John Paul "Japs" Ricafranca Sergio (born August 20, 1979) is a former

bassist A bassist (also known as a bass player or bass guitarist) is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass (upright bass, contrabass, wood bass), bass guitar (electric bass, acoustic bass), synthbass, keyboard bass or a low bra ...

vocalist Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or witho ...

guitarist A guitarist (or a guitar player) is a person who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of guitar family instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselve ...

songwriter A songwriter is a musician who professionally composes musical compositions or writes lyrics for songs, or both. The writer of the music for a song can be called a composer, although this term tends to be used mainly in the classical music ...

of the Filipino band

Rivermaya Rivermaya is a Filipino alternative rock band. Formed in 1994, it is one of the several bands who spearheaded the 1990s Philippine alternative rock explosion. Rivermaya is currently composed of original members Mark Escueta and Nathan Azarc ...

and the current guitarist/vocalist/frontman for the band Peso Movement.

Career

Sergio joined the band in April 2001 as a session member when he took over the role of Nathan Azarcon, who left the band in February 2001. When Kakoy Legaspi and Mike Elgar joined in May 2001, Sergio was officially absorbed and the band began recording for "Tuloy ang Ligaya". Their first performance under their new lineup was at NU Pocket Concerts in Alabang Town Center on June 2, 2001. Known to many as Japs, Japsuki, and JP, is actually a drummer. Furthermore, he is also one of the founders of the band Daydream Cycle and is the guitarist and co-songwriter of the said band. He went on hiatus some time in 2011 in

as he was focusing with Daydream Cycle. On December 19, 2011, Sergio released his project solo album titled "Monologue Whispers" under the mononym Japsuki. On November 2012, Sergio posted on his official Facebook page that he is no longer with Rivermaya. Currently, he is the frontman of the band Peso Movement along Francis Reyes, Macky Macaventa and Kurt Floreska. Sergio labels the group's genre as "dirty rock". On 2013, the band released their first song "Aling Pag-ibig Pa" as a part of the compilation album "Rock Supremo". a 150th birth anniversary that aims to honor the life and legacy of Andres Bonifacio. In 2014, the band released their debut album The Gentle Sound of Chaos” with its carrier single "Bawal Simangot". The album was well received by critics. In 2015, the band released their 2nd single "Dadami Pera". In 2015, he released his 2nd album "Pinoy Pop" under the mononym Japsuki. In 2016, Sergio temporarily returned to Rivermaya taking over Norby David after he left the band the same year. He toured on some live shows until original bassist

Nathan Azarcon Nathan Peter Hachero Azarcon (born January 29, 1975) is a Filipino musician, nationalist, songwriter, and producer. He is currently the bassist, vocalist and one of the founding members of Filipino rock band Rivermaya. He was also a member of the ...

permanently filled in the position. He co-produced two tracks on Rivermaya's 13th studio album ''

Sa Kabila ng Lahat ''Sa Kabila ng Lahat'' ''()'' is a 1991 Philippine political drama film directed by Lino Brocka. It stars Dina Bonnevie and Tonton Gutierrez. This is the last film made by Brocka before he was killed in a car accident. Plot A famous television ...

'', which was released on September 15, 2017. On the same year, he released his third solo album "Stereo Mood Swings".

Personal life

His older brother Andrew Ryan Steve "Dok" Sergio (born February 27, 1976), is the bassist of his other band, Daydream Cycle and

Pupil The pupil is a black hole located in the center of the iris of the eye that allows light to strike the retina.Cassin, B. and Solomon, S. (1990) ''Dictionary of Eye Terminology''. Gainesville, Florida: Triad Publishing Company. It appears black ...

. Sergio attended Manresa School in BF Homes

Parañaque Parañaque, officially the City of Parañaque ( fil, Lungsod ng Parañaque, ), is a first class highly urbanized city in the National Capital Region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 689,992 people. It is ...

from preparatory school until high school. Sergio graduated from De La Salle University–College of Saint Benilde in 2000 with a degree in AB Human Resources Management.

Discography

With Rivermaya

*'' Tuloy ang Ligaya'' (2001) *'' Between the Stars and Waves'' (2003) * '' You'll Be Safe Here'' (EP) (2005) *'' Isang Ugat, Isang Dugo'' (2006) *'' Bagong Liwanag'' (EP) (2007) *''

Buhay The buhay ( uk, бугай) (also known as a bugai, buhai, berebenytsia, bika, buga, bochka) is a musical instrument that is used in Ukraine and is classified as a friction drum. ''Buhay'' is the Ukrainian word for great bittern (Botaurus st ...

'' (2008) *'' Closest Thing to Heaven'' (2009) *''

'' (2017) — as Producer

With Daydream Cycle

*''Daydream Cycle'' (2001) *''You're Still Young At Heart'' (2003) *''Underwater Kite'' (2005)

With Peso Movement

*''The Gentle Sound of Chaos'' (2014)

As Japsuki

*''Monologue Whispers'' (2011) *''Pinoy Pop'' (2015) *''Stereo Mood Swings'' (2017)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sergio, Japs 1979 births Living people De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde alumni 21st-century Filipino male singers People from Parañaque Musicians from Metro Manila Rivermaya members