Sitti is an exceptional singer. Asians,especially Philippines can be proud to have such a beautiful singer with beautiful voice that makes the world of jazz more colorful and delightful. She preserved bossa to the modern age. With her, we all can be sure that bossa will still alive for long years to come.

Sitti is known to have a solid fanbase called “The SiTTiZens”. She has been in the music business for almost three years, and already has many achievements. Her albums have already turned multi platinum, gold and platinum. She has already toured to the US, Australia, Canada, Malaysia and so on, not to mention many performances in Philippine itself. She has fans from all over the world and the fans are keep on growing bigger and bigger. With all these huge success, it’s interesting to see how she will be in the future.

One big birthday concert of Sitti is coming. The concert called “FIRST” that will be held at The Captain’s Bar Mandarin Oriental Manila, Makati City on November 29th 2008 starting at 8 PM local time. Christian Bautista will be the special guest star for that concert. Recently Sitti has also released her new album, her first Christmas album called “Ngayong Pasko”, a beautiful album with beautiful arrangement and beautiful vocal of Sitti.

Here’s an interview with Sitti, with a help from mJ Juco from Tangerine Skies Artist PR Entertainment Gateway. Let’s get deeper with Sitti!

How does it feel to reach this stage of success at such a young age?
I actually do not think in terms of success. I just try to do good at each gig that I have, strike a healthy balance between enjoying myself and entertaining all those who come to watch.

From what I know, you have a very solid fans called “The SiTTiZens”. How much do they motivate you through your career? Do you hang out with them often?
They motivate me a lot – their support and friendship helps and inspires me to go on and keep moving forward. Yes, we get to hang out often, especially when we have projects and whatnot. We also get to hangout and take lotsa pictures after my gigs.

You won two beauty pageant awards: Miss Visayas 2001 in the Miss Travel Girl Pageant, and first runner-up prize in the search of “Miss Silka”, where you also won both Miss Friendship and Best in Swimwear. With these achievements, I believe, you’ll reach success in modelling. Why did you choose to focus on being a singer in the first place?
Um, actually, when I joined those beauty pageants I was just following the wishes of my mom, uncle, and former manager, hahaha! Singing is really my passion; it is where I am happiest at. I can’t say the same for modeling or the beauty pageants, hehehe.

I think you’ve preserved bossa nova to survive in Asia. And yes, you are so perfect in it. There are not so many asian musicians who choose bossa nova as their main genre. Why did you choose such?
I was on my 3rd year in college when we decided to focus on bossa nova. It was a common decision for me, former manager, the band, musician friends – who all say my voice is well suited for the genre. And it is really a very enjoyable kind of music.

I really love your version of “Bridges”. It’s one of my all time favorites, and I personally think your version is one of the best renditions ever. I really like the beginning of the song, where you sang in Portuguese and started it slow. Please tell us about the concept and the making of the song.
It was Mr. Chito Cervanez who did the arrangement for the song. We kinda based it on Kevyn Lettau’s version but added more instrumentation as the song progressed. It also features Marcy Estrella on the harmonica. Thanks Andy! I’m glad you liked it. =)

The first album was a major success, it reached double platinum, and I believe it gave you a really solid start for your career. Followed by albums that also reached big success, and now here you are as the undisputed “Queen of Bossa Nova”. Are you satisfied by it yet?
When it comes to satisfaction and contentment, I can say I am… I’m very happy and very grateful with how things have worked out for me, gifts from our only Father up there. If there was anything else I wanted, I believe that would be just to keep on making more albums, more original songs, and to grow as a person and as an artist.

As Christmas is approaching, and since you’ve just recently recorded a beautiful Christmas album, I believe Christmas is special to you. What does Christmas mean to you?
Christmas is a time of thanksgiving and appreciation… Primarily of course to our Father God who gave Jesus, to remember the sacrifice He did just for us, as an example for us on how to live our lives on this earth. It is a time when love and sharing and smiles abound and are exchanged among everyone.

Let’s now talk about your new album, “Ngayong Pasko”. It’s a really beautiful album to make Christmas merrier than ever. Can you tell us some “behind the scenes” tidbits during the recording of the album?
Hmm. I was kinda going through a rough stage in my life at the time when we were recording. Usually I do not have that much trouble bringing up necessary emotions, or putting myself into the song. But in this album I just wasn’t getting it! We had to resort to wine to relax me and let the creativity, the interpretation come out naturally as what’s meant to be, haha. Phew!

What is the message you want to deliver with the “Ngayong Pasko” album?
A message of hope for a brighter, more harmonious future; a wish for peace and goodwill and love for everyone especially on Christmas.

In “Ngayong Pasko”, you still have a couple of bossas in there, but you also tried mainstream and even swing. It’s something new. Why did you decide to try some new styles for the album?
It was a common decision between me and Warner Music Philippines to inject a different and new me on this album, so that we will be able to offer something new to our listeners. It’s the way to go I believe – to innovate and introduce new sounds. I’m not saying this was forced on me, for in reality in my early days as a lounge singer, I was into swing and standards and pop jazz already; these are genres I also thoroughly enjoy. Also, it’s kind of an experiment on our side to see how the listeners would take it.

Oh yeah, I’ve noticed that you’re going to have a birthday concert at The Captain’s Bar in Mandarin Oriental Manila, entitled “FIRST”. Why “FIRST”? Can you tell us a bit about this particular concert?
Well, there are a lot of firsts happening for me in this concert. It’s gonna be my first time to hold a show on the date of my actual birthday. It’s also the first time we’re gonna be like charting my career as a singer – the show is divided into three parts: past, present, future. Past would feature songs I used to sing on my lounge singer days. Present, that would be of course, bossa nova. And the future – as I perceive it.

You’ve been uber busy with so many live peformances and gigs ever since. How do you cope up with those tight schedules?
I just rest whenever I can. I’m far from complaining – God has been so good to me. I just make sure to rest, have time for myself, family and social life. I can say I’m enjoying balance right now and yes, I’m loving my schedule. =)

You have A LOT of fans in Indonesia, too. Many of us wish to see you perform here as well. Any plans of an Indonesian Tour? =)
Wow really? I’m not aware of that. But if you say so… then thank you. =) I do wish I can come there someday and meet you all and share my music with you.

Any message to all your fans / SiTTiZens in Indonesia?
Thank you for your support… and I really hope I can meet you all there someday. I hope my music helps you in some way. Thank you! Spread the bossa love! =)

Here are some more beautiful pictures taken from the concert

* To know more about “Philippines’ Queen of Bossa Nova”, SITTI, kindly visit these sites:
http://www.sittionline.com/
http://sittionline.multiply.com/

* Photos courtesy of Wilson S. Chua, Mari ArQuiza, Jason Liao and Ping Aquino

Special thanks to mJ Juco from Tangerine Skies Artist PR Entertainment Gateway

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