Jaya (singer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jaya
Born	Maria Luisa Ramsey Kagahastian (1970-03-21) March 21, 1970 (age 55)
Other names	Jaya Ramsey
Occupation	Singer actress
Years active	1989–present
Spouse(s)	Andrew Buffington ​ ​ (m. 1998; div. 2001)​ Gary Gotidoc ​ ​ (m. 2006)​
Children	2
Musical career
Genres	Soul pop R&B OPM jazz Gospel scat freestyle
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Labels	LMR (1989) VIVA (1996–2005) GMA (2007–2011) Universal Records (2011–2014) Star Music (2016–2021)

Maria Luisa Ramsey Kagahastian (born March 21, 1970), known as Jaya, is a famous Filipino singer, actress, and TV star. People call her the "Queen of Soul" in the Philippines. She is known for her deep voice and soulful singing style.

Jaya used to work for GMA Network. Later, she moved to ABS-CBN. There, she became a main judge for the Tawag ng Tanghalan singing contest. This contest is part of the TV show It's Showtime. She also performed on the show ASAP.

Jaya was the second Filipino singer to have a song on the US music charts. Her first song, "If You Leave Me Now," reached number 44 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. She also acted in a musical called Rama at Sita in 1999. She played the role of Surpanakha in this play.

Early Life and Music Journey

Maria Luisa Ramsey Kagahastian was born on March 21, 1970. Her mother was Elizabeth Ramsey, a well-known Filipino comedian and singer. Jaya's father was Reynaldo Kagahastian. Her parents separated when she was young.

Jaya started in showbiz when she was just ten years old. She was a backup dancer for her mother. By age 12, she was a backup singer for many shows. She began singing solo in 1982, using the name Louise Ramsey. She did not finish high school in the Philippines. This was because she was very busy performing as a child. Even so, she got good grades and was once elected class president.

Moving to the United States

In June 1985, Jaya and her mother moved to the United States. She continued to sing solo there. She performed with other Filipino artists. Life was not easy for them as they moved around California. She went to John Marshall High School in Los Angeles. After finishing high school in 1988, she moved to New York. She became a backup singer for the musician Stevie B.

Jaya's Singing Career

First Steps in the U.S.

After high school, Jaya became a backup singer for Stevie B. In 1989, she got the name "Jaya." She signed a record deal with Stevie B's music label. Her first album, also called Jaya, was released in the US. It had many dance songs.

Her first song, "If You Leave Me Now," became popular in discos. It appeared on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in October 1989. The song stayed on the chart for 26 weeks. It reached number 44 in February 1990. This was a long time for a song to stay on the chart. It was a top 10 hit in some places.

Jaya's next song, "One Kiss Per Minute," was a small dance hit. But it did not make it onto the main pop chart.

Success in the Philippines

The year 1995 was a big change for Jaya's music career. Pilita Corrales, a famous Filipino singer, heard Jaya sing. Pilita asked Jaya if she wanted to return to Manila and record an album. Jaya agreed. She went back to the Philippines and signed with Viva Records in March 1995.

Jaya became very popular when Filipinos heard her soulful songs in 1996. Her first album with Viva Records sold nine times platinum. This means it sold 360,000 copies. One platinum award means 40,000 copies sold. She also won the 1996 Metropop Song Festival. She sang "Sometimes You Just Know."

In 1997, she released her second album in the Philippines, In the Raw. She also won Best Interpreter at the Asia Song Festival in Hong Kong. She sang "You Lift Me Up." This song also won the Best Song award.

Her album Magpakailan pa Man was also very successful. It sold five times platinum. She released a Christmas album called Kung Kailan Pasko. It had traditional Christmas songs and new ones.

In 1999, another record label released Jaya's A Love Album. This album was first released in Japan in 1992. It had songs from her earlier US album and new songs for Japan. Jaya also released her fifth album in the Philippines, Honesty. This album had a more personal style. It also included modern R&B songs.

After five years, she released her first greatest hits album, Five. It included a duet with Regine Velasquez. In 1999, Jaya also acted in her first musical, Rama at Sita. She played the character Soorphanaka. Also in 1999, Jaya became a main host on the TV show SOP.

New Music and Concerts

In 2001, Jaya released her album Unleashed. She sang songs in a calm and confident way. She covered songs like "Love Hurts" and "Love." Also that year, she released her first live album, Jaya Live at the Araneta. This album had many performances of American hits. It also featured guest artists like Regine Velasquez.

After a break, Jaya released her seventh album, Fall in Love Again. Many friends helped her make this album. In 2007, she released her eighth album, Cool Change, with a new record label. It had covers of international songs. Her song "Is It Over?" won a Platinum award in 2009.

After that, she released her ninth album, Real.Love.Stories.. It had 14 love songs. Jaya also joined a charity song called Kaya Natin Ito!. This song helped victims of typhoons.

New Beginnings in TV

On March 1, 2010, Jaya acted in her first TV show, Diva. She played a supporting role. Her own show, BandaOke, aired until March 2010. She was also a main host on the TV show Party Pilipinas. Jaya won an award for Best Female Vocal Performance in 2010.

Later Years and Return to ABS-CBN

Jaya released an album called All Souled Out in 2011. It had 12 classic R&B and jazz songs. She was also one of the main judges on the TV show Sunday All Stars.

In July 2016, Jaya returned to ABS-CBN. She became a judge on the Tawag ng Tanghalan segment of It's Showtime. She also performed on ASAP. In November 2016, Jaya was a guest performer in the concert DIVAS Live in Manila.

Personal Life

In 1998, Jaya married musician Andrew Buffington. They later divorced. In May 2006, Jaya married her second husband, Gary Gotidoc. She gave birth to her daughter, Sabriya, when she was 36. On June 27, 2009, she had her son, Dylan. In July 2021, Jaya and her family moved to the United States.

Discography

Studio albums

• Jaya (1989)
• Jaya (1996)
• In the Raw (1997)
• Kung Kailan Pasko (1998)
• Honesty (1999)
• Jaya (2000)
• Unleashed (2001)
• Fall in Love Again (2005)
• Cool Change (2007)
• Real. Love. Stories. (2009)
• All Souled Out (2011)
• Queen of Soul (2019)

Live album

• Live at the Araneta (2001)

Compilation albums

• A Love Album (1999)
• Five (2000)
• Silver Series (2006)
• 18 Greatest Hits (2009)

EPs

• If You Leave Me Now (1989)
• One Kiss Per Minute (1990)
• Shadow Love (1990)
• When I'm Available (1993)
• Skindo-Le-Le (2001)

Soundtrack

• I Have A Lover (performer: "Hanggang Dito Na Lang") (October 21, 2019)
• S6parados (performer: "Isang Araw") (August 3, 2014)
• Pangako... Ikaw lang (performer: "Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang") (July 4, 2001)
• Abandonada (performer: "Kung Wala Na") (November 29, 2000)
• Dito sa puso ko (performer: "Dito Sa Puso Ko") (1999)
• Dahil Ba Sa Kanya (performer: "Dahil Ba Sa Kanya") (May 13, 1998)
• Wala na bang pag-ibig (performer: "Wala na bang pag-ibig") (October 22, 1997)
• Laging Naro'n Ka (performer: "Laging Naro'n Ka") (April 9, 1997)
• Hanggang Ngayo'y Mahal (performer: "Hanggang Ngayo'y Mahal") (1997)
• Dahil Tanging Ikaw (performer: "Dahil Tanging Ikaw") (1996)

Filmography

Television

Films

• Pangako... Ikaw Lang (2001, Viva Films)
• Enteng Kabisote 10 and The Abangers (2016, Octoarts Films, M-Zet Productions, APT Entertainment)

Theatre credits

• Rama at Sita (1999)

Awards

See also

In Spanish: Jaya (cantante) para niños