MANILA, Philippines — “Babawi ako. (I’ll make up for it.)”
That was the promise Juris made in front of the invited members of the entertainment press, including The STAR, during a media gathering to drumbeat the repeat of her eponymous concert on Dec. 14 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila (RWM). Also with Juris are the Metro Music Orchestra and guest performer Ice Seguerra, who is also the stage director. Musical director is composer Francis Concio.
It was last June when the singer had her concert to celebrate her 10th anniversary in the music scene as a solo artist. But according to her, she wasn’t able to deliver an all-out performance due to an unexpected vocal problem.
It was the first time that something went wrong with her voice and Juris believed the pressure she was feeling that time greatly contributed to it “because I was so excited with my 10th anniversary that I worked so hard in the preparations and everyone was supporting me — my management, my family and friends — and we wanted everything perfect. So, imagine how emotional I was while singing, trying so hard (for her vocal tone to get back) because I wanted it to be perfect not only for those who were watching but also for my loved ones who supported me throughout the years.”
This time, Juris is more careful in the preparations with some changes being made to the concert.
“We added some songs. Basically, if you are in the concert, you get the idea of how everything started through songs. Even before I became a singer, there are songs that tell the story of how I started. And from what we learned from the first (show), it’s too long and from the feedback, the audience wants something na hindi sila mapapagod. They go there earlier and they want it to start on time so gusto rin namin na di sila mapagod at uuwi sila na punong puno ng saya from the concert.” Juris is certain the audience will get to see and hear different styles and different tastes in the repertoire.
Juris said that Ice, apart from being a special guest, is also the stage director. The two have been friends since their Sessionista days in ASAP. They both wrote the song titled ‘Di Lang Ikaw which Ice also produced for the first time.
Juris is thankful that her fans continue to support her despite the emergence of new singers. She went on a temporary hiatus after giving birth to her and husband Gavin Lim’s two children, Giddy and Geordi. She shared that her eldest was only nine months old when she became pregnant again with their youngest.
(Tickets to Juris The Repeat are priced at P5,000, SSVIP; P3,500, SVIP; P3,000, VIP; P2,500, Gold; P2,000, Silver; and P1,000, Bronze.)