  62. ^ Hawson, Fred (August 9, 2023). "Cinemalaya review: Juan Karlos gets trippy in When This is All Over". News.ABS-CBN.com. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
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