An auspicious start for a relative newcomer in the music industry, Jerome John Hughes got his first lucky break when he sang the theme song "Pagbigyan Ang Puso" for the movie Mano Po 3. The song won the Best Movie Theme Song category in last December's Metro Manila Film festival.

Barely four months ago, Jerome John Hughes signed an exclusive recording and management contract with Universal Records. He didn't expect his singing career would shift to high gear in such a short time.

However, Jerome (who is of Batangueno and Irish-American descent) is no stranger in the world of entertainment and showbiz. Before, he was a commercial model, actor and TV host. He was nominated at the 1999 Ad Congress for his performance in the Nestle TV advert. He also did advertising works including Secret Deodorant, Sunsilk Leave-on Conditioner, Magnolia Nestle Yoghurt, Colgate Toothpaste, Caltex Star Mart, Nova Chips, Union Bank Visa Gold, Globe Telecom, San Miguel Beer, Canadian Jeans, Lady's Choice and Timberland-Malaysia among others. He appeared in several movies and tele-dramas, appearing in the top-rated TV series Darating Ang Umaga (ABS CBN), Kung Mawawala Ka (GMA), Flames, the Judy Ann Santos Drama Special, Daisy Siete and Maid In Heaven. He had stellar roles in stage presentations such as "Larawan" and "Tiboli". He was host of the Bb. Pilipinas Pageant Parade of Beauties from 2001 to 2004, as well as the Miss Asia Pacific Quest 2003.

As singer, he also performed in the choicest venues across the world - in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York, Chicago, Hawaii, Guam, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Dubai, Venezuela and Dominican Republic.

Presently though, Jerome would like to concentrate on his singing career. He is now busy finishing his recording of his debut album from Universal Records due out sometime March. In line with this, he is already promoting a single off his debut record that also happens to again be the theme song of a movie. This time, the movie and theme are both entitled "Let The Love Begin". The film stars Richard Gutierrez and Angel Locsin (of Mulawin fame). Jerome has a cameo role in the film.

Jerome John Hughes is slated to perform in a series of mall shows in line with the promotion of theme and movie Let The Love Begin. He will be at the SM North Edsa on January 29 (Sat.) at 4pm, at Ever Gotesco Grand Central on January 30 (Sun.) at 6pm, at SM Fairview on January 30 (Sun.) at 6pm and at the SM Manila on February 6 at 6pm. He is set to have a spot number at the premiers of the movie. He has and will appear in several programs in GMA to coincide promotion for the film, along with R&B princess Kyla.

This is just a glimpse of the whirlwind schedule ahead for Jerome John Hughes. Not surprisingly, for he is predicted to be a star on the rise.