CEBU CITY, Philippines — Filipino-Canadian Jomari “Jomzay” Gil Denuro was 9 years old when he started to put words and music together.
“Our music is really inspired through life experience and what we see around us. As the main songwriter for our group, 12.01, I tend to pull off memories from my childhood and my experiences growing up in Cebu and the relationships that I’ve had when I was there,” said Jomzay.Their group has already met success with performances with the Philippines’ own December Avenue, JRoa, Hale, Luke Mejares, Parokya ni Edgar, among others.
“We wanted to make it an enlightening experience— that regardless of what you’re going through, you have the power to break through those challenges and break through the pain,” he said.The songwriter is ecstatic and excited for the nomination as he not only represents Edmonton, Alberta, but also his beloved hometown, Cebu.
Should Jomzay be given the opportunity to write a song about the Philippines and Cebu, he said he would turn into music and lyrics the lives of Filipino women.