Yael Yuzon Biography: Wife, Height, Age, Parents, Net Worth, Children, Songs, Band

Biography

Ysmael “Yael” Yrastorza Yuzon (born November 22, 1983, in Manila, Philippines) is a Filipino musician best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the alternative rock band Sponge Cola, formed in 1998.

With hits like “Jeepney” and “Tambay,” which earned a Diamond Record Award, Yuzon has been a prominent figure in the Filipino music scene. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Ateneo de Manila University.

In 2014, he married singer-actress Karylle. Yuzon is also recognized for his acting and composing, having contributed to projects such as Mystified (2019).

Filipino musician
Yael Yuzon
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Ysmael Yrastorza Yuzon
Stage Name:	Yael Yuzon
Born:	22 November 1983 (age 41 years old)
Place of Birth:	City Of Manila, Philippines
Nationality:	Filipino
Education:	Ateneo High School, Ateneo de Manila University
Height:	1.68 m
Parents:	Johnny Yuzon, Elsa Yuzon
Siblings:	Yan Yuzon, Ysabel Yuzon, Yanni Yuzon
Spouse:	Karylle (m. 2014)
Girlfriend • Partner:	Nixee Gije (rum.)
Children:	N/A
Occupation:	Musician • TV Personality
Net Worth:	$1 million-$5 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Ysmael “Yael” Yrastorza Yuzon was born on November 22, 1983, in Manila, Philippines. His ethnicity is multiracial, with Filipino and Basque ancestry, as his grandfather immigrated from Gipuzkoa, Spain. Yael is reportedly Roman Catholic by religion.

He is the son of Elsa Yuzon, a retired flight attendant, and Johnny Yuzon, a retired accountant. Yael has three siblings: an older brother, Yan Yuzon, a musician with the bands Pupil and Archipelago; another brother named, Yanni Yuzon; and a younger sister, Ysabel Yuzon. He is also a first cousin of Filipino singer-actress Donna Cruz.

Yael attended Ateneo High School, where he met bandmate Gosh Dilay through the theatre club Teatro Baguntao in 1998. He later graduated from Ateneo de Manila University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. During high school, Yael was the frontman of a rock band called White Chapel, which laid the groundwork for his musical career.

Career

Yael Yuzon is widely recognized as the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the iconic Filipino alternative rock band Sponge Cola. The group was originally formed in 1998, while Yuzon was still in high school at Ateneo de Manila University, and it quickly rose to fame after winning a major Battle of the Bands competition.

Initially named “Sponge,” the band later rebranded as Sponge Cola, releasing their debut EP in 2003 and their breakthrough full-length album Palabas in 2004, which featured hit singles like “KLSP” and “Jeepney.”

Sponge Cola’s success continued with a string of hit albums, including Transit (2006), Sponge Cola (2008), and the Tambay EP (2011). The track “Tambay” earned the band a Diamond Record Award, with over 150,000 units sold, marking a major milestone in OPM (Original Pilipino Music) history.

Yuzon’s emotive songwriting and energetic vocal delivery have been instrumental in defining the band’s signature sound, with fan-favorite tracks like “Tuliro,” “Bitiw,” and “Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay” cementing their legacy.

Beyond his music career, Yael Yuzon has also explored other creative fields. He appeared in the 2019 fantasy film Mystified and contributed to its soundtrack as a composer.

In 2016, he served as a coach on The Voice Kids Philippines (Season 3), mentoring young aspiring artists. He also made cameo appearances in hit TV series such as Ang Probinsyano (2017), further expanding his presence in Philippine entertainment.

In addition to music and television, Yuzon has been active in theater, brand endorsements, and public appearances, using his influence and talent to connect with fans across generations.

Social Media

• Instagram: Yael Yrastorza Yuzon (@yaelyraz)
• Wikipedia: Yael Yuzon
• Facebook: Yael Yuzon
• Twitter: Yael Yrastorza Yuzon (@yaelyraz) / X

Personal Life

Yael Yuzon, born on November 22, 1983, is 41 years old. He is married to Karylle (Ana Karylle Padilla Tatlonghari), a Filipino singer-actress and TV host.

They wed on March 21, 2014, in a private ceremony at the San Antonio de Padua Church in Silang, Cavite. Yael Yuzon and Karylle do not have children.

Yael Yuzon’s height is approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall (1.68 meters). Before marrying Karylle, he was rumoured to have dated Nixee Gije, the former drummer of the band Kamikazee, during the early 2000s.

However, no other confirmed relationships have been publicly documented prior to his relationship with Karylle, which began around 2010 after they collaborated on musical projects and grew closer through shared interests in the entertainment industry.

Net Worth

Yael Yuzon‘s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million, primarily earned through his successful career as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the Filipino rock band Sponge Cola.

Additional income sources include acting, composing for projects like Mystified (2019), and endorsements.

Discography

Music – Sponge Cola (Lead Vocalist, Guitarist, Songwriter)  

• EPs:
  • Sponge Cola EP (2003) – Includes “Saturn,” “Cigarette,” “Jeepney,” “Lunes,” “A Tear”  
  • Tambay EP (2011) – Includes “Tambay” (Diamond Record Award)  
  • District EP (2012)  
  • Sinag-Tala (2016)
• Studio Albums:
  • Palabas (2004) – Includes “Jeepney,” “KLSP,” “Neon”  
  • Transit (2006) – Includes “Nakapagtataka,” “Bitiw,” “Tuliro”  
  • Sponge Cola (2008) – Includes “Puso,” “Pasubali”  
  • Araw Oras Tagpuan (2011) – Includes “Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay,” “Regal”  
  • Ultrablessed (2014) – Includes “Anting-Anting” (feat. Gloc-9 & Denise Barbacena)  
  • Sea of Lights (2018) – Includes a mix of upbeat and introspective tracks
• Notable Singles/Collaborations:
  • “Crazy for You” (Madonna cover, underground internet hit, early 2000s)  
  • “Leni Laban!” (2016, with Jonathan Manalo, Juan Karlos, Janine Berdin, Moira Dela Torre) – Political anthem supporting Leni Robredo’s vice-presidential campaign  
  • “Payo” (with Clien and Allmo$t) – Pop-rock track about relationship struggles  
  • “Taumbayan to the Rescue” (2020, with Brenan Espartinez and Karylle) – Anthem celebrating Filipino bayanihan spirit  
  • “Ani ng Sining, Bayang Malikhain” (2024, National Arts Month Festival Song, feat. Centro Escolar University Singers-Manila)  
  • “Pilipinas, Tara Na!,” “Shake It Off,” “Kung Wala Na Nga”
• Solo Project:
  • Yelabration (2019) – Solo album showcasing musical diversity, from pop-rock to ballads

Acting  

• Mystified (2019) – Feature film role  
• Sosy Problems (2012) – Supporting role  
• B&B: The Story of the Battle of Brody & Brandy (2021) – Supporting role  
• Ang Probinsyano (2017) – Guest appearance on the TV series

Composing  

• Mystified (2019) – Contributed to the film’s soundtrack as a composer  
• Original compositions for Sponge Cola, including co-writing “Tambay” with Gosh Dilay (Diamond Record Award)  
• Contributions to collaborative tracks like “Leni Laban!” and “Taumbayan to the Rescue”

Other Contributions  

• Coach on The Voice Kids Philippines (Season 3, 2016)  
• Theater performances during high school with Ateneo’s Teatro Baguntao, influencing his early creative development