Singer Jaya transferred to ABS-CBN as she debuted in the noontime show “It’s Showtime!” and joined the judges panel for the “Tawag ng Tanghalan” segment.
“This all happens so fast. Gusto kong magpasalamat sa ‘It’s Showtime’ for including me. I’m just so excited to be here on ABS-CBN. I’m excited to start my new life here,” said Jaya, as she sang a medley of her hits in the noontime program.
Jaya appeared in the Kapamilya network on Saturday, July 17, one day after the primetime series “My Poor Señorita” ended its run on GMA 7. The Kapuso series starred her close friend Regine Velasquez-Alcasid.
On July 16, Jaya posted a tweet: “Oh my 1st day of work ulit!”
It was in 2015 when rumors said that Jaya was set to leave GMA 7 when she auditioned for “Your Face Sounds Familiar,” according to PEP. She did not pass the audition and decided to stay in Kapuso network.
Jaya, 45, whose real name is Maria Luisa Ramsey, joins Yeng Constantino, Rey Valera and Erik Santos in the judges panel.
The singer, dubbed “Soul Queen of the Philippines, has been in showbiz for more than 25 years now.
Jaya is the daughter of the late comedienne Elizabeth Ramsey. She started at the age of 10 a backup singer for her mother.
She is the first Filipino artist to hit the prestigious Billboard Dance chart for her single “If You Leave Me No” in 1989.
Jaya was formerly married to musician Andrew Buffington in 1998. Three years later, she filed for divorce. Then she married Gary Gotidoc. They have two children Sabriya and Dylan.
The singer has recorded 12 albums and 33 singles. Among her hit songs include “Dahil Tanging Ikaw,” Laging Na’ron Ka,” Dahil Ba sa Kanya?”, “Wala Na Bang Pag-Ibig?,” among others.