Jombriel dominated the fifth annual Premios REM de Sayce in Guayaquil, winning four major awards including composer and song of the year. The event at Sanchez Aguilar Theatre celebrated Ecuador's top music talents based on streaming and radio data. Performances highlighted the country's vibrant music scene.
Glitz filled Guayaquil’s Sanchez Aguilar Theatre on Wednesday night for the fifth Premios REM de Sayce, or REM Awards, presented by the Society of Authors and Composers of Ecuador (SAYCE). Jombriel, whose real name is Jonathan Cedeño, emerged as the big winner with four trophies: composer of the year, song of the year for “Vitamina” with DFZM and Jotta, most-streamed male artist on digital platforms, and most-played male artist on radio. The track “Vitamina” also appeared on Barack Obama’s Favorite Music of 2025 list, as noted by Billboard. Jombriel, a breakout star from Esmeraldas and Billboard’s Latin Artists to Watch in 2026, shared a heartfelt acceptance speech. “I am grateful to God, my team, and my family,” he said. “I dedicate this to my son because I became a father in December. Cheers to being single!” Other winners included Dayanara for most-streamed and most-played female artist, Andreína Bravo as audience favorite, and Don Medardo y Sus Players for group/duo trajectory in popular genre. Performers such as Dayanara, Andreina Bravo, Jossimar, and Don Medardo y Sus Players took the stage. SAYCE bases nominees and winners on Ecuadorian charts from BMAT, tracking streams, radio, and TV plays. Juan Fernando Velasco, SAYCE president and Latin Grammy-nominated artist, called the awards Ecuador’s most prestigious. “These are Ecuador’s most-listened-to artists in the country,” he told Billboard. “These awards provide not only recognition but also validation and exposure.”
