Jed Madela on Darren Espanto and JK Labajo: ‘I’m very happy that they call me kuya’

When he’s not busy performing for different events all over the country as well as being seen on ASAP on Sundays, JedMadela said he loves spending time with family and loved ones. Among those he considers as his close friends in showbiz are fellow singers Darren Espanto and JK Labajo. On social media, the three refer to their friendship as #BrotherhoodOfThePopcorn” which Jed explained during the Christmas Musical Lights Show opening at Festival Mall in Filinvest Alabang last December 1.

"Right after nung nanalo sila sa The Voice Kids we performed once in ASAP and dun na kami nag-bond and pareho pala yung hilig namin sa movies. So we would go out and watch movies kaming tatlo kasama nung ibang friends namin and we would always buy one huge tub of popcorn each na different flavors and dun na nagsimula yung brotherhood of the popcorn,” he told Push.

With Darren set to spend Christmas his hometown in Canada, Jed said they are still hoping to go out before the holiday season gets too hectic to meet up and exchange gifts. "Hopefully I get to meet with them before they all go on vacation. Si Darren he dropped by one time sa bahay ko during the blessing. Si JK is very busy with shooting so hindi pa kami nakakapag-hang out. Nagkikita lang kami sa ASAP so hopefully before the holidays makalabas kami. Meron na akong gift para sa kanila. Ganun kami eh. Like Darren, whenever he goes abroad naaalala niya kami ni JK. He would buy something for himself tapos pareho yung sa amin. The same thing with JK and sa akin din ganun wo wala lang parang understanding lang naming tatlo yun,” he explained.

With Darren performing doing his own concerts and JK acting in the top-rated teleserye Pangako Sa ‘Yo, Jed said he is witness to how his two friends have evolved. "You know what, they’ve grown a lot. Number one JK from mataas ang boses niya. He’s like a crooner, very Michael Buble-ish and well the pilyo JK is still there, ganun pa din siya kapilyo at makulit. But iba na, iba na. Binata na si JK and si Darren naman bilib pa rin ako sa talent ng batang yun. Behind the camera he’s a very normal teenager. Pero they’ve grown a lot. Parang kasing tangkad ko na si JK, si Darren humahabol na rin. It’s nice seeing these kids grow. To be there na parang kuya nila, I’m very happy that they call me their kuya,” he shared.

Jed also had something to say about JK’s acting debut. "Niloloko ko nga siya kasi parang hindi siya nag-a-acting. He is who he is. Parang kung sino si JK na parang natural lang happy-go-lucky, pilyo na laging nang-aasar, ganun na ganun siya eh. Kaya minsan pag nakikita ko siya sa Pangako Sa ‘Yo tine-text ko yan at niloloko ko yun. But I’m so proud of him na aside from singing he is also excelling in acting,” he added.

For those who are still pitting the two teen performers against each other, Jed said healthy competition is good but it doesn’t mean they can’t be good friends at the same time. "Well there’s always competition. Kahit ako naman, kahit sa mga co-champions ko may mga pinag-ko-compete sa akin. But at the end of the day both the kids will always stand out in their own singing style, in their own chosen field of music. Like si JK is more alternative, rock-ish standards. Si Darren is very pop, ibang iba talaga so I don’t think there’s any point of comparison kasi pareho silang magagaling,” he said.