An ode to friendship & beautiful music

They are three extraordinary women whose differences are immense. Yet, they are similar in a lot of ways. One is a multi-platinum recording artist rightfully canonized as the "Phenomenal Diva" of the local recording industry. But behind the glitter of the music industry is a fulfilled homemaker.

The other one is a sensual dramatic actress with numerous trophies from prestigious award-giving bodies. She has metamorphosed from a sex goddess to a protective lioness who flies to the defense of her younger sibling.

The third lady is a top comedienne-singer who recently embraced the Christian faith and left her sinful past behind for a life of matrimonial bliss.

All three are the best of friends.

In show business, it is said that friendship is a rare commodity that often remains a concept rather than a tangible reality. People in the industry yearn for it but only very few are lucky to find it.

Jessa Zaragosa, Ara Mina, and Marissa Sanchez are women who found sincere and genuine sisterhood in show business.

However, like any friendship, theirs is a product of many years of hard work. They were once put to the test in the midst of intrigues and controversies.

Jessa and Ara were members of That’s Entertainment and struggling artists in the early ’90s. They did not click as friends right away because of their romantic affairs. Jessa had a relationship with Keempee de Leon. When the romance ended, Keempee pursued then 16-year-old Ara. Ara is also the ex-girlfriend of Dingdong Avanzado, now Jessa’s husband.

"Ara was really friendly when I first met her. But I felt uncomfortable in her presence because I knew I preceded her in her relationship with Keempee. I also knew that she was Dingdong’s former girlfriend," explains Jessa. "Kaya lang talagang mabait si Ara. She has no inhibitions, at totoong tao." Jessa even reveals that it was Ara who came up with a way to patch things up between her (Jessa) and Rufa Mae Quinto, also Dingdong’s ex-girlfriend.

It will be noted that Ara is very vocal about her disapproval of Keempee courting her 16-year-old sister.

"It doesn’t matter at all that Keempee is my ex. The issue here is that my sister is a minor. I went through a lot with Keempee and although na given na mabait siya, ayaw ko pa ring pagdaanan ng kapatid ko ang mga naranasan ko kay Keempee. I know him and he says that he’s changed. If that’s true and he really loves my sister, he will wait until Christine is 18 and he won’t have a girlfriend. Then and only then will I be convinced that he’s serious with my sister. Then and only then will I feel at peace," explains Ara.

Jessa and Marissa’s support to Ara remains steadfast and unwavering in the midst of Ara’s problems.

Marissa, who became very close to Ara because they worked together on GMA 7’s Mulawin, is consistent in giving Ara comedic relief and spiritual advice.

"I’m praying for Ara and Christine. Minsan pag-high blood na high blood si Ara nagpapatawa na lang ako. At least, she forgets her problem, even for a moment," relates Marissa.

"It’s hard to meddle because we really don’t know if Keempee has indeed changed or not. I had my share of heartaches with Keempee but I can only speak for myself. Basta nandito lang ako for Ara anytime, I’m ready to listen to her and support her. She was always there for me. Now it’s my turn to be here for her. I’m praying na sana nga Keempee is serious in courting Christine," adds Jessa.

Marissa breaks the ice by saying that among the three of them she is the only one Keempee didn’t court. "I feel out of place… ha ha ha. Ara says Keempee should wait for Christine to turn 18. My advice is for him to court me first while he is waiting," jokes Marissa, who is also happily married to a non-showbiz guy.

Marissa is known for her comedic wit and singing prowess. And although she is not as sexy as Ara and Jessa, Marissa has always been self-confident. In fact, she even did the shopping for Jessa’s first-born Jayda, when the then new mother felt she was too big after giving birth.

"Marissa goes all-out in supporting a friend. She really listens when Ara or I have a problem. At pag nagsumbong kami diyan inaaway talaga niya ang kaaway namin," says Jessa.

Jessa, Ara, and Marissa’s friendship is founded on acceptance of each other’s strengths and weaknesses. "We know each other inside out," says Ara.

Their familiarity with each other is probably the reason why they are as good together onstage as they are offstage. The girls displayed impeccable stage rapport in their recent summer concert series, Soul Sisters Act.

As response to public clamor for an encore, the sisters are back to again pay homage to sweet soul music in Soul Sisters: Nxt Lvl.

A spin-off of Golden Earth Production’s Soul Sisters Act, Soul Sisters: Nxt Lvl is conceptualized by Dingdong Avanzado. The show centers on Jessa, Ara, and Marissa as friends and their distinct artistry and musicality. Under the musical direction of Jimmy Antiporda, the event will feature an eclectic line-up of songs – soul classics, rhythm and blues, standards, and well-loved gay party anthems. The show fuses beautiful music with the humor of the girls’ repartee onstage.

It’s quite a different show as fans and music enthusiasts can look forward to Jessa’s riveting rendition of Shirley Bassey’s greatest hits, Ara’s surprisingly exhilarating take on Evanescence’s smash hit My Immortal, and Marissa’s cover version of Julia Fordham’s Love Moves in Mysterious Ways. They will also perform several production numbers that will surely "delight party animals and our gay fans" as Jessa puts it.

"The show is a profession of Jessa, Ara, and Marissa’s friendship. Everything is natural and nerve-wrackingly funny. It doesn’t promise any profound solution to our current problems but it will surely take the tension away from the minds of Filipinos even for just a few hours. Entertainment could just be what we all need right now," ends Dingdong.

(Soul Sisters: Nxt Lvl happens at the Music Museum on July 29 and 30.)