JAYA ON FAMILY, FAITH AND PLANS TO 'START AGAIN' IN PHL

Jaya may have left the Philippines for the United States a few years ago, but she admits her heart never really said goodbye.

- By Nathalie Tomaada

JAYA MAY HAVE LEFT THE PHILIPPINES FOR THE UNITED STATES a few years ago, but she admits her heart never really said goodbye.

"No (it wasn't forever goodbye). Exit, magplano, mag-establish something for my kids. It was really for them, a sacrifice for them," shared the country's "queen of soul," who sold their family home when they migrated to the US in 2021.

To her surprise, the veteran singer remained just as busy abroad, never running out of singing gigs across the US and North America. Now, however, her sights are set on her home country again. Not to return to her old showbiz grind, but to reestablish local roots with a new family home.

"My plan is to buy a small family home and start again... Feeling ko gusto ko yung medyo malayo sa siyudad, tahimik. Parang San Pedro or pa-Laguna or Cavite area," she told The Philippine STAR in between promotional activities for her comeback concert "All Hits" happening tonight at 7 at the New Frontier Theater in Cubao, with tickets available via ticknet.com.ph. Show is produced by L-Squared Productions and Cornerstone Entertainment.

Meanwhile, her priority remains her family and children, who are each discovering their own passions and talents. Her daughter Sabriya, in particular, has taken an interest in music like her mom. She will officially debut in the local music scene at Jaya's "All Hits" concert tonight.

Sabriya's musical path reminded Jaya of her late mother, Elizabeth Ramsey, who had always sensed that music would be in her granddaughter's future.