Queen of Soul Jaya Ramsey announced that she’s going back to the United States after the pandemic has taken a toll on her family.
She made the revelation via virtual press conference for the online show Grateful Tuesdays, which premiered on YouTube on March 9.
Jaya was born in the Philippines, but when her parents separated, she and her mother decided to leave for the US in 1985, and it there that she did solo singing stints.
When Jaya had to answer the reason for wanting to go back to the US, the singer replied that she wants to rest.
“Sa ngayon po gusto ko po sana kahit papaano magpahinga. Hindi ko alam ‘yung feeling ng pahinga. But still with some type of work. Ito nga, sabi ko, ang saya. Natiyempo ‘yung online. Pwedeng gawin ‘yan. Maraming pwedeng gawin sa online source,” she said.
Gary Gotidoc, Jaya’s husband, had left for the US. Her decision to leaving the country was previously planned (even the pandemic).
“Sa akin po ‘yung pag-alis, hindi po ito agad-agad. Pero plano po ‘yun talaga kasi nauna na po ‘yung asawa ko,” said Jaya.
She further explained that she wanted to start something fresh amid the pandemic.
“A lot of people would understand [that] I’m 51 in a few weeks and napakarami ko pa ding gustong gawin na ibang bagay, not just singing. And right now, everything is kind of slow and down. So good opportunity to start something fresh.”
Jaya is one of the iconic Filipino singers, known for her dark and big voice.
Her latest album Queen of Soul won as the Album of the Year in PMPC Star Awards for Music 2019.
Before transferring to the ABS-CBN network in 2016, Jaya was with the Kapuso network for 16 years. She is currently part of the jury on It’s Showtime‘s Tawag ng Tanghalan.
