What’s up, Dessa?

She has rightfully earned the title, Front-Act Queen. In fact, Dessa’s solo 1993 concerts of the same title at the Music Hall were a resounding success. The same can be said of her 1999 solo concert at the Music Museum dubbed Divette, tickets for which were sold out a week before actual show date.

From Front-Act Queen, Dessa could have evolved to become the concert scene’s next Sold-Out Queen. But then again, this immensely gifted girl soon fell in love and became a mom (and later a single mom).

Indeed, her constant (and continuing) struggles are stuff melodramatic soap operas are made of. Still, Dessa has remained consistently cheerful and confident about the future. "In spite of the ups and downs," she confided to us recently, "I never gave up. My handlers, my friends, and loved ones were always there behind me, giving me 100 percent support. They never allowed me to lose hope."

An original Backroom baby, she fondly calls Ariel Rivera and Calvin Millado her kuyas, her bothers, who never tire in giving her pieces of advice. "I can only trust a few people in the business and they are among the few friends I can really depend on," she affirms.

We believe, however, that her rather tumultuous personal life has further enriched her already richly-textured voice. World-famous singer Patti Austin herself heaped praises on Dessa when the pint-sized power belter performed as the front act in the former’s Manila concert in 1991. "I should be the one singing front act for Dessa," Patti was overheard openly admiring the Filipina singer.

Megastar Sharon Cuneta wholeheartedly concurs with Patti. Dessa has always been a favorite guest, even back in the days of TSCS (or The Sharon Cuneta Show). So when Dessa was invited to join the Wish Upon a Mega (celebrity edition) episode of Shawie’s ABS-CBN 2 gabfest Sharon, the Front-Act Queen was allowed to take centerstage, "where she truthfully belongs."

Sharon and her staff (led by musical director Mel Villena) even gifted Dessa with her own show-stopping "arrangement" of the standard, For Once in My Life. "I was touched by the gift," Dessa recalls. "I just love that song."

She also belted out a haunting rendition of Over the Rainbow, another favorite destined to become a Dessa signature song, no doubt.

She is thankful for the gift of the new arrangement (of For Once in My Life) because she has always been diligent in accumulating a treasure trove of "musical arrangements" throughout her 15 years in the biz. "I’ve collected a few good ones," she reports. "Through the years, I’ve been able to gather a lot of songs, even minus one tapes."

That’s precisely a tip she would like to share to starry-eyed showbiz beginners out there. Build up your repertoire, she avows. "Have at least 20 or so songs in your list. So that you’ll be able to stage a full show if needed."

At the drop of a hat, Dessa can mount a full concert because she has a solid collection of materials to back her up. She can dish out a diverse selection (from Whitney Houston ballads to Aretha Franklin classics), anytime, anywhere, at a moment’s notice. (To digress a bit: Dessa counts Aretha Franklin and Patti Austin as her musical idols – looking up to them not just as warblers, but also as women of strength and substance.)

Without a doubt, everyone agrees Dessa is one artist who deserves to headline her own concert.

"I am very grateful I don’t run out of projects," she pipes in. Motherhood notwithstanding, "I never really disappeared from the scene." She, in fact, is as busy as the proverbial bee, swamped with a slew of corporate shows. She is also very much in-demand for mall shows and her own series of special concerts. She is also considering venturing into acting, guesting in sitcoms and harnessing her natural comedic flair.

For all these blessings, Dessa is very much appreciative.

"I still have a lot to learn," she sheepishly says. "I want to master so many things. For example, I also want to be good at playing a musical instrument, like the guitar and piano. I know how to play, but oido lang. I really want to take formal lessons in guitar- and piano-playing." Spoken like a dedicated musician.

If ever, she hopes a new CD would offer a distinct Dessa sound. "My music has matured," she attests. "Even in my shows, I prefer to sing old songs, classics like Over the Rainbow and For Once in My Life. I’d like my new album to feature the types of songs Natalie Cole did so well in her Unforgettable CD."

Dessa may be on to something because standards are the rage in the pop scene, with the success of Michael Bublé, Norah Jones, Rod Stewart, and company. Truth to tell, even Dessa’s fellow diminutive diva, Cyndi Lauper, is on the comeback trail with her own CD of classics called At Last.

From the looks of it, Dessa could very well pull a Cyndi. Needless to say, Dessa has the precious set of pipes and potent stage presence to tackle the classics with sass and style.

After all, the moment she first unleashed her vibrant voice on the unwitting audience (including me) at Pulse disco 15 years ago, it became very much evident to us that this girl Dessa (or Desty in real life) was destined to be a diva.