Singer and former politician Roselle Nava feels so blessed to have hit songs that people know to this day. She is proud that other singers like Gigi de Lana revived her hit, Bakit Nga Ba Mahal Kita? and introduced the song to a whole new generation of music lovers.
“I’m thankful that I’m given this opportunity and chance to be able to share my music and something that I really, really love, enjoy and be appreciated,” said the multi-platinum artist. “I’m thankful to everyone who continue(s) to love and patronize us through the years, from before until now.”
Roselle has undoubtedly made a name for herself in showbiz, although she is not as active as before in the business lately, as she has prioritized her family. She is married to Allen Ford Tan and they have two, young sons.
“I am so lucky and blessed because even though I am no longer that active, my songs, they continue to live on and were even passed on to the next generation,” Roselle said. “I’m really thankful and I really appreciate that our songs are still very much alive in karaoke.”
“Up to this day, there are people who approach me and tell me, ‘I sing your songs.’ I find that a blessing and I’m so thankful that we were given a chance to sing such beautiful songs with collaborations with composers, arrangers and other singers, as well,” she continued.
“It’s perfect combination that the right song, right singer. I hope they will get to sing our songs for a long time. They give our songs new flavor through the years, new treatment.”
Tagged as the “Sentimental Diva,” Roselle took a break from showbiz when she also ventured into politics. After nine years of being a councilor in Parañaque, she passed on the task to her husband, who successfully ran in in 2019.
Roselle will join her fellow OPM hitmakers Randy Santiago, Raymond Lauchengco, Gino Padilla and Geneva Cruz in Axel (Accelerate) PAF (Philippine Air Force), a concert at The Theatre at Solaire on June 23.
To be held in time for the 76th anniversary of the PAF, the concert is a benefit for the PAF Welfare Fund and the PAF Officers’ Ladies Club Educational Assistance Program. At the helm is Calvin Murphy Neria.
Although the artists will sing their respective hits in the concert, there will be more production numbers that they will render as duets, trio, quartet and all five of them (quintet).
“So, we can give the audience something unexpected,” Roselle said. “We’ve been performing since the ‘90s and the gentlemen have been singing since the ‘80s. For the show, we are breaking away from the mold without losing our individual identities.”
A mother of two boys — Andre Rafael (Rafa), 10, and Alejandro Ramon (Ram), eight — Roselle will not mind if any of her sons follows in her footsteps and also embarks on a singing career.
In fact, her eldest became a contestant in The Voice Kids that concluded last May. “I was the one who pushed him to join,” the mom shared. “He was forced to good to join, so he will develop his passion and love for music even at a very young age.”
“He’s excited what will happen to his singing. What’s next for him? I simply told him to take it easy and what’s important is to enjoy what he does. That’s what matters. He was thankful that I encouraged him. He learned a lot and witnessed a lot,” she said.
She will not hinder her sons in case any of them gets inclined towards showbiz. “I entered showbiz when I was still young and I had so many opportunities then,” Roselle said. “But I was able to finish my schooling.”
She graduated from De La Salle University (DLSU) with a degree in Marketing.
“I am open to my children trying it out in showbiz,” Roselle said. “It really depends on them. If they like, I will support them. If they don’t, I will not force them.”
Among the young artists or groups today, Roselle admires SB19. “They can perform different genres and they really have such beautiful songs. They also write good songs,” she said.
Roselle cannot be thankful enough that there are good singers who have been reviving her songs lately. It warms Roselle’s heart when young artists reimagine her hits.
“I’m really, really glad there are young artists who relive my hits for the next generation,” Roselle admitted. “I will forever be grateful.”