Sitti sings from the heart

I love Sitti. She is a remarkably brilliant artist and performer who always pours her heart and soul into every note she sings. She weaves beautiful melodies with passion and pizzazz. I was floored by her velvety voice and sensuous performance the first time I heard her sing. Until now, her rendition of Girl from Ipanema is one of the best versions I have ever heard. Sitti has attracted a loyal fan base throughout the years and I take pride to be part of it.

Sitti is fabulous in all she is and in all she does. Her joy radiates from within. Sitti enjoys being a loving wife to Joey (Ramirez) and doting mom to Issiah Dañelle, who is fondly called Lilibubs. As a first-time mom, Sitti enjoys celebrating the important milestones in her daughter’s life. “I thank Joey for being patient with me. I know he will always be around for me. I’m so grateful that he is my husband. Lilibubs is an answered prayer for us. Being with my daughter as she experiences life every day is the most exciting for us. I would like to thank my daughter for allowing me to experience how it is to have life within me. Life is amazing!”   

While Sitti is caught in what she describes as “the happy daze of new mommyhood” on her previous Instagram bio, she also excitedly embarks on her musical adventures as an artist.   

Sitti is in high spirits these days. She has been invited to represent the Philippines in the Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival (KWJF) in Malaysia. The jazz festival will be held on Sept. 27 and 28 at the Waterfront Walkway of Grand Margherita Hotel. (She is scheduled to perform on Sept. 28.) “It has always been a dream of mine to perform in international jazz festivals if only to learn from other artists,” she shared. “I just truly want to make my country proud. My goal is to express and share music as I live and understand it.”

This is her second time to be invited to a global event — the first was in Tokyo.

Throughout the years, jazz has captivated the imagination of listeners throughout the world. The music genre traces its origin in the African-American communities of New Orleans in the United States. Various styles have been developed as the popularity of jazz spreads globally. Jazz will never be complete without mentioning the names of Al Jarreau, Jon Hendricks, Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Nat “King” Cole, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, who are among the best jazz singers of all time.  

Sitti is aware that jazz is significantly huge in Malaysia. “I am excited to learn come festival day how Malaysians embrace jazz.” She wants to promote the Philippines by adding Filipino songs like her originals Para sa Akin and Ligaya in her repertoire and sharing what it is to be a Filipino.

Kuching is the capital and most crowded city in the state of Sarawak, being one of its main tourist spots in Sarawak. Kuching is located along the Sarawak River which serves as the splendid background of the Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival. Sitti said, “Kuching is a beautiful place. Together with jazz, KWJF will make for an inspired jazz festival.” 

Although Sitti has been in the music industry for more than a decade, she takes everything as if it is her first time. “When you love and enjoy what you do, there will always be the motivation to spend time on it and nurture that relationship. Plus, music, singing is a gift I will cherish forever. God has been so good to me with this gift. It is my duty to share and make the most of it.”

Sitti continues to explore her talents as a singer, songwriter, and blogger. Amidst all the hats she wears, Sitti reveals her dream performance. “To perform with nary a frazzled nerve, unconcerned about anything but the music and just giving it my all. Most of the time I am too self-conscious when I perform. I would really like to fly and leave myself and just be the music, and not me as a human being.”

On a lighter note, if Sitti were to make a playlist of five songs about her life, that would be The Flight (by Perri), Corcovado (by Jobim), Soft Melody (by John Kaisan Neptune), Tristeza (by Astrud Gilberto), and her song Never Be Far.

Sitti would like to perform in front of the Dalai Lama or Pope Francis if given the chance. “I would like to see the kindness in their eyes and be inspired by their aura. I know when I sing for them, although I will most likely be a bundle of nerves, I will be my most honest self.”

When asked about the best advice she has received that she wants to share with others, “always sing from the heart,” Sitti replied.

Other world-class performers joining the Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival this year are from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, UK and USA.

Tickets are now on sale at www.kuchingwaterfrontjazz.com.