Sitti is ready for new things

Philippine Bossa Nova Queen Sitti did not let her 10th anniversary in show business go by without funfare. Last Sept. 16, Sitti performed in Ang Aking Awitin at the Music Museum with a predominantly OPM repertoire and featuring guest performers Rico Blanco, Jett Pangan, Duncan Ramos, DJ Dense Modesto and Whiplash Dancers.

In Ang Aking Awitin, Sitti’ sang songs outside the bossa nova genre. Sitti has been exposed to different musical styles having performed regularly and for a long time in several bars and hotels in the country. This was before she hit it big with her debut album, Café Bossa. 

It was her audience that prodded her to sing bossa nova ala Astrud Gilberto and Gal Costa.

“On my third year as a lounge singer, people would comment that my voice would be best suited to this genre. It was something that was not forced on me, it was something I fell in love with. There is something about singing it that soothes and subdues me, like it quiets my inner thoughts. At the same time it allows me to play around, gives me freedom on how to approach every song,” she said.

But being the intelligent artist that she is, Sitti knows when to open herself to new things — thus, her decision to record and perform songs that sound different from what many expect to hear from her. As if to drive home the point that it really is “time for a cool change” (as the song goes), the promotional single of Sitti’s latest album, Wag Mo Na Munang Sabihin, is a ballad written by rocker Ebe Dancel.

Sitti has slowly been reinventing herself through the years. Like many local singers, she has also tried her hand on acting and hosting via Pinoy Dream Academy, Pinoy Big Brother and Ysabella.

More, she is currently a mainstay on ASAP Rocks and is part of the group Asap Sessionistas, that has already toured outside the country many times over. Sitti has also acted in Atlantis Production’s Spring Awakening.

Ang Aking Awitin was directed by Calvin Neria with Ria Villena-Osorio as musical director.

 Postscript: On Aug. 19, Sitti was invited to perform in a Southern City by Mr. Producer/singer. As per her contract, Sitti was to be paid 50 percent down payment upon signing of the agreement (which she got) and 50 percent upon arrival in the city. It was the first time that Sitti was dealing with Mr. Producer. Jonathan Valdez, Sitti’s road manager was a bit wary about the deal since he had been hearing unsavory stories about Mr. Producer. But Sitti figured he deserved the benefit of the doubt. So she flew to the Southern city ready to perform and even joined a motorcade to promote the concert. At 5 p.m. of Aug. 19, Sitti was already at the venue for the rehearsals. To her shock and dismay just before the concert started, Mr. Producer went on stage and announced that Sitti was not performing as she was not feeling well. It appeared like a badly written comedy act because by then Sitti was already backstage. Following her instinct, she decided to go on stage before the surprised crowd and declared politely but fiercely that she had been in the venue since 5pm and that her management office did not want her to perform because Mr. Producer did not fulfill the contract. But despite the contractual violation by Mr. Producer, Sitti decided to sing two songs out of respect for people who bought tickets to see her perform. People clamored for more and Sitti obliged with two more songs. According to Jonathan, immediately after the encore numbers, Mr. Producer stormed the stage and accused Sitti of stealing the show. The temerity of Mr. Producer to muddle the story forced Sitti to defend herself. She fought back on “”mic” and on stage with courage and the truth on her side. She refuted the senseless derogatory claims of Mr. Producer point by point. She stood her ground bravely and fought like the great Urduja.

Mr. Producer is now in jail for multiple estafa.