Jaya's joys

MANILA, Philippines - Motherhood and music make Jaya’s world go ‘round. The challenge each day is to strike a balance between the two. So far, the experience is so good.

“It’s wonderful being a mom,” says Jaya who gave birth to another child Dylan a few months ago. “It means commitment. It’s a joy to see your kids growing up, getting bigger and laughing. I have found a sense of purpose and focus since I became a mother. It has made me a more peace-loving person. Motherhood has also taught me to love myself. My purpose now is to become a good mother.”

Jaya’s growth as a mother runs parallel to her progress as an artist.

“I can’t say which one is my No. 1 priority,” replies Jaya when asked if family should come first before career or vice versa. “They are both important to me.”

After all, there’s no point in living and perhaps singing if one has no family to go home to and nurture.

Jaya’s rich experiences make her a complete woman who knows the different emotions that come with love and life. This is true since Jaya married twice and eventually found the one for her. 

Jaya will reminisce the bliss and pain of love in Real Love Stories, follow-up to Gold-certified Cool Change.

“I wanted to sing a couple of songs I could relate to my life,” shares Jaya on how the 14-track album came about. “Why are there no originals? Because we just wanted to follow up Cool Change.”

Although there are no new compositions, Real Love Stories is a must-hear. Jaya will treat the listener to her clear, solid voice with that signature soulful rendition. Her big voice is huge enough to hit not just the high notes but the heart of every song. There’s so much sincerity in the singing.

Take a roller-coaster ride of emotions in After All, All of My Life, Anyone Can See, Breathe Again, Finding Out The Hard Way, Hiding Inside Myself, I Just Can’t Let Go and I Will Survive.

Other tracks are I Won’t Last A Day Without You, Maybe This Time, Old Friend, Real Love, Save The Best For Last and You On My Mind.

As for her TV career, Jaya and Allan K will host GMA 7’s Bandaoke! Rock N’ Roll To Millions. The show which maintains the videoke features of All Star K premieres Oct. 25 after Mel & Joey. The Banda-oke! Band composed of Frencheska Farr, Geoff Taylor and Jay Perillo is also part of the musical game show.  

During the album launch at Hard Rock Café, Jaya gave everyone a sample of the tracks in Real Love Stories and stories behind it.

Real Love was one ditty she used to hear over Crossover. When she heard it the first time, she fell in love with it. Since the song was new to her, Jaya asked a friend to find the song’s lyrics on the Net.

Paul Williams’ I Won’t Last A Day Without You, on the other hand, is Jaya’s song for her children. They are her inspiration to live.

Jaya says she recorded the album when she was six months pregnant. But she was able to pull it through considering that expectant moms have difficulty breathing and singing. Jaya never told her doctor about it because the latter might advise her to take more medicines or put the album on hold. 

She also sang Diana Ross’ All of My Life, Kenny Rankin’s Hiding Inside Myself and Finding Out the Hard Way.

Real Love Stories released under GMA Records is indeed a labor of love.