Celebrities react to Jojo Mendrez’s revival of Julie Vega’s “Somewhere in My Past”

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Celebrities react to Jojo Mendrez’s revival of  Julie Vega’s “Somewhere in My Past”

Jojo Mendrez, dubbed the “Revival King,” is set to serenade audiences once again with a new revival song. This time, Pinoy will feel nostalgic with his rendition of the late Julie Vega’s iconic song Somewhere in My Past, which will soon be released by Star Music across all digital platforms.

Listen to a sneak peek of Jojo’s rendition in a video honoring Julie Vega below.

Some Filipino celebrities have already expressed heartfelt reactions to the sneak peek through Jojo’s official Facebook page.

National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor, visibly moved by the preview, said, “Naiyak ako. Tagos talaga sa puso. Ang ganda ng boses at sadyang mararamdaman mo si Jojo.” (I cried. It really pierces the heart. His voice is beautiful, and you can truly feel Jojo’s emotion.)

For versatile actress Janice De Belen in her reaction video, she can’t help but praise the beauty of the song.

“Nostalgic kasi siyempre, alam ko no’ng ni-release yung kanta,” shared Janice. Narinig ko nung kinakanta-kanta niya yan… It’s sung by a person who is close to you, tapos siyempre wala na siya dito… Ang galing na lalaki yung nag-revive… Kung naririnig ni Julie yan, matutuwa siya.” (It’s nostalgic, of course, because I remember when the song was released. I heard her singing it back then… It’s sung by someone who is close to you, and of course, she’s no longer here… It’s amazing that a man revived it… If Julie could hear this, she would be happy.)

Acclaimed actress Claudine Barretto gave her heartfelt congratulations, saying, “Jojo, congratulations! Bagay talaga sa ‘yo ang title na The Revival King.” (The title “The Revival King” really suits you.)

Meanwhile, actress Snooky Serna, who shared the screen with Julie in multiple films, shared her emotional experience: “I feel blessed to be able to listen to Jojo’s voice singing Somewhere in My Past.” She added, “The voice of Jojo Mendrez is calming. I really thought I was going to cry with this revival version.”

Nora Aunor, who played Julie’s mother in the film Anak ng Atsay, has long been vocal about her admiration for Julie’s talent. Snooky Serna, Julie’s co-star in several beloved films, reminisced about their friendship, while Claudine Barretto shared that Julie was her idol growing up. Notably, Janice de Belen, who had an iconic rivalry with Julie in the iconic aoap operas Flor de Luna and Annaliza, was one of the first to rush to the hospital upon hearing of Julie’s passing, underscoring their close bond.

Jojo Mendrez’s Facebook posts also featured a side-by-side clip of Julie’s original TV performance of Somewhere in My Past alongside a preview of his revival. One standout moment highlighted Julie’s performance singing for Superstar Nora Aunor on the noontime show Big Ike’s Happening.

The timeless ballad, composed by Mon Del Rosario, remains one of Julie Vega’s most cherished legacies. Mon shared that Jojo was handpicked for the revival because of his unique ability to capture the song’s essence while adding his signature style. Music arrangement by Marvin Querido, audio engineering and mastering by Dante Tañedo, and Star Music’s Jonathan Manalo’s guidance have all contributed to this much-anticipated release.

Jojo’s revival of Somewhere in My Past is more than just a rendition—it’s a tribute to Julie Vega’s enduring legacy as a multi-talented actress, singer, and commercial model. Despite her untimely passing at age 16, Julie’s impact continues to resonate, as evidenced by the emotional responses of those who knew and admired her.

Early this year, fans can also look forward to a music video accompanying the revival.

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