Raffi Quijano: Blends bossa and public service

In her heart thrives that very dream of becoming a singing sensation, but she got no idea that it would be through bossa nova. The lovely and talented Sugbuana Rafonzel "Raffi" Quijano is making waves lately with her "Manila Blend" album, wherein songs are done the bossa nova way.

Raffi is a public servant in Barangay Day-as, Cebu City. Despite controversies, Raffi said she has been serving her constituents "with love and dedication in the hope to inspire the youth live a life in public service to be of greater purpose."

Before she made a name in the music industry, Raffi said that when it comes to singing, talent abounds in their family. At a young age, she was already noticed as musically inclined. So too were her siblings who learned to sing and play various musical instruments at an early age.

According to her, she started singing when she was only three years old and has continued to do so in special shows all over the country.

Because of her talent, Viva South, an affiliate company of Viva Records, gave her a break and launched her to bossa nova stardom via the album entitled "Manila Blend" which is already available nationwide.

Manila Blend is produced by Alwyn Cruz and arranged by Victor Oria. The album has 14 songs including its carrier track "Friend of Mine" composed by Odette Quesada.

Norah Jones and Laura Pausini are two of Raffi's major influences. Jones won eight Grammy awards for her debut album "Come Away with Me", a contemporary pop album tinged with sensual and plaintive soul, folk, and country vibes that sold twenty million copies worldwide.

Meanwhile, Pausini, an Italian pop singer famous in some European countries like Italy and Spain, and also in Latin America is another favorite for her soulful voice and romantic ballads/love songs.

She added she is happy to note that what she has learned by listening to these two ladies has already paved way for the realization of her big dreams. Through the bossa mood, she was able to travel the road to success with so much ease.

When asked about Manila bossa artist Sitti Navarro, she instantly replied that being pitted against Sitti is tough. She said she felt that people in Manila didn't expect that a Sugbuana like her would come out in the limelight under the bossa nova genre.

"Actually, grabe gyud ang competition dinhi sa Manila and there was a negative report pa na migawas regarding sa ako-a, pero ok ra man kay kabalo na ka basta showbiz," Raffi expressed during the phone interview.

According to her, she is blessed and thankful because Viva Records has noticed her talent and has given her the chance to prove to Filipinos that she is worthy of being there on the pedestal too. "Thankful kaayo ko nga gikuha ko nila isip usa sa mga talents nila ug misalig gyud sila sa akong abilidad sa pagkanta," she said.

As we moved on with our conversation, Raffi disclosed that she immediately fell head over heels with the song "Ikaw Lang" when the project was offered to her. The song was popularized by another Sugbuanon, Chad Borja. She said that it made her cry the moment she started recording the song.

"Tanan kanta sa akong album puros nindot. Maganahan gyud mo. But honestly, nakahilak gyud ko sa song nga gipasikat ni Chad. Pinaka-feel gyud nako," she revealed.

Further, Raffi stressed that her supportive kababayans and fans are significant in her success. "Sa pagkatinuod lang mauwaw pa ko motawag nila og "fans", pero dako ang akong pasalamat sa akong mga supporters nga na-a lang gihapon permi, padayon nga misuporta nako. Salamat gyud kaayo og dako sa inyong tanan, ilabi na gyud sa akong mga kababayan nga mga Sugbuanon," Raffi said.

Aside from singing, Raffi is also very much involved with civic-oriented activities. She is the chairman of the Samahang Kabataan of Barangay Day-as and the Vice President of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of Cebu City. She is also the founder of the Tabang Bata Organization or TABO that helps children in conflict with the law (CICL) get a fresh start.

"Sa December 23 manghatag mi og Christmas gifts sa mga tawo sa among barangay inubanan sa akong mga kauban sa SK ug pagkagabii usab niana Christmas party sa SKF dinhi sa siyudad sa Sugbo, so medyo busy gyud ta gamay inig abot nako sa Cebu kay daghan man og buluhaton sa barangay," she said in closing the interview.