Good 2014 starter for Juris

It is the dream of every Filipino artist to reach an international audience although not all of them are given an opportunity to do so. Juris is one of the lucky ones. Her latest album has already been picked up for international release, which is a piece of good news to start her 2014.

The album was actually released late last year in Singapore. Titled Dreaming of You, the album recently topped the jazz chart of Singapore’s popular record bar label, HMV. It was co-produced by Star Records and well-known Singaporean recording company S2S. The 19-track album features her soothing renditions of well-loved ballads including Janet Jackson’s Again; Bryan Adams’ Everything I Do (I Do It For You); Olivia Newton John’s I Honestly Love You; Diana Ross’ Do You Know Where You’re Going To; Celine Dion’s I Love You Goodbye; Don’t Say Goodbye;  Say You Love Me; If Wishes Came True; If You And Me; Wishes; and carrier single Dreaming of You that was originally sung by the late Latin singer Selina. Completing the tracklist are Got To Believe In Magic, Langis at Tubig, Hanggang Wakas, Sa Isip Ko, Akala Mo, Di Ko Inakala, Dahil Sa ‘Yo and Sa ‘Yo Lamang.

It could have been released here in Manila first but Juris was then busy promoting her Christmas album locally. “I just wanted to wait na lang para at least we could put more songs — yung mga kantang galing sa teleseryes,” she explains.

At a recent press gathering, Juris was quizzed by reporters on how she feels about being referred to as the “soothing voice of Asia.” Some pointed out that she isn’t a newbie in the music business, and with all the awards and recognition she has received, Juris doesn’t really need a title to define who she is or to validate her accomplishments. Yes, sometimes it can be a source of pressure, but she has learned how to deal with it. Says Juris, “Yung title naman kasi, it’s created sometimes by the recording company. I think it works for them. I think it is part of promoting their artist. I don’t mind at all pero parang nakaka-pressure din. Kahit ano naman, ang importante may music ka na naririnig ng mga tao. What matters is matuwa ang mga tao.”

Juris started in the music industry in the early 2000s. Back then, she was part of the popular acoustic duo M.Y.M.P. which had several successful albums. When they broke up, Juris had to learn how to perform as a solo act which, she now says, was the biggest challenge she faced in her career. “If there’s one unforgettable moment in my career, siguro ‘yun na yung transition to going solo because it’s not something na naisip kong mangyari sa akin,” she says. “I was very comfortable na nasa stage ako na may kasama ako. There was a time na wala akong ganang kumanta kasi parang hinahanap ko na may kasama ako sa stage, but I realized after that na wala namang pinagbago because when I perform, most of the time, with a band pa rin. And then I have a lot of supporters.”

Soon, it will be time to celebrate her 10th anniversary in the industry. “Honestly, I haven’t thought about it (that I’m about to reach 10 years in the business),” says Juris. “If they (media) didn’t ask me, di ko maiisip na magsa-sampung taon na pala. Pero wala pa akong plano. Hopefully, we can celebrate it. Marami rin naman akong gustong makasama na mag-celebrate ng 10th year ko. Tingnan natin.”

As she enters that 10th year, she has only one wish. “Maybe for my career, I just want to continue. So whatever comes, whatever opportunities na mangyari, tatanggapin ko po yun. I’ll just pray for it kung tama yung desisyon kung mangyayari.”