‘Rak of Aegis’ actor OJ Mariano joins The CompanY
Singer and theater actor OJ Mariano now has a new job to add to his resume: the new tenor of the vocal group The CompanY.
OJ was selected to be part of the group after a series of auditions and interviews.
His predecessor Jay Marquez, who has been part of the vocal harmony group for 10 years, plans to migrate to Canada with his family.
Solid background
“Nag-call back siya, interview at on-the-spot harmony exercise para ma-test naming siya on that, kasi iyon ang mahirap sa grupo,” Sweet Plantado said at the press conference.
Before OJ joined the company, he has been making a name for himself in the theater world. He has appeared in the local musical “Rak of Aegis,” played a transvestite in “Priscilla,” a basketball player in “Rivalrty” and a male stripper in “The Full Monty.”
He is the second-runner up in the second season of “Star in a Million” and has released several albums since.
‘Ito na’
“I was invited to audition for the part. I’ve been a fan ever since. It’s such a tremendous honor to be a part of the group. Singing in harmony was not much of an adjustment kasi I used to sing in a choir,” OJ said.
The group has nothing but good words for their newest member.
“Maganda talaga ang boses ni OJ. Sobrang kikiligin ka kapag narinig mo siya. So, nag-test na kami kung makaka-harmonize siya sa amin. So, tinginan lang kaming apat, ‘Ito na,’” Sweet said.
Not a one-night stand
Moy Ortiz said that finding a new member for their group was like “looking for a spouse.”
“You’re not looking for one-night stand. You’re looking for someone who will stay for the long run. We’re looking for someone who can sing harmony, someone who can sing solo, someone who has a good diction of English and Filipino, someone whom we have a commonality of basic values—we must be on the same page, of course—the attitude and what the long term plans are of that person,” Moy said.
The CompanY will have a New Year concert at Solaire, where they will be sending off Jay and welcoming OJ to their group. Other members of The CompanY are Annie Quintos and Cecile Bautista.
“It took quite some time and we prayed for it and we claim that OJ is God-sent. He fits the bill with all of the job requirements that we’re looking for in a member,” Moy said.
