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Who knew one show could deliver three versions of Filipino singer-songwriter Jose Mari Chan? If there is one thing that “Your Face Sounds Familiar” has proven, it's that the spirit of Jose Mari Chan lives rent-free in our hearts---and these ka-Familiars delivered interpretations that honored the OPM icon's artistry.
Here are three standout Jose Mari Chan performances across seasons of “Your Face Sounds Familiar” that lit up the stage.
Kean Cipriano (YFSF Season 2, 2015) - “Beautiful Girl”
Kean Cipriano trades his rockstar swagger for Jose Mari Chan’s signature calm charm as he croons the 1989 classic “Beautiful Girl.” He is joined on stage by Filipino beauty queens MJ Lastimosa, Bea Rose Santiago, and Mutya Datul---mirroring the original music video, where Jose Mari Chan was accompanied by prominent actresses and personalities of that era as the “beautiful girls.”
This performance left Judge Sharon Cuneta speechless. She noted that in the first few episodes, Kean still seemed shy, but he eventually bloomed into one of the season’s standout performers, improving every week. Meanwhile, Judge Gary Valenciano commended how Kean nailed Jose Mari Chan’s genre, which is far from what he usually does as a band vocalist.
Coach Jed Madela lauded how Kean absorbed everything to fully transform into the OPM balladeer. “Hindi lang 100%, more than that binibigay mo [sa performance],” he said. Jed also highlighted the details---from Kean’s facial expressions down to his mannerisms---saying he perfectly embodied Jose Mari Chan in his performance. “You have proven to everybody na you are the perfect canvas for this contest.”
Kean placed 5th at the end of the season.
CJ Navato (YFSF Season 3, 2021) - “Beautiful Girl”
The third season of “YFSF” had its own Jose Mari Chan moment thanks to CJ Navato, who charmed the crowd with his take on “Beautiful Girl.”
Judge Ogie couldn’t help but applaud how CJ captured the OPM icon’s vibe---plus, it was obvious he was having the time of his life onstage. Judge Gary added that CJ proved he’s a real musician, nailing even the tiniest Jose Mari Chan details.
Lastly, “You did not fail me, CJ,” were the heartfelt words that first came out of Judge Sharon. “Inaral mo talaga pati enunciation ni Tito Jo, pati ‘yung consonants na ini-stress niya. Thank you for doing justice to such a beloved icon.” She applauded CJ’s performance.
CJ placed 6th at the end of the season.
JM Dela Cerna (YFSF Season 4, 2025) – “Christmas in Our Hearts” with Marielle Montellano
In a heartfelt tribute to a Filipino holiday classic, The Birit Duo JMielle, JM Dela Cerna and Marielle Montellano, transformed into Jose Mari Chan (JM) and his daughter Liza Chan (Marielle) to bless the audience with a serene rendition of the beloved 1990 classic “Christmas in Our Hearts.”
At the end of their performance, Judge Sharon was speechless. “Kahit anong ipagawa mo talaga, super galing n’yong dalawa,” she said, noting how the duo was so good that the judges simply sat back and enjoyed.
Judge Gary observed that Jose Mari Chan’s voice is tender and gentle, making it a challenge for JM and Marielle to shift into something more mellow---quite different from the genres they usually tackle on the “YFSF” stage. To him, JMielle delivered an outstanding performance. Judge Ogie added that Marielle’s performance was flawless, while JM’s resemblance to Jose Mari Chan was uncanny. He had nothing but applause for the two.
The judges capped it off by saying JMielle truly took them back to the nostalgic feeling of Christmas through their performance.
Whether it was sweet, mellow, or full-on nostalgic, these performances honored Jose Mari Chan while showcasing their versatility as artists. Their tributes underscored the impact of Jose Mari Chan and the legacy that continues to inspire performers across generations.
Love these performances? There's a whole lot more waiting for you every weekend! Catch more on “Your Face Sounds Familiar,” Saturdays and Sundays on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Onlive Live (KOL), A2Z, TV5, and iWant!