Jhayzon Paredes: Rocker Entrepreneur
Filipino Journal, April 5-20 ,2017
Anong Masasabi mo? Vol.31,Number 07
Levy Abad

Many of those who are  familiar with the rock and roll scene of Winnipeg's Filipino community most likely know Jason "Jhayzon" Paredes as a rakista and founder of three bands in the 90s, namely: Palitaw (1994-2004), FOURSIGHT (2004-2011) and Fhamathou (2012-2016). Also a founding member of Filipino Association of Musicians and Other Unknown Artists (FAMOUS), Paredes conceptualized the website of  Pinoy Musikeros of Winnipeg - an artists' webpage where musicians can show their prowess and  initiated 204 Live Music" on Facebook as a venue for artists in the community to post their live performances. 

Recently, Paredes launched a music video of his song "Iisa Lamang". He will be releasing also  his EP titled Nasaan Ka Man, (Wherever you are) featuring songs like "Asahan,"  "Bakit Pa?," "Nasaan Ka Man," "Droga," "Iisa lamang," 'Di Nakakatuwa," "Pagbabago" and "Sinayang." These materials can be found online at www.jaizendesign.com.

Jason the Entrepreneur. There is more to Jason Paredes that some people do not know about. Not only a rakista singer-song writer, he is  also an entrepreneur. Paredes is one of the partners (the other one being James Haryett) and founders of JJ Cabinet Warehouse  (406 Pacific Avenue corner Ellen Street). According to Paredes,JJ  Cabinet Warehouse started  in 2011. On the first floor is their show room where quality cabinets are on display. In the basement, Paredes set-up his music studio where his musician friends hang out, unwind and jam. Despite  the success of their business, both Paredes and  Haryett are both down to earth. They prefer donning casual attire, nothing fancy or forced executive wannabe get-ups. Whenever I go there, Jason does not fail to say hi; none of those "deadma mode" assumed by the “hard to get”- snobbish type corporate bosses. Paredes and I would usually talk about writing songs, plans of producing an album, or organizing a concert to make the community happy.

JJ Cabinet Warehouse Touring the warehouse, I asked Paredes what led him to this business. He explained that he worked for the owner of the business for more than ten years as a web designer. Along the way,  he learned the different aspects of the trade until the owner, Morton Sparber, decided to gradually turn-over the running of the business to Haryett . Eventually, Paredes and Haryett, who, by the way, also plays guitar and likes siopao (steamed pork or beef bun), took over the business and repackaged it as JJ Cabinet Warehouse. Paredes said, business is doing good.  “We are getting good deals lately and producing, selling, and installing a lot of products.” One time, Paredes took me with him to deliver cabinets and over lunch, we discussed Rock and Roll and business.

Browsing through JJ Cabinet Warehouse’s web page, I found an article that best describes JJ Cabinet Warehouse products. JJ Cabinets Promotional material states that, “For many, the kitchen can still be the hub of the family. And it can be  beautiful when the cabinets are attractive and functional.”  As a homeowner myself, I can imagine having  JJ Cabinet's quality products in my kitchen.

Quality is of paramount importance in their business. Their construction features include first and foremost, three-quarter-inch plywood boxes, solid wood doors and drawers, which are also full extension and dovetail construction. Second, interior and exterior of entire cabinet and drawers are stained with the same colour as the cabinet doors. Then comes the choice of the three popular traditional colours; maple, cherry, cappuccino (with more colour options available).

Knowing Jason as a Rakista in the community, I am really amazed by Jason’s profile as a business owner and partner.  Furthermore, Haryett explained, “We priced one of our kitchens at about $2,900 and the same kitchen with the same specs from a larger home retailer was $12,000.  You may get  a kitchen from somewhere for close to the same price as ours, but you would be sacrificing a lot of extras and quality”.

"I really can't complain about life"' I asked  Rocker-cum- entrepreneur Paredes where he gets his energy and what keeps him going. He said, “I really can’t complain about life even if  I had experienced some hard times; for example, I was very young when I lost my sibling and my father.  Nowadays, if I have success in my chosen path in life, then I am happy to share that with my family and friends in the community.”  He added,  “In life, one has to be patient and persistent and just go on because everything that you sow in life will grow and bear fruit one day.”

(Levy Abad is a freelance writer and also a singer songwriter/recording artist and a member of Migrante Canada-Mb chapter and also a founding member/ program coordinator of Winnipeg Multicultural Human Rights Forum, Levy has released three albums , Canadian Experience Vol. 1 (iTunes), Never Give Up and Rhythms of Compassion CanEx 3. Levy is soon to release a his fourth album by fall titled "I Love Canada". You can reach Levy Abad through , lev67.abad@yahoo.ca or on Facebook.).