Why Jaya stays

MANILA, Philippines - It may sound absurd but with the mushrooming of young, talented artists in the local music scene today, the more established ones seem to stay on the side lines. But Jaya is never bothered by it. She even pointed out that foreign acts including, of course, K-Pop, are obviously getting a considerable share of audience nowadays. Their presence, according to her, is not the end of everything.

“I admit I did experience a lull in my singing career here but people don’t know that I’ve been going abroad for shows,” said Jaya at the presscon for her silver anniversary concert titled Memories…25 Years on Nov. 10 at the Grand Ballroom of Solaire Resort and Casino. “I am not choosy with work and I will take anything that comes as a blessing like if there’s an offer for a casino show, then I’ll do it because where can you get that kind of budget? Not everyone gets an offer so if you have the talent and you’re okay with it, then accept it.”

It was in 1996 when Jaya’s name first became popular for her rendition of soul ditties. Her winning the 1996 Metropop Song Festival via Danny Tan and Edith Gallardo’s Sometimes You Just Know propelled her to fame. Yet after her stint in the Metropop, Jaya still didn’t feel that bigger things would come her way.

“It’s like, ‘Oh, I already have lots of work; may pera na ko,’ kasi before I had no outfit to wear nanghiram lang ako kay Tita Pilita (Corrales) for the Metropop. I had no hairdresser and makeup artist, too.”

And when her songs became hits, Jaya felt a bit anxious, especially when she received numerous awards. “It became heavy. I asked myself what if this doesn’t happen anymore? But at the end of the day sabi ko, if this is the only time I ever get this job, thank you because not everybody gets this. Then let this be my year and if it doesn’t happen again then I’m still okay with it.”

Jaya also won Best Interpreter at the Asia Song Festival in Hong Kong in 1997 for her rendition of You Lift Me Up that also bagged the Best Song award.

These days, singing engagements, Jaya shared, come unexpectedly.

It was only recently when she received an offer to do a show in the US. “It only means that people are still looking for you. You should be thankful kasi sa haba ng panahon, paulit-ulit lang din ang artistang nakikita nila. The people will, no matter what, look for the ones they haven’t heard or seen in a long time so there’s still chance for other artists like me to do a show. It’s a nice feeling.”

Perhaps, an attitude as positive as Jaya’s is the key to staying long in an industry where the next big thing comes as fast as the ticking of the clock.

“I may sound corny but I do believe that if God wants you to be in a position, no one can take your place no matter what.

“And as long as you have the talent; your voice is still there at marunong kang makisama, you have respect for other people, you’ll definitely stay long.”

But this is not to say that the Queen of Soul no longer exerts an effort to take care of her voice. She does not smoke and refrains from drinking alcohol. She avoids fatty food after a laparoscopic gallbladder surgery a few days ago due to a stone that lodged her bile duct. However, she is optimistic that she will soon fully recover and be ready for an all-out performance in her silver anniversary concert.

“You will see a different me (in the show),” she assured. “I’ll definitely talk because sometimes I get so nervous during a concert that I hardly speak to the audience. Now I’ve gained confidence somehow to really talk to people. Maybe because I’m older and I now have children so I can relate more.”