Loay composer writes 3 MYMP-album songs

By: Earl David

NEXT time you buy a Make Your Mother Proud (MYMP) album, chances you could pick out the lines panned by your low-profile and yet internationally acclaimed Boholano hit-songwriter from Loay. Boholano composer Jimmy Borja does it again, this time by writing at least three songs into the newly released album under Ivory Records called “New Horizon” by popular acoustic band Make Your Mother Proud (MYMP).

The band's lead vocalist Juris Fernandez personally asked Borja to write songs for their album, reports said. Juris' father, Roger Fernandez, who also traces his roots to Loay has personally recommended Borja, who now lives in Southern California to the MYMP. The band, fresh from a U.S tour after gathering a multi-platinum debut album, is one of the premiere acts in the Philippines today. Borja, a seemingly virtual low profile Boholano also wrote the recent hit of Philippine pop princess Sarah Geronimo “I Still Believe In Loving You.” Last year, Borja he also had a major hit “If The Feeling Is Gone” with Rhythm and Blues artist Kyla.

MYMP's latest CD also features a Christmas song composed by Borja called “Soon It's Christmas.” Christmas songs always have a special meaning to Borja, since his first major hit song was a Christmas ballad called “Sana Ngayong Pasko,” first popularized by Ariel Rivera. Over the years, the song has been recorded by countless other artists including Lea Salonga, Jolina Magdangal, Sharon Cuneta and most recently by Jed Madela. It has now become a Christmas classic, played on radio and performed on television year after year and even used in TV commercials.

Borja also penned the Lani Misalucha mega hit “Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin and his songs have been recorded by a diverse bunch of artists like Ogie Alcasid, Carol Banawa, Dingdong Avanzado, Jessa Zaragosa, Janno Gibbs, Chad Borja, Pops Fernandez, Roselle Nava, Ella May Saison, Agot Isidro, Jaya, Zsazsa Padilla, to name a few. He also has songs on upcoming releases of Rachelle Ann Go, Mark Bautista and bossa nova artist Sofia. In the U.S. , he has performed in various songwriter venues. Last December 14, he performed at Hallenbecks in North Hollywood in a special Songwriter Showcase sharing the stage with American songwriter Lois Blaisch who composed “Could Have Been” popularized by Tiffany and Jessica Simpson.

l