Regine, Jaya stage Independent Women at PICC

Independence is a virtue, alright. But for women in a macho society, it could be a liability. Independent women are usually seen as intimidating. That’s why only the bravest of men muster enough courage to get intimate with them.

Regine Velasquez and Jaya, however, just shrug their shoulders over this. The two even revel in their independence, taking pride in it the way they beam with justifiable joy whenever their powerful voices earn rave reviews.

Of the two, it is US-bred Jaya who comes out as the more driven about her independence. Married to American musician Andrew Buffington, Jaya was reared by mom Elizabeth Ramsey in the culture of independence.

"All my mom’s boyfriends were handsome," Jaya relates. "It’s because my mom told me, "We’re already like this (physically). Why put ourselves down further?"

Elizabeth, in other words, preached the gospel of self-help – a sister of independence, to her gifted daughter.

Regine, on the other hand, concedes she is independent. But she can also be submissive to the right guy, the one she will love. Still a Bulakeña at heart, Regine relates that while she has a career (a flourishing one at that), she is open to serving her future husband like a dutiful wife should.

The two friends agree however, that one need not be as financially sufficient as they are to be independent, the virtue coming as it does, from a state of the mind, a can-do attitude money does not dictate.

Together, the explosive team-up of Regine and Jaya will translate what the word "independence" means in song as they mount a pre-Valentine show dubbed as, that’s it, Independent Women, at the PICC Plenary Hall on Feb. 10, 8 p.m.

Aside from songs about self-worth and personal freedom, the show will have a generous dose of romance as Regine and Jaya sing about relationships that make the heart grow fonder.

Musical director is Marc Lopez with The Opera providing backup vocals. The back-to-back concert (Regine directed Jaya in her Crossover tour series) is staged by Maxi-Media International and directed by Rico Mortel.