James Patrick Romero Bondoc is a famous musician in the Philippines. He more recognized in the name ”Jimmy Bondoc” in the Philippine music scene. He is not an average musician and was not only tagged as one of the country’s top acoustic acts but named as the Mr. Musikero. At the same time, he also a composer and a producer.
Jimmy Bondoc was born on May 31, 1975. He studied his entire education from Grade School High School and in College at Ateneo de Manila University. He graduated with the degree of AB Communications. He measures 5’7” in height.
Before his performing career, Jimmy ever wanted to be an actor. He started playing in grade school with Ateneo Children’s Theatre and in high school, Dulaang Sibol. After his graduation, he tried musical scene and even recorded songs as a member of the band Essence. Eventually, Jimmy realized he had to pursue his career as a solo artist.
His rose to fame is a history. On October 1992, he wrote the song “Let Me Be The One”. He recorded the songs and sent a copy to Wave 89.1, a hit radio station. He wrapped it with a crumpled papers bonded together by a scotch tape. For several days, the tape remained untouched until the sound engineer handed the copy to Eric Perpertua, a popular Radio Jockery. Eric amused by the package, showed the CD to Joe D’ Mango, the station manager. Upon the airing of the song, it soared to # 1 position in no time and remained for an astonishing six weeks.
His self-titled debut album, Jimmy Bondoc was released on 2000 under the label of Star Records. On the same year, he collaborated with some compilations under Star Records such as Tanging Yaman- Dadaanin Sa Panalangin, Himig Handog Sa Bayaning Pilipino- Ako, Ikaw, Tayo, Di Ba’t Pasko’y Pag-ibig- Di Ba’t Pasko’y Pag-ibig (all stars) and Ngayong Pasko- Sa Pasko Ang Dalangin Medley with Tootsie Guevara & 92 AD.
Star OPM Power Hits which was released under Star Records on the same year and also his “Alam Ko” in Hymns of Mercy of the same label. During the 2001 Jesuit Communication Foundation, he performed “Ikaw Ang Mahal Ko”. The lyrics of the song was written by Onofre Pagsanghan but added and arranged by Jimmy himself.
His second solo album was released on 2002 entitled Let Me Be The One Jimmy Bondoc under NA Records. Albums as Got To Believe OST/VCD & The Number One OPM Hits, The Love Song Collection #1 contained his composed song, “Just For That Moment”. Another song, “You Are Emmanuel” was featured in Ngayong Pasko and Only Selfless Love under Star Records.
Another album of Jimmy was released on 2003, now under new label, BMG Records Pilipinas. The album was dubbed Last Year’s Christmas. Several songs were included on other albums under Star Records such as Trip OST (Tuwing Umuulan), The Brightest Stars of Christmas (You Are Emmanuel), Star OPM Acoustic Hits (Forevermore) and Kundiman (Saan Ka Man Naroroon). His single “Konti Man Lang” was incorporated in Acoustic Local of Viva Records.
Jimmy Bondoc has his own show, Piano Talk in radio Wave 89.1. He also released his new single “The Man I Was With You” and instantly became a hit, topping the station’s charts for 11 weeks.
On 2004, his solo album Musikero was released under BMG Records Pilipinas containing ten original tracks written by Jimmy himself. The album included the two singles, “Let Me Be The One” and “The Man I Was With You”. It also contained a special hidden track which find really interesting for the listeners.
Known for his original compositions, nobody expects he can do interpretation. But everyone was surprised when they hear the interpretation of Korean song I Believe into vernacular. The songs “I Believe” and “Let Me Be The One” in an EP My Sassy Girl Soundtrack on 2005 under Sony BMG Music Entertainment. Korean Movie, My Sassy Girl used I Believe as the series’ official soundtrack.
On 2005, his latest record was released under Sony BMG Music Entertainment entitled Undercovers. Here, he makes daring move to do things differently. The album consist mainly or revivals and covers of other songs such as Grow Old With You, Don’t Give Up On Us, Beauty And Madness, Everyday, Two Solitudes etc. The carrier single of the album is Stephen Speaks’ Out Of My League. Though the album displayed the more mature and secured Jimmy but still he maintained his signature style of acoustic simplicity and honesty. The bonus-track of I Believe was included in the album.
Jimmy Bondoc composed and performed “Like A Lover” and was included in the album Isn’t It Romantic of Sharon Cuneta which was released on 2006 under Sony BMG Music Entertainment. “Last Year’s Christmas”, composed by Jimmy Bondoc was also featured in Let There Be Peace On Earth on the same year. He also made a duet with Ara Mina performing “What Do We Mean To Each Other” in Ara Mina Moving On of 2006.
Another composition of Jimmy, “Hulog” was used as theme song of Romance In The White House featured in QTV Ch 11, the sister company of GMA Network.
Albums Jimmy Bondoc Let Me Be The One Jimmy Bondoc Last Year’s Christmas Musikero Undercovers
